BACKGROUND: Vaccines are one of the best interventions developed for eradicating COVID-19. In Albania, COVID-19 vaccination uses different types of vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Sputnik V. Like any other vaccine, these have side effects too. AIM: This study was carried out to identify the perception of the side effects of vaccines. METHODS: A quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and September 2021 to collect data on the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals in Shkodra region. Data were collected online through a self-administered survey created on Google Forms which had been randomly delivered to individuals (aged ≥18 years) using social media sites (Email and WhatsApp). All data collected were analyzed with Microsoft Office Excel 2010, using the exact Fisher’s test and ꭓ² test. RESULTS: This study included 292 citizens, out of which 200 were female and 92 were male; 62% were from urban areas and 38% from rural areas of Shkodra region. The random sample of the citizens who took part in this study is 44.5% (18−30 years old). A massive percentage of the participants, 66.4%, had received the second dose of the vaccine. Our study shows that 55.8% of these citizens have had side effects after the first vaccination dose, and only 43.8% have had side effects after the second dose. About 80.6% of the participants were well informed about the type of vaccine they got. CONCLUSIONS: Side effects from vaccines were reported. Injection site pain and fatigue were the most common first dose side effects (55.8%). The same side effects were reported for the second dose. The side effects were presented during the first 12 h after the vaccination in most cases. Side effects were more prevalent in people >50 years old. Older people have a higher probability to have more side effects from the COVID vaccine. There is no statistically significant relationship between gender and the presence of the side effect from the COVID vaccine. People living in urban areas have a higher probability to have side effect from COVID vaccine comparing with people living in rural areas. People being vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine have a higher probability to admit the presence of side effects.
