Adverse Effects of Covid-19 Vaccine, an Observational Studymainly Focusing on the Cutaneous Reactions in Both Genders

Objective: COVID-19 caused a deleterious impact on the health care system globally.The roll out of vaccines seems to be the only effective way to curtail the spread of disease.The purpose of this study is to assess the dermatological adverse effect of post COVID-19vaccination on a gender basis. Methodology: This was an observational,cross-sectional,questionnaire-based survey conducted in Pakistan.The sample comprises 518 participants. The questionnaire was self-designed. The trial lasted six months, from August 1, 2022, until January 31, 2023. We used a non-probability sampling technique.Dermatological adverse effects like burning pain, redness, rashes, and lymphadenopathy at the injection site were recorded.Fever was also noted. All the participants have received booster shots or double doses of any one of CCOVID-19 vaccines, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinovac, Sinopharm,Pakvac, etc. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Qualitative data was reported as frequency and percentage, and quantitativedata was reported as standard deviation and mean. Result(s): The study included 518 subjects, of whom 262 were males and 256 were females. The mean age of male is 42.70+/-14.05 years and female is 39.04+/-14.6years with a significant difference observed between them (p=0.004). The most common complaint among dermatological adverse effects after first was pain. 106(40.5%) male and 132(51.6%) female reported painwith a significant difference observed between them (p=0.011) followed by swelling which was reported by 92(35.1%) males and 120(46.9%) females with a significant difference observed between them (p=0.006).Burning was reported in 92(35.1%) male and 148(57.8%) female with a significant difference observed between them(p<0.001). Fever was also quite commonly reported in both male 116(44.3%) and female 178(69.5%) with significantdifference observed between them (p<0.001),Likewise post 2nd dose of vaccination, pain was most commonly noted in 90(34.4%) male and female 124(48.4%) female with significant difference observed between them (p=0.001). Moreover, burning was reported by 80(30.5%) malesand 132(51.6%) females with a significant difference observed between them (p<0.001). rashes were reported by76(29.0%) males and 100(39.1%) females with a significant difference observed between them (p=0.016), lymphadenopathy was also significantly associated with genders, (p<0.001). Conclusion(s): This study concluded that the burning pain,redness,rashes,and lymphadenopathywere the most prevalent side effects in male and female post 1st and 2ndCOVID-19 vaccination.Furthermore fever was also reported in majority of subjects.In addition to this higher percentage of side effects were recorded in females as comparedto males.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.

Antibody levels of COVID-19 vaccine: A comparison between healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressants

This study compares the serological antibody level post-COVID-19 vaccine among healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressant therapy. It also examines the difference in antidepressants' side effects experienced by psychiatric patients following the completion of two vaccine doses. A comparative posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted among healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressant medication in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay was used to detect the antibody titre between weeks 4 and 12 post vaccination. The antidepressant side-effect checklist (ASEC) was used to monitor the occurrence of antidepressant-related side effects pre-and post-vaccination. 24 psychiatric patients and 26 healthy subjects were included. There was no significant difference in the antibody level between the patients (median = 1509 u/ml) and the healthy subjects (median = 995 u/ml). There was no significant worsening in the antidepressant-related side effects. The antibody level post-COVID-19 vaccine did not differ significantly between patients on antidepressant therapy and healthy subjects. Additionally, there was no change in the antidepressant side effects experienced by the patients following the completion of the vaccine.Copyright © 2022, Research Trends (P) LTD.. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of student-pharmacists' experiences in COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Objective: To examine the impact that participation in 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID19) vaccination clinics had on students' self-assessed ability to vaccinate and secondarily, to examine the impact these experiences had on student perspectives of pharmacist engagement in public health. Methods: Student pharmacists who volunteered in COVID-19 vaccination clinics were invited to complete an anonymous, electronic survey consisting of items pertaining to their self-assessed ability to vaccinate and attitudes towards pharmacist engagement in public health in a retrospective pre/post-experience. Results: Students indicated that the experiences were valuable, participation increased their comfort level with vaccination, and they were better prepared to engage in vaccination following engagement. Additionally, student attitudes toward pharmacist engagement in public health improved after engagement. Conclusion: Participation in COVID-19 vaccination clinics had a positive effect on students' self-efficacy toward vaccination and their attitudes toward pharmacist engagement in public health. Similar opportunities should be promoted to student-pharmacists to facilitate their professional development.

