Adverse effects to the vaccines against COVID-19 in Paraguay in 2021

Abstract

Introduction. Vaccine is one of the most effective public health strategies, however, it can produce adverse effects (AE). In Paraguay, in December 2020, the National Vaccination Plan was launched as part of the control and prevention measures against COVID-19, which contemplates the surveillance of events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization (ESAVI). Objective. to determine the AE of the vaccines against COVID-19 used in Paraguay in 2021. Methodology. Cross-sectional analytical study using Google Forms for a survey disseminated through social networks. Sociodemographic variables, type of vaccine, doses, AE were collected. Data were analyzed with Epi Info^TM, Odds Ratio was calculated with a 95% CI, at a significance level of p value <0.05. Results. A total of 641 people participated in the study (mean age: 27 ± 13 years), 69% women and 54% from the Central Department. Seventy-five percent received two doses of the vaccine, 56.3% had AE with the first dose and 45.7% AE with the second. AE in the first dose was associated with females (OR 1.73 (95%CI 1.23–2.42); p=0.001) and age under 30 years old (OR 1.73; 95%CI 1.30–2.46; p <0.001); presenting AEs in the first dose was associated with presenting them with the second dose (OR 3.84; 95%CI 2.39–5.09; p<0.001). Conclusion. Adverse reactions to vaccines were common but mild and self-limited. Those respondents who presented AE in the first dose had a high chance of presenting them again in the second dose.