First report into side-effects of Covid vaccines in France

The report analysed data from across the country and grouped the results by vaccine type, including Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca

28 February 2021

Agency l’agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM) analysed vaccination data from across the country’s medical monitoring centres

By Hannah Thompson

The French medicines safety agency has published its first analysis of the side-effects caused by the Covid-19 vaccines, since the start of the campaign rollout in France.

Agency l’agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM) analysed data from across the country’s medical monitoring centres les centres régionaux de pharmacovigilance (CRPV).

The report grouped its findings by vaccine type.

Pfizer/BioNTech

There were 5,331 unwanted side effects between December 27 and February 18, out of 3,330,296 injections.

There were 169 deaths in the same period after vaccination, with no link established between the deaths and the vaccine.

The most common side effects included flu-like symptoms, such as fever, and muscle pain. These were more likely and more noticeable after the second dose.

There were 75 cases reported of serious high blood pressure issues, causing symptoms such as dizziness. There were 56 cases of cardiac issues, and 10 of facial paralysis.

Moderna

There were 148 cases of unwanted side effects reported since January 22, of which 9% were serious.

The side effects were mainly skin issues, muscle pain, and digestive issues. Four people had severe side effects including heart problems.

One death has been reported, but no link established.

A total of 129,510 people have received at least one dose of the Moderna jab since January 22 in France.

AstraZeneca

There were 971 cases of unwanted side effects reported, between February 6-18. Of these, 93% were flu-like symptoms, 72% of which disappeared within 24 hours.

The most common side effect was pain and inflammation at the injection site, digestive issues and muscle pain.

There were four serious cases; one stroke, two people with loss of taste, and one death reported following the vaccine.

There is no suggestion that any of the deaths were caused directly by the vaccines.

To this date, France has received 7,702,260 vaccine doses in total. A total of 2,917,925 people have received at least one dose, and 1,560,575 have received their second.