Pattern of Adverse Events Following COVID-19 Vaccine among Vaccinated Individuals Aged Above 18 yrs in Kerala

Background: Coronavirus pandemic is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). WHO declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020 & a pandemic in March 2020. In India Oxford University-Astra Zeneca's Covishield vaccine, manufactured by serum institute of India and Bharath Biotech's Covaxin are being used for vaccination programme. In this study, we assess adverse reactions following Covid-19 vaccination & incidence of COVID-19 disease among vaccinated people across Kerala. Since it was newer vaccine and general population was afraid of side effects. The present study aimed to study the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination among general population aged above 18 years in Kerala. Method(s): A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 vaccinated individuals above 18 yrs of age residing in Kerala from July 2021 to December 2021. Pattern of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination (AEFI) were assessed using a semi structured questionnaire. An online questionnaire using Kobo Toolbox was developed and shared via online platform to record the self-reported adverse events following vaccination. A respondent driven sampling method was used. The data was downloaded in MS Excel and analysed using Microsoft excel. Result(s): Study was conducted among 526 people across Kerala, among which both males(45.63%) and females (54.18%). Majority of them received COVISHEID (92.97%) and rest of them received COVAXIN (6.24%) and SPUTNIK (0.57%). Out of which 65.97% received 2 doses and 34.03% received only one dose of vaccine. More than half of them (61.5%) faced side effects during post vaccination period. The symptoms were very mild in which fever (65.74%) and tiredness (76.85%) were the commonest symptoms. Conclusion(s): In the present study, majority of the vaccinated people experienced very mild and self limiting adverse effects, those were very mild & self limiting. It is a fact that COVID-19 vaccines doesn't provided 100% efficiency, but our study indicates that it does provides protection against COVID-19 infection to a great extend & breakthrough infections are very less severe and asymptomatic for vaccinated people.Copyright © 2023, Dr. Yashwant Research Labs Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Incidence and its Clinical Course in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Organ transplant recipients receive immunosuppressive drugs and hence are at high risk for COVID-19 due to their compromised immunity. This study assessed 1,370 liver transplant recipients who were followed at our hospital. A total of 12 patients got COVID-19: 5 recipients <50-years-old had mild disease, 7 recipients >60-years-old had moderate to severe disease, and 2 patients died. In addition, not all patients received 2 vaccinations, suggesting that the immunization is important for COVID-19 prophylaxis even in this patient population. One recipient was successfully treated with a combination of a reduced dose of immunosuppressive drugs, dexamethasone, remdesivir, and antibiotics, which is being established as an effective therapy for COVID-19.Copyright © 2022 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

Status of 18 pediatric cases of COVID-19 post-liver transplantation.

We describe our experience with COVID-19 after pediatric liver transplantation (LT). In this study, we analyzed 18 of 196 children who contracted COVID-19 after LT during outpatient follow-up at our department. The severity of COVID-19 was mild in all cases, and all cases were cured without sequelae. COVID-19 after LT in children may have a high risk of severe disease. However, the disease is relatively mild and may be cured.Copyright © 2022 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

The effect of covid-19 vaccines on pneumothorax in geriatric patients hospItalized in intensive care unit due to covid-19

