Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Medical Students in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study surveyed 305 Bangladeshi medical students to assess side effects from COVID-19 vaccinations, finding that 90.5% reported at least one side effect, with local pain, fever, rash, headache, and myalgia being the most common. Side effects decreased with subsequent doses, and females were more likely to experience them after the second dose. Pfizer-BioNTech was associated with fewer third-dose side effects compared to Moderna. Less common side effects included psychological symptoms (5.7%) and alopecia (3.6%). Overall, the vaccines were well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild and self-limiting, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication to enhance vaccine confidence among medical students. The study also highlighted the need for improved vaccine-related training in medical curricula and broader studies for better understanding of these outcomes.