Adverse Events of COVID-19 Vaccine in Thai Adolescents Aged 12-18: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Authors/Creators
- 1. Department of Science and Mathematics, Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok, Thailand
- 2. Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
- 3. Statistician, Tertiary Hospital, Songkla, Thailand
Description
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has affected millions of people in a worldwide pandemic. Safe vaccines are needed urgently. Still, vaccines for COVID-19 in adolescents carry little knowledge of safety.
Objective: To evaluate adverse events of the Covid-19 vaccine in Thai adolescents aged 12-18 years.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study and data were collected between October 9, 2021, and December 2, 2021. It was an online survey in the format of Google Forms and adverse events were collected following immunization and within 3 days after the receipt of the vaccine.
Results: A total of 3,132 responses were received. The median participant age was 16 years (IQR 14, 17), 58.2% were female, and 8.4% had underlying medical conditions. Overall, 99.9% received the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) and 71.3% received the first dose. At least one of the adverse events was reported in 37.4% of the participants. Systemic adverse events were common and the most frequent were muscle pain (22.9%), headache (12.8%), and fever (12.6%). Local adverse events were less common, with 6.5% reported pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Compared to the first dose, fever and headache were more common after the second dose.
Conclusions: The covid-19 vaccine in adolescents had a favorable safety profile.