Abstract
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Abstract
Year 2021
October 2021

SHBC1632

Abstract Title
Adverse Reactions Reported During the 30-minute Observation Period After COVID-19 Vaccination at Toa Payoh Polyclinic
Authors

L.Y.TAN1, M.HUANG1, K.W.TAN1, W.L.DAVID NG1, S.X.POON1, R.M. BALASUBRAMANIAM1, H.C.LAM1, S. LITSHUMANAN1

Institutions

National Healthcare Group Polyclinics1

Background & Hypothesis

Toa Payoh Polyclinic started providing mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty) since January 2021. The vaccine consists of two doses, 3-8 weeks apart. Patients who have received the vaccine are observed for adverse effects for 30-minutes before discharge. We sought to describe the common adverse effects patients experienced within this 30-minute period.

Methods

We audited records of patients who required a doctors’ consultation within 30 minutes post-vaccination. Adverse effects were noted. Patients who reported reactions beyond the 30-minute period were not included in this audit.

Results

From January to June 2021, a total of 24300 doses were administered. Of these, 13136 were first doses, and 11164 were second doses.

40 patients reported side effects in dose 1 (0.30%). The commonest reactions documented were nausea (15%), rash and itch (15%), chest pain, fatigue, throat tightness (12.5% each) and shortness of breath (10%). 3 patients were treated for suspected anaphylaxis with intramuscular adrenaline.

8 patients reported side effects in dose 2 (0.07%). The commonest reactions documented were giddiness (25%), myalgia (25%), headache, shortness of breath, hypertension, chills, and throat tightness (12.5% each). None were treated for anaphylaxis.

Discussion & Conclusion

We focused on the immediate post vaccination period in this audit, and therefore the frequency of adverse effects were much less compared to existing literature. There was a difference in the type of symptoms between dose 1 and 2.

This information is useful to update vaccination centres with the common symptoms to expect and manage in the immediate post-vaccination period.

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