Like any other vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can also cause mild and short-term side effects- like a low-grade fever, or pain at the injection spot. Most reactions from the vaccines are mild and fade away in a few days. Long-lasting or more serious covid vaccine side effects are also possible but are extremely rare. Vaccines are continually monitored for as long as they are in use, to detect rare adverse events and to implement approaches to limit their occurrence.
Many countries require a vaccination certificate to allow entry. So, get your COVID19 vaccine as soon as you can.
In case the country you are flying to needs a “fit-to-fly” certificate, get a COVID19 test done with Seychelles Medical.
How Effective Is The Covid Vaccine?
Before talking about the possible side effects of Covid vaccines, it is essential to be aware of the available vaccines in the market. They are:
Pfizer – BioNTech
On Friday, November 20, 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was submitted to the FDA for consideration of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and was approved on December 11. Adolescents of age 12 to 15 years are now allowed to have this vaccine in the United States.
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations have been linked to very rare instances of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, in certain young adults and adolescents. The total shots to be received are two, and they have to be 21 days apart.
Moderna
On November 16, Moderna released a preliminary data readout for their mRNA vaccine, indicating a 94.5 percent effectiveness rate. The FDA approved it on December 19. The total number of shots to be received is two; they have to be taken 28 days apart.
There are so many covid vaccine facts and myths. Read our blog to know more about.
What Are The Side Effects Of The Covid Vaccine?
After a series of rigorous clinical trials, safety, and efficacy data, COVID-19 vaccines have been made available to the general population. As per the guidelines of WHO, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and help people to protect themselves from getting COVID-19 infection.
Vaccines are the way to provide immunity against life-threatening diseases. Doctors say that some people may develop mild-to-moderate side effects due to their immune response after vaccination, which is normal. Mild to moderate side effects go away after a couple of days.
These are the common vaccination side effects that affect bodily functions and their ability to perform activities:
- Swelling or redness at the spot of injection
- Dizziness
- Body and muscle pain
- Feeling ill, Malaise, uneasy, or discomfort
- Headache
- Fatigue, feeling tired
- Nausea
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
How Long Do Covid Vaccine Side Effects Last?
COVID-19 vaccine side effects last for 2 to 3 days of getting the vaccine. For some people, side effects can stay over three days because of the immune response to the vaccine antibodies.
Few people have not reported any side effects. So, it’s totally normal not to have any side effects. Everybody responds differently after they have received the vaccine.
Side effects are more common after the second dose than the first one. These side effects vanish after a few days.
What Are The Long-Term Covid 19 Vaccine Side Effects?
After getting the vaccine, a person should stay for 15 to 30 minutes at the vaccination center to take an impulsive reaction in the immediate medical attention.
Rarely, some people can also develop long term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. That involves:
- Acute muscle pain
- Persistent fever with chills
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Thromboembolism
- Severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis
Some people also reported having long-term side effects after vaccination. After taking the vaccine, the body develops immunity against SARS CoV 2. It can also compromise the immune system if the person has other health conditions.
In such conditions, they should consult the primary care physician and get the medications to overcome the long-term side effects.
People also doubt if the COVID-19 vaccine can lead to a Coronavirus infection. COVID-19 vaccines don’t make anyone sick with Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It takes a few weeks for the Covid vaccine to develop antibodies in the body.
Currently, research is on to find more relevant data related to the long-term effects of the COVID vaccine. Still, people are not fully vaccinated yet.
What Are The Side Effects Of Covid Vaccine Second Dose?
Side effects can be intense after your second shot compared to the first one. These effects are normal indications that your body is building protection against the virus and should go away in a few days.
The first dose prepares the body on how to react against the virus. Side effects are more common in young people compared to elderly people. Older people are less likely to form any side effects, as per the recent data.
Comparatively, the COVID-19 vaccine second dose shows stronger side effects. These are a few common side effects reported right after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:
- Painful arm
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever with chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea and Vomiting
Immune system response after the second dose is stronger. The side effects are more commonly seen after the double dose in many people. If you have had the COVID-19 vaccine and developed any severe allegoric reaction, you should seek immediate medical attention.
After full vaccination, people are free to resume their regular activities simultaneously. Don’t forget to follow precautions like wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and regularly washing hands using soap or sanitizer.
Vaccinated people show improvements in post Covid symptoms. As per recent reports, long term Covid patients felt better after taking the vaccine and saw phenomenal resolution in symptoms.
Side Effects Of Covid 19 Vaccine On The Arm Where You Got The Shot:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness
Helpful Tips to Relieve Side Effects
Before taking any over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines, acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin, always talk to your doctor first. These medications can help relieve post-vaccination side effects. But always make sure that you don’t have any other medical reasons that don’t allow these medicines.
You can take these medicines before vaccination to prevent the intensity of the side effects.
To Reduce Discomfort Or Pain Where You Got The Shot
- Put a clean, cold, and wet washcloth over the shot area.
- Exercise arm or use it for light activities
To Reduce Discomfort From Fever
- Calm the hot forehead by placing a cool and wet towel
- Drink plenty of fluids.
Side Effects If You Received a Booster Shot
A booster shot is different from the two-shot series; however, they both have similar side effects. The common side effects of a booster shot are pain at the injection site and fatigue. It’s rare to see some serious side effects by booster shots, just like the two-shot series.
Things To Remember About Covid Vaccine Effectiveness
Side effects post-vaccination can affect your ability to carry out daily activities, but they usually go away in a few days. The Moderna vaccines and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine both need two shots to get the most protection. It’s totally fine to get the second shot even after the side effects of the first shot unless a vaccination provider tells you not to get it.
COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is only for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who finished their initial series at least six months ago. Naturally, the human body takes time to build protection after any vaccination.
People are considered entirely vaccinated two weeks after the second shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or at least two weeks after the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC monitors the safety of COVID-19 vaccines closely. Suppose scientists find a connection between vaccines and safety issues. In that case, FDA and the vaccine manufacturer works toward an appropriate solution to address the specific safety concern (for instance, a problem with a specific lot, a manufacturing issue, or the vaccine itself).
Conclusion
Till now, millions of people have taken the COVID-19 vaccines, with nobody exhibiting long-term side effects. Side effects are common, but not something you should worry about. Vaccination is the priority no matter what, and also, there are counter medications for mild or severe side effects.
Frequesntly Asked Questions
It’s common to develop a fever after vaccination. This usually happens within 48 hours of the vaccination and goes away after 48 hours.
You do not need to book a test or self-isolate unless you have other coronavirus symptoms or:
- The occupational health team or NHS Test and Protect tells if you have been in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.
- You live with someone who recently tested positive for coronavirus
- You live with someone having symptoms of coronavirus
- If the fever starts after 48 hours from the time of vaccination or even lasts longer than 48 hours, you should book a test or self-isolate.
Taking painkillers like paracetamol before the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent side effects is not a good recommendation. This is because the news is not officially out yet about how eating painkillers affect the function of a vaccine in the body.
It’s common for people to develop symptoms that are not typical of COVID-19. These include symptoms such as loss of taste, loss of smell, and diarrhea. This means that some people belonging to the category of asymptomatic carriers can be shifted to the mildly symptomatic category; keeping these makes sure you follow strict personal hygiene practices and guidelines and government protocols for quarantine and lockdown.
People in the high-risk category need to be extra cautious and seek medical attention as soon as they develop symptoms of COVID-19. These include people who are:
- Over 60 years of age
- Patients with uncontrolled diabetes
- Have significant heart, kidney, lung disease, or have immune dysfunction.
- On oral steroids
- Patient of a solid organ or bone marrow transplant
- Patients on chemotherapy
