Side Effects and Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi; Mpho Keetile; Nasser Akeil Kadasah; Noor Alshareef; Ameerah M N Qattan; Omar Alsharqi

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.899517

Side Effects and Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Jun 7:9:899517. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.899517. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi^{1

2}, Mpho Keetile³, Nasser Akeil Kadasah⁴, Noor Alshareef^{1

2}, Ameerah M N Qattan^{1

2}, Omar Alsharqi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
² Health Economics Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
⁴ Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Vaccination against any disease is critical in improving and maintaining public health. However, the overall effectiveness of a vaccine largely depends on the willingness of a population to receive it. The main aim of this study was to assess the side effects and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines among adults following vaccination in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 13 to July 20, 2021, among adults aged 18 years and older who had taken one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia. The survey included questions on socio-demographics, health behavior, vaccine type, knowledge about sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines, and perceptions and beliefs following vaccination. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were the major data analytic tools employed in the study.

Results: The most common vaccine side effects reported were tiredness/fatigue (52.6%), swelling (38%), fever (31.3%), headache (29.1%), and muscle pain (22.2%). In multivariable analyses, the odds of experiencing severe side effects were significantly higher among males [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.71-4.45, p < 0.01], those aged 40-49 years (aOR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.10-8.72, p < 0.1), and Saudi nationals (aOR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.58-8.38, p < 0.05) compared to their counterparts. The odds of believing that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in the long-term were significantly higher among men (aOR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.16-2.65, p < 0.01) and among individuals who had received two doses (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.09-2.40, p < 0.05), and the odds of advising others to get vaccinated for COVID-19 were also significantly higher among respondents who had received two doses (aOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.60-4.93, p < 0.01) compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion: This study identified the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effects in Saudi Arabia, therefore making them predictable. This information will help reduce vaccine hesitancy as booster doses become available.

Keywords: COVID-19; Saudi Arabia; perceptions; side effects; vaccination.