EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM ADVERSE EFFECTS AFTER THE COVID-19 VACCINATION: A CROSS-SETIONAL AND AN ONLINE SURVEY STUDY BASED ON PHYSICIANS IN TURKEY

Y. Sezgin, M. Şahin

Abstract: Introduction. Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant problem in the world. Each study investigating the adverse effects of vaccines will provide important literature support in the fight against vaccine hesitancy or unwillingness. We aimed to determine whether there are any long-term adverse effects after the COVID-19 vaccination.
Methodology. This research is a cross-sectional study based on data collected through an online survey. The questionnaire included four sections and 20 questions. The study population consists of 314 physicians.
Results. About 5% of women and about 10% of men have been affected by COVID-19 vaccines in terms of sexual and reproductive health. In the total population, the complaints of other than fatigue (34.7%), headache (24.8%), and joint pain (34.1%) were found to be lower than 10%. In the long-term, after vaccination, urticaria (n=3), hypertension (n=2), migraine (n=2), arthritis (n=2), hyperthyroidism (n=1), hypothyroidism (n=1), myocarditis (n=1), thrombophlebitis (n=1), arrhythmia (n=1), tenosynovitis (n=1) occurred.
Conclusions. Although COVID-19 vaccines are a high rate safe, we think that cases accompanied by long-term adverse effects after vaccination should be followed up, especially regarding sexual and reproductive health and cardiovascular risk.
Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine, adverse effects, reproductive health, cardiovascular risk.