D3.521 - Dermatologic adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination has been instrumental in reducing disease transmission and severity. Nevertheless, it may be associated with adverse events, particularly cutaneous reactions. This study aims to describe the skin-related side effects observed following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among healthcare personnel who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Occupational Medicine Department of Farhat Hached University Hospital in Sousse, during the open-door vaccination days in 2021. Data on side effects were collected through telephone interviews.

Among the 213 vaccinated individuals, 17% reported cutaneous manifestations after the first dose and 5.1% after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Local redness following the first dose was observed in 10.6% of participants, with 87.5% classified as minimal grade (2–5 cm in diameter). Local swelling was reported in 13.6% of cases, of which 93.3% were also minimal grade. After the second dose, local redness was noted in 2.1% of participants, mostly minimal (80%), while local swelling was observed in 4.7% of cases, 90.9% of which were minimal grade. A single case of a grade 2 allergic reaction—characterized by edema, bronchospasm, and hypotension responsive to treatment—was recorded after the second dose. Female participants were three times more likely to develop local swelling after the first dose (p = 0.04; OR = 3.24).

In addition to systemic manifestations, cutaneous side effects following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination are relatively frequent. Nonetheless, the vaccine remains highly effective in preventing severe forms of COVID-19