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Lim SM, Chan HC, Santosa A, Quek SC, Liu EHC, Somani J. Safety and side effect profile of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination among
healthcare workers: A tertiary hospital experience in Singapore. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2021. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Vaccination remains a key strategy to living endemically with COVID-19. The
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was first granted interim authorisation for use in Singapore in
December 2020. With overseas studies published about the safety and side effect profiles of mRNA
COVID-19 vaccines focusing mainly on non-Asian populations, we described the side effects of
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination experienced by the healthcare workers (HCWs) in a tertiary
hospital in Singapore.
Methods: Data were obtained from the Occupational Health Clinic (OHC) at the National University
Hospital in Singapore, which monitored staff for any adverse effects within 30 minutes postvaccination
on-site and any adverse effects after that. A cross-sectional study among the vaccinated
HCWs was conducted using an online survey, which established basic demographics, histories of
allergies or atopic disorders, and adverse events encountered after dose 1 and dose 2 of vaccination.
Results: No anaphylaxis was reported. Most common symptom was giddiness (32.7%) experienced
by HCWs within 30 minutes. Adverse events attended post-vaccination by OHC were generally mild
and self-limiting. From the survey, odds of experiencing an adverse event after dose 2 was significantly
higher than after the first dose, especially for fever/chills (odds ratio [OR] 22.5). Fever/chills, injection
site reactions, headache, aches and pains, and feeling unwell were significantly more common in
HCWs below 60 years compared to those ≥60 years. An allergy to food (adjusted OR 2.7) and a history
of eczema/sensitive skin (adjusted OR 2.6) were associated with a skin reaction not at injection site.
Conclusion: The side effects experienced after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are generally
self-limiting and mild, with no anaphylaxis reported.
Keywords: COVID-19, infectious diseases, occupational medicine, side effects, vaccination
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