Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: need of a reasoned and effective vaccine campaign

Vallée, Alexandre; Chan-Hew-Wai, Aurélie; Bonan, Brigitte; Lesprit, Philippe; Parquin, François; Catherinot, Émilie; Choucair, Jad; Billard, David; Amiel-Taieb, Carline; Camps, Ève; Cerf, Charles; Zucman, David; Fourn, Erwan

Objectives A strong COVID-19 vaccine campaign is needed to reach the herd immunity and reduce this pandemic infection. Study design In the Foch Hospital, France, in February 2021, 451 healthcare workers were vaccinated by a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. Methods Adverse effects were reported to our pharmaco-vigilance circuit, by an online and anonymous questionnaire following the first weeks of the vaccinal campaign to healthcare workers. Results 274 (60.8%) of them reported multiple adverse effects. Main adverse effects reported were feverish state/chills (65.7%), fatigue/physical discomfort (62.4%), arthralgia/muscle pain (61.0%) and fever (44.5%). Conclusions On March 2021 many European countries suspended AstraZeneca vaccine for one week due to safety uncertainty. Thus, confidence in its efficacy is undermined. However, the benefit/risk balance is clearly in favor of vaccination.