Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: need of a reasoned and effective vaccine campaign

Objectives: A strong COVID-19 vaccine campaign is needed to reach the herd immunity and reduce this pandemic infection. Study design: In the Foch Hospital, France, in February 2021, 451 healthcare workers were vaccinated by a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. Methods: Adverse effects were reported to our pharmaco-vigilance circuit, by an online and anonymous questionnaire following the first weeks of the vaccinal campaign to healthcare workers. Results: Two hundred seventy-four (60.8%) of them reported multiple adverse effects. Main adverse effects reported were feverish state/chills (65.7%), fatigue/physical discomfort (62.4%), arthralgia/muscle pain (61.0%) and fever (44.5%). Conclusions: On March 2021 many European countries suspended AstraZeneca vaccine for one week due to safety uncertainty. Thus, confidence in its efficacy is undermined. However, the benefit/risk balance is clearly in favor of vaccination. (C) 2021 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A study conducted in Foch Hospital, France, on 451 healthcare workers who received the AstraZeneca vaccine found that 60.8% reported multiple adverse effects, with fever, fatigue, and muscle pain being the main symptoms. Despite some European countries temporarily suspending the vaccine due to safety concerns, the benefit of vaccination remains evident.