The
COVID-19 pandemic has brought vaccination to the forefront of global attention. The Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccine, an
mRNA vaccine that encodes the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
glycoprotein spike, has emerged as a significant player in global vaccination efforts. It is generated from
lipid nanoparticles and has been subject to various regulatory approvals and authorizations. The United Kingdom became the first country to approve the Pfizer
vaccine on December 2, 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer
vaccine on December 31, 2020, facilitating its production and distribution worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, as well as globally, concerns about the safety and effectiveness of
vaccines have been raised. Several studies have reported side effects of the Pfizer
vaccine, including rare conditions such as
myocarditis. In our study, we aimed to systematically investigate the symptoms experienced after vaccination, considering the administration of three doses. We also explored the duration of these symptoms and whether they necessitated hospital visits, primary healthcare interventions, or resolved on their own. Our study employed an online cross-sectional design conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, utilizing an online self-reported survey. A total of 332 participants who met the predefined criteria were recruited for the study. The rate of
COVID-19 infection after 1st and 2nd doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca
vaccines was significantly lower in middle-age subgroups (31-45 years), in comparison to young (18-30 years) and upper middle-age subgroups (46-60 years). For the AstraZeneca
vaccine, the
infection rate in the middle-aged group was higher after 2nd dose as compared to its 1st dose. Overall, greater
infection rates were observed in upper-middle-aged subgroups with all doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca
vaccines.
Fatigue and
fever were the most common generalized side effects while redness/swelling/
pain at the injection site,
muscle pain, and
joint pain were the most important local side-effects.
Fatigue,
fever,
muscle pain, and
joint pain were significantly common after 1st dose of Pfizer and
fever was a significant side effect after 2nd dose of Pfizer in comparison to AstraZeneca doses. Understanding the spectrum of side effects associated with the
vaccine is crucial for healthcare professionals and individuals receiving the
vaccine, as it enables informed decision-making and appropriate management of potential adverse reactions.