Post-vaccination incidence and side effects of COVID-19 in a cohort of Brazilian healthcare professionals: an internet-based survey

OBJECTIVE: So far, at least 18 different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 vaccines have been approved. Until October 2022, 12.8 billion doses had been administered all over the world. Vaccination of high-risk groups and healthcare professionals was initially prioritized. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the occurrence of vaccine side effects, as well as the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated healthcare professionals. METHODS: A survey was structured and shared with healthcare professionals using a digital platform to collect data between May and June 2021. RESULTS: This study included 6,115 participants. The most prevalent age group was 30-39 years (31.3%), 67.3% were female and 73.2% accounted for physicians, and nearly half worked in frontline care for COVID-19. Approximately, two-thirds of them were vaccinated with CoronaVac, and about 60% reported at least one side effect following the vaccination. Nevertheless, minor reactions were more frequent, such as pain at site of injection, fatigue, and headache. Our data could be used to inform people on the likelihood of side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly CoronaVac, since this is the largest study about vaccine reactions using this vaccine, to our best knowledge. CONCLUSION: The incidence of side effects in Brazilian healthcare professionals was 60%, and the most common side effects included local swelling/pain, fatigue/tiredness, fever, headache, and limb pain.