Both adults and children can develop side effects of the Covid 19 Vaccine though some people do not develop any of them. These adverse effects signify that the body‘s immune system is building protection against the Corona virus. The chances of developing adverse reactions to the Covid Vaccine are not high and depend on the type of vaccine received.
The side effects of the Covid 19 Vaccine include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. Other common side effects include low grade fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhea, nausea and feeling unwell.
Though these vaccine reactions can be severe and limit a person’s ability to do their activities of daily living, they are usually mild and last for a few days before resolving. They can be managed by resting, drinking plenty of water or fruit drinks and taking paracetamol. One should contact their doctor if the side effects increase over time or if they do not resolve in a couple of days.
Red, itchy, painful and swollen rashes can also develop around the area that received the Covid 19 Vaccine. These rashes which are known as the “Covid arm” usually start a few days after the shot. Itchy rashes are treated with an antihistamine like cetirizine while painful ones are treated with an analgesic like paracetamol or ibuprofen. After developing the Covid arm one should still get their second vaccination dose or booster shot but on the other arm.
Severe allergic reactions to the Covid 19 Vaccine have also developed in some people after being vaccinated albeit rarely. Symptoms of these allergic reactions include swellings on the body known as hives, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat or lips. These reactions which are also known as anaphylaxis, are more likely to develop in persons who have received mRNA COVID 19 Vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna. These anaphylactic reactions are medical emergencies and the person should seek immediate medical attention. Persons who have developed severe allergic reactions after being vaccinated should not get the second dose or booster dose of the vaccine that triggered the reaction. They can receive the viral vector Johson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine instead.
Rare side effects of the Covid 19 Vaccine include myocarditis which is inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis which is inflammation of the lining outside the heart. One should consult their doctor if they get symptoms of these conditions which include chest pain, difficulty breathing and feeling the heart beating quickly. These conditions tend to occur in adolescents and young male adults especially after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer or Modern vaccines.
Another rare side effect of the Covid 19 Vaccine that tends to occur in young women aged less than 50 years who have received the J&J vaccine is thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). This condition causes blood clots with low levels of platelets and its symptoms include easy bruising, small spots of blood under the skin, persistent headaches, persistent abdominal pain, blurred vision, shortness of breath and chest pain. Ladies who develop these symptoms after being vaccinated should consult their doctor immediately.
According to the CDC, side effects of third COVID-19 booster shot tend to be milder than those of the second vaccine dose. These adverse effects include fatigue, fever and headaches and they develop one of two days after the third dose.
The benefits of being vaccinated against Corona virus far outweigh the vaccine’s potential risks. Therefore get vaccinated and share with us in the comments section any side effects of the Covid 19 Vaccine that you develop.