Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Population-Based Study

Background and aim The COVID-19 pandemic has globally impacted all sectors. Early vaccine development was crucial to curb the spread of the virus. However, concerns about vaccine safety and side effects have led to hesitancy. This study aims to examine and compare side effects associated with Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm vaccines in Iraqi Kurdistan. Materials and methods A population-based study was conducted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq from September 2022 to April 2023, involving 1,340 participants recruited through face-to-face interviews and online forms. The questionnaire collected demographic data and information on COVID-19 infection and vaccination status. Results Among the participants, 52.76% were females, with a mean age of 29.21 years (±13.09 SD). Of these, 67.84% received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and 60.9% had a prior COVID-19 infection. About 76.94% experienced post-vaccination side effects, lasting an average of 2.8 days (±1.92 SD). Notably, 60% reported no or mild side effects. Common side effects across all vaccines included injection site pain, fever, headache, and fatigue. Side effects were more frequent after the first dose and were highest with Oxford/AstraZeneca, followed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Sinopharm (p = 0.001). Higher rates of side effects were observed in participants aged 36-60, females, married individuals, those with chronic conditions, previously infected individuals, and those who contracted COVID-19 post-vaccination (p = 0.001). Conclusions This study reveals that most of the participants experienced either no side effects or only mild reactions following vaccination, with none of the side effects being serious. These findings are expected to boost public confidence and increase vaccine uptake, especially with booster doses now available.