In our study, we examined the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the incidence of pneumothorax in intensive care patients over age 65. COVID-19 intensive care patients that presented to our department between April 2020 and May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two main groups, i.e., before and after the vaccination period. Patients were evaluated retrospectively for the following parameters: Gender, age, side of pneumothorax, mortality, discharge, comorbidity, and additional pleural complications. The total number of patients was 87, i.e., 66 patients before vaccination and 21 patients after vaccination. When patients in the pre- and post-vaccination period were compared, there was a significant difference in the incidence of pneumothorax between the two groups (p<0.05). Pneumothorax was less common after vaccination. When patients with pneumothorax and tube thoracostomy were evaluated according to pre- and post-vaccination mortality, mortality was significantly higher (89%) in the pre-vaccination period (p<0.05). We consider that COVID-19 vaccines used in patients aged over 65 reduced the incidence of pleural complications, especially pneumothorax. We think that mortality due to pneumothorax in patients over 65 years of age was lower during the vaccination period. In addition, we think that bilateral pneumothorax was more common in the non-vaccinated period. As a result, we think that life-threatening pneumothorax and similar complications could be reduced by increasing the number of vaccines made in the COVID-19 pandemic and spreading it around the world.Copyright © 2022, Dr. Mladen Stojanovic University Hospital. All rights reserved.

(De)legitimation of COVID-19 vaccination narratives on Facebook comments in Romania: Beyond the co-occurrence patterns of discursive strategies

The postmodern medical paradigm has empowered online users in the (de)legitimating process of health-related topics. By employing a co-occurrence analysis, this study identifies the thematic patterns used by Romanian online users in their multimodal comments to the #storiesfromvaccination Facebook campaign run by the Romanian government. The findings show that the commenters assessed source credibility through two thematic patterns: ‘source exemplarity' and ‘source distrust'. Health experts were more legitimized than laypersons and role models as sources in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Two thematic patterns emerged in the assessment of vaccination, namely: ‘immunization – past and present challenges' and ‘vaccination supporter versus opponent cleavage'. In the discussion on immunization, a polarization between a nostalgic longing for the past and a present corrupted medical and political system prevailed, whereas the important feature of discursive antagonism could be observed in the latter thematic pattern. The co-occurrences of (de)legitimation strategies are explained with reference to the political and medical context, along with the challenges of social media usage in online vaccination communication campaigns. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Discourse & Society is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Representing agency and action in the #storiesfromvaccination governmental campaign in Romania. A multimodal approach

Vaccination continues to be one of the most debated topics worldwide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and in countries like Romania, where the COVID-19 vaccination rate is very low. Studies showed that in public pro-vaccination campaigns, despite the tendencies towards using evidence-based content strategies focusing on factual information delivered by experts, emotional content through personal stories also triggers a positive engagement in fostering vaccine confidence. In April 2021, the Romanian Government launched a new Facebook campaign entitled #storiesfromvaccination/ #povestidelavaccinare. Drawing from two concepts (point of view and multimodality) relevant to narrative online health messages, the study has a threefold aim: (1) to investigate the online engagement of the narrative perspectives in the #storiesfromvaccination campaign;(2) to provide a comparative analysis of the multimodal cohesion in the Facebook #storiesfromvaccination multimodal texts posted by various message sources;(3) to identify the various representations of agency and action in the interplay of the three metafunctions (experiential, interpersonal and textual) in the personal stories from vaccination. © The Authors.

Effect of knowledge, social and religious factors effecting the intention of Muslims in Pakistan to receive COVID-19 vaccination: mediating role of attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination

