Table 2.
Event rate classified based on review of organ systems and descending order of occurrence.
| Symptoms after the first and/or second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine | Percentage reported | Number of HCWs reporting symptom (n) |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized symptom/s | ||
| Generalized weakness/fatigue | 58.89% | 391 |
| Headache | 45.48% | 302 |
| Chills | 36.60% | 243 |
| Fever | 21.99% | 146 |
| Sweating | 9.64% | 64 |
| Dizziness | 9.04% | 60 |
| Flushing | 8.13% | 54 |
| Localized symptom/s | ||
| Sore arm/pain | 88.04% | 707 |
| Localized swelling at the injection site | 5.48% | 44 |
| Itching | 5.35% | 43 |
| Lymphadenopathy (axillary or regional) | 3.36% | 27 |
| Rasha | 2.49% | 20 |
| Residual skin discoloration | 1.25% | 10 |
| Bleeding | 0.37% | 3 |
| Loss of hair locally | 0.12% | 1 |
| Musculoskeletal symptom/s | ||
| Muscle pain/myalgia | 45.70% | 367 |
| Arthritis/joint pains | 16.56% | 133 |
| Muscle stiffness/spasm | 9.59% | 77 |
| Gastrointestinal symptom/s | ||
| Nausea | 15.94% | 128 |
| Decreased appetitea | 5.73% | 46 |
| Diarrhoea | 4.61% | 37 |
| Abdominal pain | 3.11% | 25 |
| Vomiting | 1.49% | 12 |
| Heartburn | 1.12% | 9 |
| Constipation | 0.37% | 3 |
| Food intolerance | 0.25% | 2 |
| Psychological and/or psychiatric symptom/s | ||
| Feelings of joy/relief/gratitude | 6.35% | 51 |
| Decreased sleep quality | 5.35% | 43 |
| Anxiety | 2.49% | 20 |
| Increase in sleep | 2.12% | 17 |
| Psychological stress | 0.75% | 6 |
| Decrease in memory | 0.75% | 6 |
| Depression | 0.37% | 3 |
| Manic/hypermanic mood changes | 0.37% | 3 |
| Behavioural changes | 0.12% | 1 |
| Neurological symptom/s | ||
| Brain fogging or reduced mental clarity/attention/concentration | 5.85% | 47 |
| Tingling | 4.86% | 39 |
| Numbness | 2.86% | 23 |
| Vertigo like symptoms | 2.49% | 20 |
| Paralysis/extremity weakness | 0.62% | 5 |
| Incoordination | 0.50% | 4 |
| Reactivation of shingles | 0.25% | 2 |
| Loss of consciousness/fainting | 0.25% | 2 |
| Seizures | 0.12% | 1 |
| Facial weakness | 0.12% | 1 |
| Head/ear/eyes/nose/throat symptom/s | ||
| Nasal stuffiness | 4.61% | 37 |
| Sore throat | 2.99% | 24 |
| Runny nose | 2.24% | 18 |
| Ringing sensation in ears | 1.99% | 16 |
| Ear pain | 1.12% | 9 |
| Eye pain | 0.87% | 7 |
| Blurring of vision | 0.50% | 4 |
| Changes in hearing | 0.37% | 3 |
| Hoarseness | 0.37% | 3 |
| Flashing lights | 0.25% | 2 |
| Ear discharge | 0.12% | 1 |
| Bleeding gums | 0.12% | 1 |
| Endocrine symptom/s | ||
| Decreased appetiteb | 5.73% | 46 |
| Heat/cold intolerance | 3.24% | 26 |
| Increased thirst | 1.12% | 9 |
| Increased appetite | 0.87% | 7 |
| Increased urine production | 0.25% | 2 |
| Cardiovascular symptom/s | ||
| Palpitations | 4.36% | 35 |
| Chest pain | 1.12% | 9 |
| Blood pressure changes | 0.87% | 7 |
| Syncope | 0.12% | 1 |
| Respiratory symptom/s | ||
| Shortness of breath | 1.99% | 16 |
| Cough | 0.87% | 7 |
| Wheezing | 0.25% | 2 |
| Urinary symptom/s | ||
| Urgent need to urinate | 0.75% | 6 |
| Frequent urination at night | 0.37% | 3 |
| Difficulty in urination | 0.12% | 1 |
| Pain or burning on urination | 0.12% | 1 |
| Allergic symptom/s | ||
| Rasha | 2.49% | 20 |
| Hives | 0.62% | 5 |
| Swelling in mouth/ throat | 0.37% | 3 |
| Atopic eczema | 0.25% | 2 |
| Swelling of lips or tongue | 0.12% | 1 |
| Effect on activity or need for medical attention | ||
| Trouble to perform regular daily living activities temporarily | 12.83% | 103 |
| Required transient time off from work | 12.33% | 99 |
| Required to seek help from outpatient provider | 2.49% | 20 |
| Required to seek help from emergency department provider | 0.62% | 5 |
| Required to hospitalize and subsequent inpatient care | 0.25% | 2 |
HCWs, healthcare workers.
a
Included in localized and allergic symptom classification.
b
Included in gastrointestinal and endocrine symptom classification.