COVID-19 Vaccination in Adolescents: Side Effects and Symptomatic Reinfections

Abstract

Background: Although the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the disease remains a public health threat. Contracting and transmitting SARS-COV-2 among individuals under 18 is significant. Objectives: This study aims to identify potential side effects and symptomatic reinfections among 12-18-year-olds after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: In this longitudinal study conducted in 2021 - 2022 in Dezful, Iran, 1,000 vaccinated individuals were followed up for 6 months. Side effects and symptomatic reinfections of the first and second doses of PastoCovac and Sinopharm vaccines and a history of prior SARS-COV-2 infection were recorded. Results: Only 7.6% received the PastoCovac vaccine, while 92.4% received the Sinopharm vaccine. The most common side effect for both vaccines was local pain at the injection site, while the least common was skin rash. Side effects were 1.9 times more prevalent with the PastoCovac vaccination. Women had a 2.3 times higher chance of experiencing side effects after the first dose and a 1.9 times higher chance after the second dose compared to men. Over the 6-month follow-up period, 11.6% and 14.3% of individuals experienced re-infection after the first and second vaccine doses, respectively. It seems with the passage of time and the decrease in the level of immunity, the possibility of re-infection increases. Conclusions: Both vaccines were considered safe for 12-18-year-olds. However, receiving two doses does not guarantee protection against reinfection.