Reports of suspected adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines in Switzerland – update

Bern, 24.09.2021 - Up to 21 September 2021, Swissmedic evaluated 7,571 reports on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR) to COVID-19 vaccinations in Switzerland. At 4,970 (65.6 %), most of the reports were classified as not serious, while 2,601 (34.4 %) reports were classified as serious.

Most of the reports (4'256 or 56.2 %) were submitted by medical professionals, while a relatively large number (3,314, or 56.2 %) came directly from those affected, i.e. the patients. The average age of those affected was 54.4 years, with 16.4% aged 75 or over. In the cases classified as serious, the average age was 57.1 years, and for reports temporally linked to a death it was 80.1 years. In 145 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. 5,070 (67 %) reports involve Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine (around 66% of the vaccine doses administered), while 2,371 (31.3%) are associated with Pfizer/BioNTech’s Comirnaty® (approx. 33% administered vaccine doses). In 130 (1.7%) 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.


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https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-85255.html