The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has revealed the COVID-19 vaccines significantly affected the older generation after the first dose.
In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, PPB announced that the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) incident rate was highest at dose one, with older groups experiencing a higher risk.
“The COVID-19 study findings reveal that the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) incident rate was highest at dose one, with older groups experiencing a higher risk. Key recommendations include expanding active surveillance to other health products beyond the COVID-19 vaccine and increasing public awareness on vaccine safety,” PPB stated.
COVID-19 vaccine on 36-50-year-olds
PPB indicates that individuals aged 36-50 years were 1.65 times significantly at risk of experiencing AEFIs compared to those aged 12-17 years.
“When adjusting for other factors, this cohort was 1.49 times (95% confidence interval (CI): [1.13, 2.00]) at risk of AEFIs. Older age groups experienced higher risks of AEFIs,” PPB added.
PPB says participants who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were 1.24 times more likely to experience AEFIs than those who received the Pfizer vaccine with the gray cap.
“After adjusting for other factors, this group was 1.14 times (95% CI: [1.04, 1.26]) at risk of AEFIs,” the study reveals.
Individuals with chronic illnesses were 1.65 times more likely to experience AEFIS compared to those without chronic illnesses, assuming other factors were constant. When adjusted for other factors, this group was 1.36 times at risk of AEFIs.
PPB says that participants who reported a pre-vaccination event were 1.68 times at a significantly higher risk of experiencing a new event post-vaccination.
