Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in the vaccinated population of Vlora district; evidence of the efficacy and safety of the vaccines applied

Majlinda Zahaj, Aurela Saliaj, Vasilika Prifti, Sonila Nikaj, Evis Allushi, Denada Selfo, Emirjona Kicaj, Stiliana Brokaj, Krenar Malaj

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccines; booster dose; side effects, challenges

Background:

COVID-19 vaccination has substantially altered the course of the pandemic, saving tens of millions of lives globally, and the booster doses are crucial in restoring vaccine effectiveness.

Research questions:

What are the challenges of Vlora citizens during the initiation of vaccination process?
What are the factors that affect this process?

Method:

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Vlora, Albania. The participants were interviewed about their perception on immunization process, side effects and the impact of vaccine on their chronic diseases.

Results:

The prevalence of continuing the vaccination process was 82%. Covid-19 infection is significantly reduced after each vaccination dose. Pain of injection site (86.4%), muscle pain (8.5%), tiredness (6.3%), headache (4%), fever (2.8%) and others (10%) were the most reported side effects.

Conclusions:

Regardless of side effects and the presence of chronic diseases, most individuals are willing to continue the process of vaccination up to the second dose. This decision seems to be significantly impacted by the effectiveness of vaccination on preventing COVID-19 infection, type of administered vaccine and perception that the side effects severity lessens in the booster doses. The vaccination process has high rate of acceptance for the first and second dose. This study found that the participants decided to get further doses depending on the severity of previous side effects experienced and level of protection from COVID-19 infection.

Points for discussion:

Continuation of the vaccination process, what was done by the health care workers

How do we relate to the challenges encountered, in order to better understand the population perceptions toward the future of infectious diseases

#123