Prevalence of severe adverse events in health professionals after receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in Togo, March 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19 vaccines can cause adverse events (AE) that can lead to increased hesitation or fear of vaccination. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of severe adverse events (SAEs) and their associated factors among health professionals (HPs) vaccinated with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine in Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13th to 19th, 2021 in Togo among HPs who received the first dose of vaccine. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination. SAEs were defined as one resulting in hospitalization, medical consultation, or inability to work the day following the administration of the vaccine. Regression analysis were performed to assess factors associated with SAEs. Results: A total of 1,639 HP (70.2% male) with a median age [IQR] of 32 years [27-40] participated. At least one AE was reported among 71.6% (95%CI= [69.3-73.8]). The most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site (91.0%), asthenia (74.3%), headache (68.7%), soreness (55.0%), and fever (47.5%). An increased libido was also reported in 3.0% of HP. Among HP who experienced AEs, 18.2% were unable to go to work the day after vaccination, 10.5% consulted a medical doctor, and 1.0% were hospitalized. The SAE prevalence was 23.8% (95%CI= [21.8-25.9]). Being <30 years (aOR=5.54; p<0.001), or 30-49 years (aOR=3.62; p<0.001) and being female (aOR=1.97; p<0.001) were associated with SAEs. Conclusion: Despite the occurrence of SAEs, current data collected in Togo about adverse events are reassuring with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine and how they could be managed. Keywords: Severe adverse event, COVID-19, vaccine, prevalence, health professionals, Togo.

Prevalence of COVID‐19 vaccine reactogenicity among Bangladeshi physicians

“…These findings are consistent with those of previous studies on the vaccination of HCPs. The most common reactogenicity reported in our study coincides with other studies conducted among HCPs 26 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 42 and studies conducted among the general population. 19 , 43 As in other studies, 26 , 27 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 42 , 44 most of our respondents experienced mild symptoms that were self‐limiting and resolved within a few days (1–3 days).…”

“…The most common reactogenicity reported in our study coincides with other studies conducted among HCPs 26 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 42 and studies conducted among the general population. 19 , 43 As in other studies, 26 , 27 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 42 , 44 most of our respondents experienced mild symptoms that were self‐limiting and resolved within a few days (1–3 days). Approximately half of the respondents took acetaminophen to treat symptoms, which is more than reported in other recent studies.…”

“…Two studies of the general population in Bangladesh at approximately the same time as the current study reported similar prevalence of adverse events: 50.9% in February‐June 2021 24 and 54.1% in May 2021 25 . Compared to Bangladesh, higher vaccine reactogenicity has been reported in studies of HCPs in India (65.9% 26 and 69.7% 27 ), South Korea (99.8%, 28 98.1%, 29 90.9%, 30 and 93% 31 ), Germany, Czech Republic (94.6%), 32 Togo (71.6%), 33 Nepal (85%), 34 Saudi Arabia (96.1%), 35 Ethiopia (68.4%) 36 and Ghana (80.7%) 37 . However, lower rates were found among HCPs in two studies from India—40% 38 and 56.9% 22 .…”

Adverse events of Oxford/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia

“…The magnitude of occurrence of at least one adverse event following the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine varies in differ-ent studies. Studies from India report occurrence of 57% and 69.7% ( Kamal et al, 2021 ;Inbaraj et al, 2021 ) and in Togo 71.6% ( Konu et al, 2021 ), which is consistent with the finding of this study (68.58%), however, the number is much higher (90%) in Korean studies ( Jeon et al, 2021 ;Bae et al, 2021 ). One potential reason may be ethnic differences, as there is some evidence that ethnic differences predict vulnerability for adverse drug reactions in general ( Baehr et al, 2015 ).…”