Reports of suspected adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines in Switzerland – update
Bern, 23.07.2021 - Up to 29 June 2021, Swissmedic evaluated 4,319 reports on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR) to COVID-19 vaccinations in Switzerland. The majority of the reports involved more than one reaction. At 2,782 (64.4 %), most of the reports were classified as not serious, while 1,537 (35.6 %) reports were classified as serious.
Most of the reports were submitted by medical professionals, while a relatively large number (1,109, or 25.7 %) came directly from those affected, i.e. the patients. The average age of those affected was 60.2 years (range 16–101), with 25.7% aged 75 or over. In the cases classified as serious, the average age was 63.7 years, and for reports temporally linked to a death it was 80.5 years. In 128 serious cases, the people concerned died at differing intervals after receiving the vaccine. Despite a chronological correlation, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the vaccination was the cause of death.
The majority of the reports concerned women and there were a few cases where no gender was specified. 1,632 (37.8 %) reports involve Pfizer/BioNTech’s Comirnaty®, while 2,611 (60,4 %) are associated with Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. In 76 (1.8 %) cases, the vaccine was not specified.
The reports of adverse reactions received and analysed to date do not alter the positive benefit-risk profile of the COVID-19 vaccines used in Switzerland. This largely confirms their known side effects profile. Known side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are listed in the continually updated medicinal product information texts published on www.swissmedicinfo.ch.
Address for enquiries
Swissmedic
Media Unit
+41 58 462 02 76
media@swissmedic.ch
Links
Publisher
Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products
http://www.swissmedic.ch/?lang=2
