Evaluation of the Most Visible Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines Among the Residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: This research evaluated the most visible symptoms associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines among residents in Makkah of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of residents receiving COVID-19 vaccination at King Abdullah Medical City, ‏Al Ukayshiyyah, and Umm Al-Qura University vaccination centers. A total of 805 participants selected by a census sampling method were included. Data regarding characteristics, medical history, and post-vaccination symptoms were obtained with an interview-based questionnaire. RESULTS: The participants’ mean age was 25.20 ± 15.5 years. Of them, 61.7% and 38.3% received one and two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. 2.2% have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. 25.3% were infected with COVID-19, 23% were infected before the first dose, and only 1.6% were infected after the first dose. Significant statistical associations were found between males and females in smoking status, age, body mass index, history of diabetes mellitus, and types of COVID-19 vaccines (P-value < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding variables, male participants had lower odds of having swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site, muscle or joint pain, headache, dizziness, and nausea compared to female participants [OR = 0.596, 95% CI = (0.388–0.916)], [OR = 0.272, 95% CI = (0.149–0.495)], [OR = 0.529, 95% CI = (0.338–0.828)], [OR = 0.263, 95% CI = (0.125–0.554)], and [OR = 0.145, 95% CI = (0.31–0.679), P < 0.05 for all], respectively. CONCLUSION: The female participants may have a higher risk of post-COVID-19 vaccination symptoms than males among Makkah residents of Saudi Arabia.