PurposeThis study aims to empirically examine the knowledge, social and religious factors effecting the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination while considering the mediating role of attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. The research explores how the Islamic ideologies shape Muslims' knowledge, social and religious beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination acceptance or refusal.Design/methodology/approachTheoretically, the study is based on the functional theory of attitudes. The model of the study is comprised of nine variables explaining the attitude and intention towards COVID-19 vaccination. Among nine variables, perceived Islamic religiosity, perceived behavioural control and Halal consciousness among Muslims are explained through the value-expressive function of attitude. Furthermore, the perceived risk of COVID-19, the perceived side effect of COVID-19 vaccination and the perceived efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination are considered in the model based on the utility function of attitude. Moreover, social influence for COVID vaccination, subjective norms and group conformity are ed from the social-adjustive function of attitude. This study used a quantitative survey research method to test the hypotheses. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed to non-vaccinated Muslim respondents from five cities in Pakistan. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique was used to test the relationship among the variables in the proposed model. The partial least square-SEM method explained the variances in the dependent variables. Moreover, to test the structure of data, different statistical tests, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), factor loadings and average variance extracted, were used with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysis of a moment structures (AMOS) 23.0 version.FindingsResults for direct effect showed a significant negative effect of Islamic religiosity, perceived behavioural control, halal consciousness, perceived side effect of COVID-19 vaccination, social influence, subjective norm and group conformity on attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. In contrast, insignificant results showed no relationship of perceived risk from COVID-19 infection and perceived efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination with attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Results for mediating effect showed the significant negative mediating effect of attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination between Islamic religiosity, perceived behavioural control, halal consciousness, perceived side effect, social influence, subjective norm, group conformity and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination. While results showed the insignificant mediation of attitude towards COVID-19 between perceived risk from COVID-19 infection, perceived efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies are required to compare the attitude and intention among the temporary refusal group (those who will consider vaccination the future) and the permanent refusal group (those who will not consider vaccination the future). Comparing Muslim and non-Muslim groups can also explain differences in attitude and intention towards COVID-19 vaccination.Originality/valueThe area of acceptance and refusal of COVID-19 vaccination has been given limited attention in academic literature. Theoretically, this research has proposed a well-defined model to explain the attitude of Muslims towards COVID-19 vaccination. This model can helpf predict the attitude and intentions of Muslims towards vaccination or medicines. Moreover, this research is a unique contribution for the vaccination brands to consider the discussed factors before launching their brand in Muslim countries.

Results on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Booster from an Open-Label Multicenter Study in Ofatumumab-Treated Participants with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist on how ofatumumab treatment impacts SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination response. METHODS: KYRIOS is an ongoing prospective open-label multicenter study on the response to initial and booster SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination before or during ofatumumab treatment in relapsing MS patients. The results on the initial vaccination cohort have been published previously. Here, we describe 23 patients who received their initial vaccination outside of the study but booster vaccination during the study. Additionally, we report the booster results of two patients in the initial vaccination cohort. The primary endpoint was SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell response at month 1. Furthermore, serum total and neutralizing antibodies were measured. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was reached by 87.5% of patients with booster before (booster cohort 1, N = 8) and 46.7% of patients with booster during ofatumumab treatment (booster cohort 2, N = 15). Seroconversion rates for neutralizing antibodies increased from 87.5% at baseline to 100.0% at month 1 in booster cohort 1 and from 71.4% to 93.3% in booster cohort 2. Of note, 3 of 4 initially seronegative patients in booster cohort 2 and one seronegative patient in the initial vaccination cohort seroconverted after the booster during ofatumumab treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Booster vaccinations increase neutralizing antibody titers in ofatumumab-treated patients. A booster is recommended in ofatumumab-treated patients.

Concerns related to the interactions between COVID-19 vaccination and cancer/cancer treatment were barriers to complete primary vaccination series among Chinese cancer patients: A multicentre cross-sectional survey.

