Public Health Surveillance for Adverse Events Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Africa

Anjorin, AbdulAzeez Adeyemi; Odetokun, Ismail A.; Nyandwi, Jean Baptiste; Elnadi, Hager; Awiagah, Kwame Sherrif; Eyedo, Joseph; Abioye, Ajibola Ibraheem; Gachara, George; Maisara, Aala MohmedOsman; Razouqi, Youssef; Yusuf Mohamud, Mohamed Farah; Mhgoob, Zuhal Ebrahim; Ajayi, Tunde; Ntirenganya, Lazare; Saibu, Morounke; Salako, Babatunde Lawal; Elelu, Nusirat; Wright, Kikelomo Ololade; Fasina, Folorunso O.; Mosbah, Rasha

Abstract

Local, national, and international health agencies have advocated multi-pronged public health strategies to limit infections and prevent deaths. The availability of safe and effective vaccines is critical in the control of a pandemic. Several adverse events have been reported globally following reception of different vaccines, with limited or no data from Africa. This cross-sectional epidemiological study investigated adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in Africans from April–June, 2021 using a structured online questionnaire. Out of 1200 participants recruited, a total of 80.8% (n = 969) respondents from 35 countries, including 22 African countries and 13 countries where Africans live in the diaspora, reported adverse events. Over half of the vaccinees were male (53.0%) and frontline healthcare workers (55.7%), respectively. A total of 15.6% (n = 151) reported previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2, while about one-fourth, 24.8% (n = 240), reported different underlying health conditions prior to vaccination. Fatal cases were 5.1% (n = 49), while other significant heterogenous events were reported in three categories: very common, common, and uncommon, with the latter including enlarged lymph nodes 2.4% (n = 23), menstrual disorder 0.5% (n = 5), and increased libido 0.2% (n = 2). The study provided useful data for concerned authorities and institutions to prepare plans that will address issues related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Citation

Anjorin, A. A., Odetokun, I. A., Nyandwi, J. B., Elnadi, H., Awiagah, K. S., Eyedo, J., Abioye, A. I., Gachara, G., Maisara, A. M., Razouqi, Y., Yusuf Mohamud, M. F., Mhgoob, Z. E., Ajayi, T., Ntirenganya, L., Saibu, M., Salako, B. L., Elelu, N., Wright, K. O., Fasina, F. O., & Mosbah, R. (2022). Public Health Surveillance for Adverse Events Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Africa. Vaccines, 10(4), Article 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040546

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 21, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 24, 2023
• Journal: Vaccines
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 546
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040546
• Keywords: vaccine adverse events; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 vaccine; public health; vaccination; adverse events following immunisation (AEFI)