Evaluation of healthcare workers first vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine in Northwest Syria Observations of vaccine side effects in emergency departments

Aim 
In this study, we investigated the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to health workers in northwestern Syria. 
Materials and Methods 
The study retrospectively analyzed data from 260 health care workers who received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine between May 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, in the northwestern Syria region by searching the Syrian Immunization Group database (SIG) and patient records from hospital or health center emergency departments. 
Results 
The mean age of health care personnel was 35.86∓8.03 years, and 9.6% were women. Of those who participated in the study, 5.8% had comorbid diseases. 109 (42.1%) were vaccinated in hospital emergency departments and 151 (57.9%) in health center emergency departments. It was found that 63.5% (n=165) of those vaccinated experienced adverse reactions to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. The most common adverse reactions to the vaccine were fever in 128 individuals (49%), fatigue in 89 individuals (55.6%), headache in 54 individuals (20.8%), weakness in 53 individuals (20.4%), joint pain in 50 individuals (19.2%), injection site pain in 47 individuals (18.1%), and muscle pain in 33 individuals (12.7%). The side effects noted were classified as severe, moderate, and mild. Of these, fever 15.4% (n=40), fatigue 11.9% (n=31), and headache 9.6% (n=25) were the most common severe side effects. It was found that 14 (5.4%) individuals required hospitalization and medical treatment due to adverse reactions to the vaccine. When evaluating the side effects observed in hospitalized patients, the most common side effects were fever, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, and weakness. 
Conclusion 
It was concluded that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine administered to health care workers in northwestern Syria had no fatal side effects and that fewer side effects were generally observed in this study compared with the literature. Research on side effects through independent studies will help address global and regional concerns about vaccines.