After almost a year-long struggle, scientists from different countries were able to develop effective vaccines for COVID-19. While people rejoiced this news, they were also apprehensive about getting vaccinated first. It is natural to be cautious about a new vaccine when it doesn’t have much of a success rate. However, since the start of 2021, countries have started the vaccine drive and people are getting vaccinated daily. Many people have reported that they experienced side effects right after receiving their dose. These reports did not single out a particular brand of vaccine. All the vaccines currently being administered worldwide have some side effects on the human body.
Israel Figa talks about the common side effects that people experience after getting their dose and clarifies when you should get in touch with a doctor for them.
COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
Common Side Effects
The common side effects usually start showing up a couple of hours after getting vaccinated. However, what makes them bearable is the fact that they only last a few days at most. Some of the common side effects from all the vaccines are pain/swelling/redness at the site of injection, fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, chills, fever, and headache. You can relieve these symptoms with mild over-the-counter pills but always consult with your doctor before doing so. Israel Figa advises people against taking medication prior to the vaccination to eliminate the chances of getting these side effects.
It is important to know that the COVID-19 vaccine is only effective against SARS-CoV-2, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and take care of your body to help it recover faster.
Concerning Side Effects
Despite the common nature of vaccines having side effects on your body, you should keep a close eye on any other changes that you may feel. These may include anything from shortness of breath, skin rashes, allergic reactions, severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain, and severe forms of the common symptoms. If you feel that the symptoms are more than what you were told to expect, immediately seek medical help as it could be a serious issue. Moreover, if the swelling, redness, or pain at the site gets worse, it is also a concerning symptom.
While you may be deterred from getting the second dose of vaccine after experiencing these symptoms, Israel Figa says that you should not make the decision unless your doctor advises you to. Your first step should be to call the emergency helpline if you are experiencing severe symptoms.
Long-term Side Effects
The most common side effects and the serious side effects come up after a few days of administration. The vaccines for COIVD-19 are being distributed around the world since December 2020. And so far, no one has come out with long-lasting symptoms from getting vaccinated. In a time of paranoia, it is important to remember that not all illnesses that you may experience are from the vaccine. The approved vaccines were thoroughly tested before getting the approval to provide them to the world’s population. So, it is safe to say that any of the COVID-19 vaccines that you may get will not have any long-term effects on your body. And if you experience anything out of the ordinary, you should immediately report to your closest medical facility because such rare cases will help experts figure out what they need to fix.
Concluding Thoughts
It is important to know that just because you are experiencing side effects from the vaccine doesn’t mean that it’s faulty. On the contrary, it’s actually a good thing because it means that your body is responding to it. Your body is exposed to new chemicals and bacteria after being administered and the side effects are a sign that it is building an immune system against it. Many people are choosing not to get vaccinated because of these side effects. Israel Figa tells people to think of it as a machine getting warm after being in use.
