Finland, Mexico report severe effects to Pfizer vaccine; Argentina sees mild reactions to Sputnik V

Countries that have begun their inoculation drives against the coronavirus have begun reporting cases of adverse reactions to Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine candidate and Russia's Sputnik V.

Finland has reported its first adverse effect case due to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on January 2. As per the Finnish Medicines Agency, there are "at least five such reports", ANI reported.

Agency Chief Physician Maija Kaukonen said details of the same will be uploaded to their website, but no other information could be disclosed to maintain patient confidentiality. Kaukonen noted that the number of such cases is likely to increase due to allergic or adverse reactions.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old doctor in Mexico has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to severe medical allergy to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The doctor developed rashes, suffered seizures, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties and possible encephalomyelitis within half an hour of vaccination, Mexico's Health Ministry said on January 2, ANI reported.

While cause of the reaction is "being investigated" the patient has a history of allergic reactions to medication.

Pfizer-BioNTech's doses are not the only one in the spotlight. Argentina's Health Ministry on January 2 said only 1 percent of those who received doses of the Sputnik V vaccine developed mild adverse reactions to the shot, ANI reported.

The South American country acquired 300,000 doses, and 317 of the total 32,013 patients (mostly healthcare workers) who received the COVID-19 vaccine since December 29, have so far complained of fever and headaches, it added.

Russia claims Sputnik V is 92 percent effective based on data from 16,000 trial participants.