Is there an Association between Side Effects of AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Covaxin and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines and Breakthrough Infections?

Introduction: Safe and efficacious vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), would contribute to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we examined this question that if there is an association between the incidence of side effects and the COVID-19 breakthrough infections. Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted for two months from June 22 to August 22, 2021. The study method was complete enumeration and 1474 healthcare workers who were medical staff of seven hospitals in Tehran and were vaccinated with one of the AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm vaccines. Two main questions of this questionnaire were the occurrence or non-occurrence of any side effects after receiving the vaccines and the presence or absence of COVID-19 infection after vaccination. Results: According to the results obtained, in recipients vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccine, the group that reported at least one side effects after receiving the vaccine had a significantly higher COVID-19 infection than the group reported no side effects after vaccination (P<0.001) (RR=4.55). Also in whole sample study Participants who have reported one or more side effect after COVID-19 vaccination, had 3.7 times higher risk of breakthrough infection than others (P<0.001); However Among those vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Covaxin and Sputnik vaccines, no significant difference was observed between the groups with and without side effects after vaccination in terms of later COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: It seems that participants who have reported one or more side effect after COVID-19 vaccination, had times higher risk of breakthrough infection than others.