Vaccine side effects after vaccination against COVID-19 in employees at an University Hospital in Austria

The objective of this study was to investigate symptoms after vaccination with different COVID-19 vaccines reported from employees in an Austrian University hospital. A paper-based survey was conducted among adult employees of an Austrian University Hospital after receiving a first, second or booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during January 2021 and January 2022 to identify any side effects reported by participants. The survey further inquired about the participants' demographic information, sick leave or hospitalisation due to the symptoms. Out of the approximately 5000 persons who have been vaccinated, 1093 participants completed the survey. A total of 818 of 1029 employees (79%) reported symptoms after the first, 613 of 1007 employees (61%) reported symptoms after the second and a total of 814 of 974 employees (84%) reported symptoms after booster vaccination. There were differences in the type of vaccination in relation to and number of different symptoms, sick leave as well as anxiety. In conclusion, according to the COVID-19 vaccine type, different side effects might occur following the first, second and booster doses of vaccination. These findings assist in addressing problems of vaccination hesitancy.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06035926, 2023-08-28 (retroactively registered).