The Frequency and Severity of Post-vaccination Reactions after Vaccination against COVID-19 in Sudanese Health Workers in Khartoum Governmental Hospitals, 2021

COVID-19 has been ascribed to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations varying from asymptomatic, minor flu-like symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia and death. Vaccinations against COVID-19 are counted to be of great significance to prevent and control COVID-19. This study aims to verify the actual frequency of vaccine reactions after vaccination against COVID-19 and their severity.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2021 in Three of Khartoum’s government hospitals. The study population included Sudanese health workers who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccinations. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 24.

This study covered 200 participants, who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, of them, 129 (64.5%) were female, with a mean age of 33.13 ± 5.860 (mean ± SD) years. The male mean age was 35.59 ± 7.996 years. Pain is the most common local reaction that occurs in participants with 73.0%. Unusual fatigue, fever, and headache showed the most systemic post-vaccination reactions that occurred among participants, with percentages of 56.5%, 43.0%, and 34.5%, respectively. There is an insignificant association between having a previous COVID-19 infection and developing local and systemic post-vaccination reactions. Also, comorbidities appeared to have an insignificant association with developing local or systemic post-vaccination reactions. Systemic post-vaccination reactions showed a significant association with participants need for post-vaccination medical care.

The majority of Sudanese health workers received AstraZeneca Company COVID-19 and showed local and systemic post-vaccination reactions that did not need medical care in most of them. Results provide assurance about the high level of safety of COVID-19 vaccines.