ABSTRACT
Introduction: Given the mortality and morbidity caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the lack of therapeutic options, the need for vaccines has become inevitable. Knowledge about covid infection after vaccination and vaccine-related side-effects are essential to educate people and avoid myths about vaccination. Aim(s): To evaluate the side-effects and incidence of COVID-19 in vaccinated people, and to compare the side-effect profile and postvaccination incidence of the infection. Material(s) and Method(s): This cross-sectional, email-based, survey was done from 1st July 2021 to 31st July 2021 at Guntur Medical College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 920 people were sent emails about the details and questionnaire of the study. All COVID-19 vaccinated and those who were more than 18 years of age were included in this study. A total of 506 subjects responded. Total 18 questions in the English language were there. The questions were about demographics, co-morbidities, the name of vaccine taken, postvaccination adverse effects, and COVID-19 positivity. Result(s): Of the 506 vaccinated subjects, 287 (56.71%) received Covaxin, 203 (40.11%) received Covishield and 16 (3.16%) received other vaccines (BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine-8, Sputnik V-3, Spikevax-5). The mean age of the participants was 37 years, and 45.2% (229) were females and 54.8% (277) were males. Side-effects were reported by 73.1%, and 65.17% of individuals after the first and second doses of Covaxin, respectively, compared to 84.7% and 62.5% after Covishield. Local pain and tiredness were the most common symptoms after Covaxin and Covishield. Conclusion(s): Local pain and tiredness were the most common side-effects of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines. The number of participants in other vaccine groups was very minimal to study and compare their effects. Overall, the vaccines are safe and seem to show protection, although mild side-effects can be observed, which are usually non fatal. No difference in the incidence of infections was observed between vaccine groups. Copyright © 2022 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.