Vaccine hesitancy: Pattern of side effects of the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Enugu

Vaccination is a basic public health intervention and its advancement in prevention of infectious diseases that plague humans has been evolving and helps to save humanity from extinction. This study aims to evaluate the common side effects of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to receive second dose among healthcare workers within Enugu metropolis. It was a cross -sectional survey carried out from March to June, 2021 using validated self-administered questionnaire among 89 participants. Data analysis were conducted using SPSS version 21.0 (p<0.05). The median age of the participants was 38 years and 71 (79.8%) of them constitute the frontline health-workers. Post vaccination side effects was reported by 78 (87.6%) of the participant. Among the reported side effects, pain at the injection site was the most common 55 (62%) while sore throat, chills and rigor were the least occurring in 13 (14.6%) respectively. The association between the presence of side effect of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and willingness to receive the second dose of the vaccine was (p=1.00) while the duration and number of the side effects associated with the willingness to receive the second dose of the vaccine were not statistically significant (p>0.05) respectively. The Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has high safety profile margin, though with some side-effects which could not deter participants from getting vaccinated. Education of the masses on safety of current vaccines and future vaccines should be an integral component of public health initiatives aimed at achieving the desired herd immunity.