Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine side effects among healthcare workers in Malta

Background COVID-19 vaccination is critical to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from serious infection. The first vaccine approved for emergency use was the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. European countries received their first supplies at the end of December 2020. The European country of Malta started i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of public health 2021-10, Vol.31 (Supplement_3)
Main Authors: Cuschieri, S, Borg, M, Agius, S, Souness, J, Brincat, A, Grech, V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Chills
COVID-19
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Females
Fever
Headache
Health care
Health services
Immunization
Injection
Internet
Joints (anatomy)
Medical personnel
Muscles
Muscular fatigue
Older people
Pain
Parallel Programme
Physicians
Privacy
Public health
Regression analysis
Side effects
Swelling
Vaccination
Vaccines
Vomiting
Workers
Young adults
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Summary:Background COVID-19 vaccination is critical to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from serious infection. The first vaccine approved for emergency use was the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. European countries received their first supplies at the end of December 2020. The European country of Malta started its vaccination roll-out immediately targeting HCWs. The aim of this study was to evaluate side effects. Methods An anonymous online Google Forms survey was disseminated to all HCWs via work e-mail addresses (29th March to 9th April 2021). This gathered demographic data and side-effects regarding pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle/joint pains, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea severity following each dose (Likert scale). Descriptive, comparative, and multiple binary regression analyses were performed. Results There were 1480 responses (response rate 30.30%). The commonest side-effect (SE) was pain at the injection site (88.92% CI95%:87.21-90.42), with the majority reporting it as mild (51%) and moderate (43%). Fatigue reported by 72.97% (CI95%:70.65-75.17), with 42% reporting it as mild and 41% as moderate. Headaches reported by 44.28% (CI95%:41.74-46.80), with 51% claiming to be mild and 34% as moderate. Females had significantly (p =
ISSN:1101-1262
1464-360X
DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.100