Adverse events following Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine against COVID-19 in population more than 12 years of age, Nepal

Adverse events following Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine

Abstract

Introduction: Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine was started in Nepal for the age group of more than 12 years. This study was conducted to find out the adverse event following immunization with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 at Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS).

Method: This is a descriptive study conducted at PAHS from November to December 2021. The vaccine recipients were called over the phone after 72 hours of receiving the vaccine to find out adverse events following immunization (AEFI). They were inquired about the list of pre-defined AEFI.

Result: A total of 1377(27.4%) individuals among 5014receivingthe first dose and 983(71.4%) of 1377 receiving the second dose were enrolled in the study. Vaccine recipients who had minor AEFI in the first dose were 462(33.6%) and in the second dose were 205(20.9%). The most commonly reported AEFI in both first and second dose was pain which was reported by 377(27.4%) and 97(9.9%) respectively, while fever was the second most common AEFI in both first and second dose reported by 65(4.8%) and 91(9.3%) respectively. There were no severe AEFI reported in both doses of vaccination. Most of the AEFI started within 24 h and subsided within 72 h.

Conclusion: Minor AEFI was reported with the first and second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. There were no severe and serious AEFI reported in this study population.