Evaluation of Side Effects Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: A variety of vaccinations have been developed to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) 2 years after the coronavirus epidemic spread globally. During clinical studies, these vaccinations were linked to mild to severe side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term side effects of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnant women in Zabol (Iran). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August and October 2021 to collect data on the adverse side effects of Covid-19 vaccinations among 117 pregnant women in Zabol (Iran). A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, vaccination information, and vaccine complications. SPSS software Version 22 was used to analyze the data at 2 levels descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 117 pregnant women aged 27.67 ± 5.14 years were included. After the first and second doses of Covid-19 vaccinations, 91 (86.7%) and 84 (71.8%) pregnant women, respectively, suffered adverse effects. Moreover, after the first dose, 55(51.4%) and 60 (56.1%) of pregnant women reported fatigue and headache, and after the second dose, 39 (33.3%) and 37 (31.6%) reported fatigue and headache, respectively. CONCLUSION: The side effects reported in our study after receiving Covid-19 vaccinations in pregnant women were similar to those described in clinical studies of vaccines and were mild to moderate, showing that injectable vaccines had safe profiles. More research is needed, however, to assess the long-term side effects of existing vaccines.