Adverse reactions and safety profile of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among Asian military personnel.
10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021345
- Author:
Joshua T C TAN
1
;
Clive TAN
;
Jeremy TEOH
;
M T WAHAB
;
Guan Zhong TAN
;
Reon Yew Zhou CHIN
;
Anne LEE
;
Adeliza MUTALIB
;
Poh Lian LIM
Author Information
1. Headquarters Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
COVID-19;
COVID-19 Vaccines;
Humans;
Military Personnel;
RNA, Messenger;
SARS-CoV-2;
Vaccines, Synthetic
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
2021;50(11):827-837
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:The use of novel mRNA platforms for COVID-19 vaccines raised concern about vaccine safety, especially in Asian populations that made up less than 10% of study populations in the pivotal vaccine trials used for emergency use authorisation. Vaccine safety issues also remain a concern in assessing the clinical risks and benefits of vaccine boosters, particularly in specific age groups or segments of the population. This study describes a vaccination exercise involving Asian military personnel, and the adverse reactions and safety events observed.
METHODS:Minor adverse reactions, hospitalisations and adverse events of special interest were monitored as part of the organisation's protocol for safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccinations. All vaccine recipients were invited to complete an online adverse reaction questionnaire. Medical consults at the military's primary healthcare facilities were monitored for vaccine-related presentations. All hospitalisations involving vaccine recipients were analysed. Adverse reaction rates between doses, vaccines and age groups were compared.
RESULTS:A total of 127,081 mRNA vaccine doses were administered to 64,661 individuals up to 24 July 2021. Common minor adverse reactions included fever/chills, body aches and injection site pain. These were more common after dose 2. Younger individuals experienced minor adverse reactions more frequently. Rare cases of anaphylaxis, Bell's palsy and myocarditis/pericarditis were observed. No deaths occurred.
CONCLUSION:Minor adverse reactions were less common than reported in other studies, and rates of anaphylaxis, Bell's palsy and myocarditis/pericarditis were comparable. Our study supports the favourable safety profile of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which may help guide decisions about booster doses if required.