COVID-19 vaccination is effective for cancer patients without safety concerns. However, COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is common among cancer patients. This study investigated factors affecting primary COVID-19 vaccination series completion rate among cancer patients in China. A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in four Chinese cities in different geographic regions between May and June 2022. A total of 893 cancer inpatients provided written informed consent and completed the study. Logistic regression models were fitted. Among the participants, 58.8% completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. After adjusting for background characteristics, concerns about interactions between COVID-19 vaccination and cancers/cancer treatment (adjusted odds ratios [AOR]: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.94, 0.99) were associated with lower completion of primary vaccination series. In addition, perceived higher risk of COVID-19 infection comparing to people without cancers (AOR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.24, 0.88), perceived a high chance of having severe consequences of COVID-19 infection (AOR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.51, 0.91) were also associated with lower completion rate. Being suggested by significant others (AOR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.23, 1.41) and perceived higher self-efficacy to receive COVID-19 vaccination (AOR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.31, 1.67) were positively associated with the dependent variable. Completion rate of primary COVID-19 vaccination series was low among Chinese cancer patients. Given the large population size and their vulnerability, this group urgently needs to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Removing concerns about interactions between COVID-19 vaccination and cancers, using fear appeal approach, involving significant others, and facilitating patients to make a plan to receive COVID-19 vaccination might be useful strategies.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Vaccination for Older Adults in the Asia Pacific: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The impact of vaccinating the older population against vaccine-preventable diseases in terms of health, social and economic benefits has been increasingly recognised. However, there is a gap in the utilisation of vaccines worldwide. The population is ageing at an unprecedented pace in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with the number of persons older than 65 years set to double by 2050 to around 1.3 billion. More than 18% of the population in Japan, Hong Kong, and China is over the age of 65 years. This highlights the importance of prioritising resources to address societal obligations toward the needs of the ageing generation. This review provides an overview of the challenges to adult vaccination in APAC, drivers to increase vaccination coverage, vaccination insights gained through the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential measures to increase the uptake of adult vaccines in the region.

[COVID-19 vaccination for people with severe mental diseases : Results of the COVID Ψ outpatient survey and recommendations for psychiatry]. / COVID-19-Impfung für Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen : Ergebnisse des COVID-Ψ-Ambulant-Surveys und Empfehlungen für die Psychiatrie.

BACKGROUND: Severe mental illnesses are risk factors for SARS-CoV-2-related morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is an effective protection; therefore, high vaccination rates should be a major priority for people with mental illnesses. OBJECTIVES: (1) Identification of at-risk groups for non-vaccination and structures and interventions needed for widespread vaccination among people with mental illnesses from the perspective of outpatient psychiatrists and neurologists, (2) discussion of the results in the context of the international literature and (3) recommendations derived from them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative content analysis of COVID-19 vaccination-related questions from the COVID Ψ online survey of n = 85 psychiatrists and neurologists in Germany. RESULTS: In the survey, people with schizophrenia, severe lack of drive, low socioeconomic status and homelessness were seen as risk groups for non-vaccination. Increased and targeted information, education, addressing and motivation and easily accessible vaccination offers by general practitioners, psychiatrists, and neurologists as well as complementary institutions were considered as important interventions. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 vaccinations as well as information, motivation and access support should be systematically offered by as many institutions of the psychiatric, psychotherapeutic and complementary care systems in Germany as possible.

Temporal trends and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine series initiation after recent pregnancy.

During the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, safety concerns may have led some pregnant individuals to postpone vaccination until after giving birth. This study aimed to describe temporal patterns and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine series initiation after recent pregnancy in Ontario, Canada. Using the provincial birth registry linked with the COVID-19 vaccine database, we identified all individuals who gave birth between January 1 and December 31, 2021, and had not yet been vaccinated by the end of pregnancy, and followed them to June 30, 2022 (follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months). We used cumulative incidence curves to describe COVID-19 vaccine initiation after pregnancy and assessed associations with sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and health behavioral factors using Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 137,198 individuals who gave birth in 2021, 87,376 (63.7%) remained unvaccinated at the end of pregnancy; of these, 65.0% initiated COVID-19 vaccination by June 30, 2022. Lower maternal age (<25 vs. 30-34 y aHR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.70-0.77), smoking during pregnancy (vs. nonsmoking aHR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.65-0.72), lower neighborhood income (lowest quintile vs. highest aHR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.76-0.83), higher material deprivation (highest quintile vs. lowest aHR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.70-0.79), and exclusive breastfeeding (vs. other feeding aHR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.79-0.84) were associated with lower likelihood of vaccine initiation. Among unvaccinated individuals who gave birth in 2021, COVID-19 vaccine initiation after pregnancy reached 65% by June 30, 2022, suggesting persistent issues with vaccine hesitancy and/or access to vaccination in this population.

