Subjective well-being and ability to work after SARS-CoV-2 immunization with the vector vaccine ChAdOx1-S (AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine) Results of an anonymous survey

Background The SARS coronavirus 19 vaccine ChAdOx1-S (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca) has been licensed since January 2021 by the Paul Ehrlich Institute for Germany. In several campaigns, healthcare workers and medical students were offered this vaccine on a voluntary basis. Aim The primary endpoint of the study was to assess the rate and duration of the incapacity to work as a result of initial immunization with ChAdOx1-S. Secondary endpoints were type and severity of adverse events and self-perceived tolerability. Material and methods Anonymized online questionnaire to be completed once by all vaccinated individuals after receiving the first dose of ChAdOx1-S. The severity of side effects was queried using an ordinal numerical rating scale with values ranging from 0 to 10. Other key data points were age, sex, and occupational group. Ability to work in the days following the injection was also assessed by self-reporting. Results Data from 1988 respondents were analyzed. The mean age was 37.13 years (standard deviation 13.7 years). Of the respondents 69.8% were female, 48.1% belonged to therapeutic and technical professions with patient contact, 38% were students, 10.6% were nursing personnel and 4% were physicians. Only 14.4% of respondents reported having tolerated the vaccination without side effects. The most common side effect was fatigue, followed by pain at the injection site. This was followed in descending frequency by headache, aching limbs, and chills. After vaccination 18% of respondents felt able to return to work immediately, 51% of all respondents had to report themselves unfit for work for at least 1 day after vaccination. Side effects were more prevalent in male and younger respondents. Conclusion Vaccination with ChAdOx1-S frequently resulted in side effects. These resulted in 37% of respondents reporting sick. Nevertheless, 89.6% of all respondents would choose coronavirus vaccination with ChAdOx1-S again.