Side effects of COVID-19 booster vaccine: Self-reported musculoskeletal side effects from school of natural sciences students

Introduction: The study aims to determine the musculoskeletal side effects after the administration of homologous or heterologous COVID-19 Booster Shot. Methods: Quantitative descriptive survey design was used through an online questionnaire-checklist on a total enumeration of 313 participants. Frequency distribution on identified musculoskeletal side effects and Chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of respondents and booster shot combinations on the musculoskeletal side effects experienced after booster shot inoculation. Results: Study revealed 243 (77.6%) females, and 70 (22.4%) males received COVID-19 booster shots; 186 (59.4%) acquired homologous vaccines and 127 (40.6%) had heterologous vaccines. Difficulty raising the arm (M = 83.1%), numbness on the injection site (M = 66.1%), and fatigue (M = 47.9%) were the leading musculoskeletal side effects reported. There is a significant difference (p = 0.048) in difficulty of walking between the sexes, with males experiencing this side effect more (7.1%) than females (2.1%). There is no significant difference in the musculoskeletal side effects for respondents who opt for homologous or heterologous COVID-19 booster combinations, p> 0.05. Discussion: Musculoskeletal side effects such as difficulty raising the arm, numbness on or around the injection site, and fatigue following the administration of COVID-19 Booster shot are normal regardless of booster combination. Hence, health education on expected musculoskeletal side effects must be given to the public. Application of ice packs on the injection site and mild arm movement exercises to decrease the musculoskeletal discomforts from booster shots may be advised to future vaccine recipients.