Symptoms and Complications Associated with COVID-19 Infection and Its Vaccination in Iraq: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of vaccinations in providing immunity to vaccinated individuals in Iraq and to investigate the potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and the risk factors associated with virus infection. The research was conducted at the University of Basrah, where respondents were polled in February 2022 about their history of getting the Corona Virus 2019 vaccine and their history of getting infected with the virus before getting the vaccine. In addition, the questionnaire included questions about symptoms during infection, infection severity, health problems faced after recovery, the number of infection instances before and after vaccination, and side effects after vaccination. People were also questioned about their past ailments and some of their behaviors. According to findings, 55.1% of individuals had not been infected (who had no previous history of virus infection), while 44.9%, consisting in 46.4% females and 41.3% males, had been infected. The majority of infected individuals developed a fever and a loss of smell and taste. Shortness of breath and coughing, among other symptoms, were reported by almost all of the other affected patients. Recovery duration for those infected with the virus ranged from one to five weeks. The research discovered that all of the vaccinated participants with any of the three vaccinations were immune and that immunization protected them against viral infection. On the other hand, the side effects connected with the three immunizations were ranged from mild to severe, including fever, joint pains, vomiting, and anorexia, etc.