The prevalence of potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccinated Iraqi people: a prospective cross-sectional study

• Published in: Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research 2024-10, Vol.42 (3), p.1221-1229
• Main Authors: Salman, Hamzah Abdulrahman, Hussin, Amer M., Hassan, Arshad Hamed, Al Sabbah, Haleama, Al-Khafaji, Khattab
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Coronaviruses; COVID-19 vaccines; Cross-sectional studies; Fever; Gender; Headaches; Infections; Nausea; Population; Sample size; Side effects; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1985-9899; 2536-0051
• DOI: 10.1108/AGJSR-04-2023-0144

PurposeSeveral types of vaccines were manufactured by different companies to control and stop the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to identify the postvaccination side effects of the three different vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm) among the Iraqi population in Baghdad, Iraq.Design/methodology/approachA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq from May 2021 to March 2022. An online-based questionnaire was used to collect the data through social media, i.e. WhatsApp, Messenger and Google Classroom. A total of 737 vaccinated participants using a snowball sampling methodology were used in this study.FindingsAmong the study population, 328 (44.50%) were males and 409 (55.50%) were females. The highest age group that participated was 18–30 years (79.10%) followed by 31–40 years (12.10%), 41–50 years (4.20%), 51–60 years (2.40%) and 60 = years (2.20%). However, 58.8% of the participants received Pfizer-BioNTech, 23.7% received the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine and 17.5% received Sinopharm. Out of the total participants, 56.60% showed postvaccination side-effects such as fever, headache, fatigue and dizziness, while 33% showed no side-effects and 10.40% were not sure. Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines were the most vaccines prevalent of side-effects.Originality/valueThe majority of the side reactions associated with the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were manageable and self-limiting, including fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain and dizziness, compared to the Sinopharm vaccines, which reported lower postside effects.