Side Effects Reported by Jordanian Healthcare Workers Who Received COVID-19 Vaccines

Background Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has been surrounded by suspicions and rumors making it necessary to provide the public with accurate reports from trustworthy experts such as healthcare professionals. Methods We distributed a questionnaire in Jordan among physicians, dentists and nurses who received a COVID-19 vaccine to explore the side effects (SE) they encountered after the first or the second dose of one of three vaccines namely: AstraZeneca Vaxzevria (AZ), Pfizer-BioNTeck (PB), and SinoPharm (SP) vaccines. Results A total of 409 professionals participated. Approximately 18% and 31% of participants reported no SE after the first dose and second dose, respectively. The remainder had mostly local side effects related to injection site (74%). Systemic side effects in the form of fatigue (52%), myalgia (44%), headache (42%), and fever (35%) prevailed mainly after the first dose. These were significantly associated with AZ vaccine, and age <= 45 years (p = 0.000 and 0.01, respectively). No serious SE were reported. Conclusions We can conclude that SE of COVID-19 vaccines distributed in Jordan are within the common range known so far for these vaccines. Further studies are needed to include larger sample size and longer follow-up period to monitor possible serious and long-term SE of the vaccines.

Automated summary

The survey conducted among healthcare professionals who received COVID-19 vaccines in Jordan showed that around 18% and 31% reported no side effects after the first and second doses respectively. Most of the side effects were local, while systemic side effects like fatigue, myalgia, headache, and fever were more common after the first dose, particularly associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine and age <= 45 years. No serious side effects were reported, indicating that the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in Jordan are similar to what have been known before. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to monitor potential serious and long-term side effects.