- Safety of the bivalent COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccination among persons aged over 18 years in the Republic of Korea
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Seok-Kyoung Choi, Seontae Kim, Mijeong Ko, Yeseul Heo, Tae Eun Kim, Yeonkyeong Lee, Juyeon Jang, Eunok Bahng
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Received July 8, 2024 Accepted September 5, 2024 Published online October 17, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0194
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Abstract
- Objectives
The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea.
Methods Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and BA.4/5 for adults 18 and older. Adverse events were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a text-based active surveillance system.
Results Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious adverse events from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious adverse events, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic adverse events compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported adverse events were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.
Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer adverse reactions compared to the original vaccines. The majority of adverse events were non-serious, and serious adverse events were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.
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