Adverse reactions in people vaccinated against COVID-19 belonging to the Recinto Umpechico, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccines stimulate immune processes that allow SARS-CoV-2, which affected a large part of the population, to be mitigated. The research on the adverse reactions presented by the COVID-19 vaccines must be continuous, since at present there is not enough information on their consequences.

Objective: to determine the possible adverse reactions in young and older adults belonging to the Recinto Umpechico, inoculated against SARS-CoV-2 in Santo Domingo, during 2021.

Method: a descriptive study was carried out in a population of 600 residents of said locality, inoculated against SARS-CoV-2. Non-probability convenience sampling was used, with a sample of 235 inhabitants. The study variables were: adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, name of the vaccine received, number of doses, intensity and duration of symptoms, medications used to mitigate said adverse reactions.

Results: 31.5% of the respondents who presented symptoms were male. The most common vaccine was Pfizer with 47.65%, with a percentage of symptoms of 29.36%. The most common adverse reaction was arm pain with 31.98%, lasting two to three days, equivalent to 48.96%; 62.65% used paracetamol and 20.5% used cold water baths to reduce symptoms.

Conclusions: the vaccines manufactured by the different pharmaceutical companies cause adverse reactions that range from mild to severe, manifesting at any age and for a short or long term, which in most cases are easily treated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological medications.