J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Jun;38(22):e170. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e170.

A Nationwide Survey of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccinee’s Experiences on Adverse Events and Its Associated Factors

• Yoon D
• Jeon HL
• Noh Y
• Choe YJ
• Choe SA
• Jung J
• Shin JY

• KMID: 2542802
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e170

Abstract

Background
Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been distributed worldwide under emergency use authorization, the real-world safety profiles of mRNA vaccines still need to be clearly defined. We aimed to identify the overall incidence and factors associated with adverse events (AEs) following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
Methods
We conducted web-based survey from December 2 to 10 in 2021 with a 2,849 nationwide sampled panel. Study participants were individuals who had elapsed at least twoweeks after completing two dosing schedules of COVID-19 vaccination aged between 18–49 years. We weighted the participants to represent the Korean population. The outcome was the overall incidence of AEs following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors. We estimated the weighted odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression models to identify the factors associated with AEs.
Results
Of the 2,849 participants (median [interquartile range] age, 35 [27–42] years; 51.6% male), 90.8% (n = 2,582) for the first dose and 88.7% (n = 2,849) for the second dose reported AEs, and 3.3% and 4.3% reported severe AEs, respectively. Occurrence of AEs was more prevalent in mRNA-1273 (OR, 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–2.67 vs. BNT162b2), female sex (1.88; 1.52–2.32), and those with dermatologic diseases (2.51; 1.32–4.77). History of serious allergic reactions (1.96; 1.06–3.64) and anticoagulant medication use (4.72; 1.92–11.6) were associated with severe AEs.
Conclusion
Approximately 90% of participants reported AEs following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Substantial factors, including vaccine type (mRNA-1273), female sex, and dermatologic diseases were associated with AEs. Our findings could aid policymakers in establishing vaccination strategies tailored to those potentially susceptible to AEs.

Keyword

COVID-19 Vaccines; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; mRNA Vaccines; Risk Factors; Survey and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Adverse events following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination by characteristics of participants. (A) Adverse events by vaccine types after first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. (B) Adverse events by vaccine types after second dose of COVID-19 vaccination. (C) Adverse events by sex after first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. (D) Adverse events by sex after second dose of COVID-19 vaccination.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of participant-reported adverse events between vaccine types and doses.OR = odds ratio, CI = confidence interval, mRNA = messenger RNA.

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