Evaluating the Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination in Medical Students: Insights from a Private Medical College
Keywords:
COVID-19 vaccines, side effects, medical students, cross-sectional study, SARS-CoV-2Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) became a global pandemic in March 2020, caused by the respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2. It affected more than 4.5 million people worldwide, with individuals presenting various clinical manifestations. Extensive research and experimentation led to the development of vaccines to combat this viral pandemic. However, some individuals who received these vaccines developed various adverse effects.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the incidence of side effects experienced by medical students after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, explore gender-based differences in the frequency of side effects among male and female students, assess the relationship between vaccine types and side effects following vaccination, and compare the frequency of side effects reported after the first and second doses of vaccination.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study design.
Place and Duration: The study was conducted at Wah Medical College, from November 22, 2021, to June 22, 2022. A convenient sampling technique was used.
Methodology: A questionnaire was administered to medical students across all five MBBS classes. The students were briefed on the purpose of the research and allowed to fill out the questionnaire after giving informed consent. They were assured that their information would remain confidential. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Categorical data were summarized using frequency and percentage calculations. The chi-square test was employed to examine the relationships between gender, vaccine type, and adverse effects, with a p-value of <0.05 indicating statistical significance.
Results: Fever, headache, and body aches were the most common adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination. After the first dose, fever was reported in 32.3%, headache in 28.1%, and body aches in 26.8% of students. After the second dose, fever was reported in 25.5%, headache in 22.6%, and body aches in 7.1% of students. Further analysis revealed significant associations between vaccine types and specific adverse effects. Students receiving mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) were more likely to experience fever, cough, and sore throat, while those receiving viral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca) were more likely to report a loss of taste and smell. Additionally, significant associations were found between vaccine types and cardiovascular symptoms, with chest pain and hypertension more frequently reported among students receiving both mRNA and viral vector vaccines. Notably, gender-based differences were observed, with males more commonly reporting loss of taste, while females more frequently experienced swelling and tenderness at the injection site.
Conclusion: The analysis revealed that side effects were more commonly reported after the first dose and among recipients of mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna) and viral vector (AstraZeneca) vaccines. These findings have important implications for researchers and healthcare professionals and may help alleviate concerns about the safety of inactivated vaccines (Sinopharm, Sinovac) in the Pakistani population, which were found to have a relatively mild side effect profile.
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