Potential adverse effects of COVID19 vaccines among Iraqi population; a comparison between the three available vaccines in Iraq; a retrospective cross-sectional study

AIMS: the objectives of this study are to reveal the potential side effects after taking the covid19 vaccines, associated risk factors with severe side effects, and to compare the three COVID-19 vaccines available in Iraq (Sinopharm, AstraZeneca-Oxford and Pfizer- BioNTech). METHODS: a randomized cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021. A standardized questionnaire platform was utilized to collect information about the Iraqi population. RESULTS: 1012 were enrolled in the study, 60.2% were male and 39.8% were female. 84% were symptomatic post vaccination. Young aged participants, females, participants with history of COVID19 infection, those with comorbid diseases and AstraZeneca vaccine receivers were statistically significant risk factors for having adverse reactions post vaccination, P value (0.03, 0.028, 0.007, 0.019 and 0.0001) respectively. Regarding severity of symptoms, most symptoms were mild and moderate. Residency in Kurdistan Region of Iraq and AstraZeneca vaccine were the statistically significant risk factors for getting severe symptoms P value < 0.0001 of both. Females were an associated risk factor for D-dimer elevation P value = 0.05. CONCLUSION: fatigue, injection site reactions, fever, myalgia, headache and chills were the most reported side effects. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in term of severity.