Anxiety and Association with COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Headache Symptoms

Abstract

Objective: In order to prevent the pandemic, widespread vaccination work has gradually begun in Turkey. We aimed to determine the level of pain, headache and anxiety among the neuropsychiatric symptoms after the vaccination was given to the healthcare workers. Methods: Healthcare workers who have recieved the COVID-19 vaccine were given a questionnaire via the internet after the second dose of the vaccination. A form consisting of 34 questionnaire questions about their demographic characteristics, whether they experienced pain or headache after vaccination and the Beck Anxiety scale was to be filled. Results: In our study, the data of 484 participants was examined. 31.1% of the participants reported experiencing a headache after the vaccination. In the univariable model, mild anxiety symptoms were 2.6 times higher, moderate anxiety symptoms 4.5 times, and severe anxiety symptoms 7.2 times higher risk for headache. Similarly, it was observed that patients with previous headache were 2 times higher risk in the univariable model than those without. Conclusion: We suggest that the assessment of anxiety level during vaccination after COVID-19 vaccination can be an important indicator in predicting the development of headache. Further studies on this will be important in optimizing vaccination programs and ensuring social immunity.