Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Drug Reactions Reported Among Sultan Qaboos University Hospital Staff.

Objectives: This study aimed to report any suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) experienced by all vaccinated staff and students in a tertiary teaching hospital following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign at Sultan Qaboos University and Hospital in Muscat, Oman, from August to September 2021. An online survey was generated and sent to all staff and students via email and text messages. An announcement was made on the hospital website with a link to the survey. Results: A total of 8,421 individuals reported being vaccinated at least once with a total of 11,468 doses administered from January to July 2021; 8,014 staff and students received the Pfizer-Biotech vaccine while 3,454 staff and students received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The survey received a total of 3,275 responses (response rate = 38.8%). Of these, 741 individuals (22.6%) experienced an ADR after vaccination and 67.2% (n = 498) were females (P <0.001). The majority of the ADRs reported were fever and chills (19.7%) followed by localised pain and swelling at the injection site (18.8%). Other ADRs such as hair loss (0.5%) were reported, and one staff/student reported a clot in the right leg. Among the responders, 27.0% considered their ADRs as mild while 25.0% considered them as severe. Conclusions: In the study cohort, mild symptoms of COVID-19 vaccines were reported. Females experienced more ADRs compared to males. Long-term observation of ADRs to the vaccines and follow-up monitoring should be done on subjects to preclude any unwanted effects.

Medication use during pregnancy in Omani women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate medication use pattern in a university tertiary hospital in the Sultanate of Oman. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) and the SQUH Family and Community Medicine clinic (FAMCO), Muscat, Sultanate of Oman during 7th to 25th June 2008. METHOD: The medication use pattern was evaluated in women attending FAMCO and the standard antenatal clinics at the hospital. Women were interviewed in different gestational ages using a structured questionnaire. The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) was reviewed to acquire additional information on medication use. Medications were classified according to the US FDA risk classification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Medication used including prescribed medications, OTC medications, or herbal treatment during the current pregnancy and 3 months prior to conception. RESULTS: The study included a total of 139 pregnant mothers with an overall mean age of 28 ± 5 years ranging from 19 to 45 years. There was a slight overall reduction in the medication use including prescribed medications. However, there was a significant increase in utilization of vitamins and supplements (84-95% vs. 12% in the 3-months prior, P < 0.001) as well as herbal preparations (16-19% vs. 7% in the 3-months prior, P = 0.011) throughout pregnancy (P < 0.010). The use of category A medications increased in all trimester (43-52% vs. 13% in the 3 months prior, P < 0.010) while a reduction in the use of category C (for first and third trimester, P < 0.050) and D medications was seen. A reduction in the use of teratogenic drugs in all trimesters (P < 0.010) was also observed. CONCLUSION: The prescribing of vitamins and minerals was optimal. However, the common use of herbal supplements observed warrants special attention due to their unknown risks. The conclusions should be interpreted in light of the study's limitations.