The Interplay of Perceived Risks and Benefits in Deciding to Become Vaccinated against COVID-19 While Pregnant or Breastfeeding: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy.

The present study examined the role of the perception of risks and benefits for the mother and her babies in deciding about the COVID-19 vaccination. In this cross-sectional study, five hypotheses were tested using data from a convenience sample of Italian pregnant and/or breastfeeding women (N = 1104, July-September 2021). A logistic regression model estimated the influence of the predictors on the reported behavior, and a beta regression model was used to evaluate which factors influenced the willingness to become vaccinated among unvaccinated women. The COVID-19 vaccination overall risks/benefits tradeoff was highly predictive of both behavior and intention. Ceteris paribus, an increase in the perception of risks for the baby weighed more against vaccination than a similar increase in the perception of risks for the mother. Additionally, pregnant women resulted in being less likely (or willing) to be vaccinated in their status than breastfeeding women, but they were equally accepting of vaccination if they were not pregnant. COVID-19 risk perception predicted intention to become vaccinated, but not behavior. In conclusion, the overall risks/benefits tradeoff is key in predicting vaccination behavior and intention, but the concerns for the baby weigh more than those for the mother in the decision, shedding light on this previously neglected aspect.

Safety of heterologous ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2 primary schedule versus homologous BNT162b2 vaccination: Insights from an Italian post-marketing study, 2021.

During COVID-19 vaccination campaign, possible ChAdOx1-S-associated risks of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome led to implement ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2 heterologous vaccination, despite the limited information on its reactogenicity and safety. We conducted a prospective observational post-marketing surveillance study to assess the safety of this heterologous schedule. A casually selected sample of recipients (n: 85; age: 18-60 years) of ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2 at the vaccination hub of the Foggia Hospital, Italy, was matched with an equal sample of recipients of homologous BNT162b2. Safety was evaluated 7 days, 1 month and 14 weeks after the primary vaccination series using an adapted version of the "V-safe active surveillance for COVID-19 vaccine safety" CDC standardized questionnaire. After 7 days, local reactions were highly frequent (>80%) in both groups, and systemic reactions were less common (<70%). Moderate or severe pain at the injection site (OR = 3.62; 95%CI, 1.45-9.33), moderate/severe fatigue (OR = 3.40; 95%CI, 1.22-9.49), moderate/severe headache (OR = 4.72; 95%CI, 1.37-16.23), intake of antipyretics (OR = 3.05; 95 CI%, 1.35-6.88), inability to perform daily activities and work (OR = 2.64; 95%CI, 1.24-5.62) were significantly more common with heterologous than homologous vaccination. No significant difference in self-reported health status was recorded 1 month or 14 weeks after the second dose with BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2. Our study confirms the safety of both heterologous and homologous vaccination, with a slight increase in some short-term adverse events for the heterologous regimen. Therefore, administering a second dose of a mRNA vaccine to the recipients of a previous dose of viral vector vaccine may have represented an advantageous strategy to improve flexibility and to accelerate the vaccination campaign.

Orbital Cellulitis following COVID-19 Vaccination.

A 72-year-old male patient was referred to our outpatient clinic with a painful left eye protrusion accompanied by marked conjunctival chemosis and external ophthalmoplegia being progressed despite topical and oral antibiotic therapy. He developed ocular symptoms 9 days after receiving his second SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (VeroCell). Of note, in previous history, 2 weeks after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, he also developed a life-threatening laryngeal oedema treated at an emergency care unit. MRI of the orbit excluded pansinusitis as possible origin of the orbital cellulitis, and repeated COVID-19 antigen and antibody PCR tests were negative during his hospitalization. On the next day after his admittance, parenteral dexamethasone 250 mg/die treatment was commenced resulting in a quick and complete resolution of the symptoms. Due to the facts regarding this case, such as the temporal coincidence and the lack of respective comorbidity, there might be a causative relationship between the vaccination and the presented orbital cellulitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on orbital cellulitis as a possible ocular adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination.