COVID-19 vaccines: What are its side effects?
The COVID-19 pandemic may not yet be over this January 2021, especially since the new COVID-19 variant is spreading globally and many fear that it has already reached the Philippines. Nevertheless, humanity may be inching closer to the conclusion of the pandemic as vaccinations have already begun in other countries such as China, U.S., England, United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, and Germany.
Do COVID-19 vaccines have side effects? / Source: Pexels
Soon, the Philippines will also begin inoculations once the issue regarding procurement and distribution have been ironed out.
However, even if several local government units have already allotted a budget for COVID-19 vaccinations, a problem has suddenly reared its ugly head: not a lot of people want to get vaccinated.
It's human nature to doubt or question the safety or effectiveness of something new and foreign such as the COVID-19 vaccines.
Even though several clinical trials have been conducted to prove that the COVID-19 vaccines work and won't cause harm in humans, people can't help but fear possible adverse effects or side effects.
In fact, a recent OCTA Research survey reveals that only 25% of Metro Manila residents are willing to get vaccinated.
So, are there really side effects and adverse events that people should be wary about before getting the COVID-19 vaccines? Read on to find out.
Side effects vs. adverse events
First of all, it's important to establish the difference between side effects and adverse events.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), side effects are health problems that are directly caused by the vaccine, while adverse events are health issues that may occur after vaccination and can be either caused by the vaccine or are purely coincidental.
Side effects include natural reactions to the vaccine, such as allergies.
Adverse events, on the other hand, can be totally unrelated health problems that unfortunately show up after you get vaccinated, or it could also be caused by the vaccine itself.
The only way to tell for sure is through thorough examination conducted by certified health professionals.
COVID-19 vaccines side effects that you should know about / Source: Pexels
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
Like any medication, reactions to a vaccine may differ from person to person and they usually occur for only one or two days.
According to the CDC, these reactions mean that the vaccine is working to teach your immune system how to fight off COVID-19, if you ever get exposed to it.
Here are some of the possible side effects that people can expect after getting the COVID-19 vaccines according to CDC, National Health Service in Scotland (NHS Scotland), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
1. Swelling, pain and redness at the injection site
2. Sore arm or muscles
3. Chills
4. Joint pain
5. Headache
6. Feeling tired
7. Fever
8. Swelling of glands (may last up to 2 weeks)
9. Difficulty breathing (rare but possible)
It is common to develop fever after getting vaccinated and it usually happens within 48 hours of the inoculation. It often goes away within 48 hours and can be addressed by taking paracetamol.
The FDA reports that more people experienced side effects after the second dose compared to their first dose.
So, if you plan to get vaccinated, expect these side effects on your first dose and more so on your second dose.
Take note also that feeling the side effects doesn't necessarily mean that you have contracted COVID-19, and you do not need to self-isolate or have a COVID-19 test done unless you experience other COVID-19 symptoms or:
1. You have been told by authorized health professionals or institutes that you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
2. You live with someone who has recently tested positive
3. You live with someone who has symptoms
Furthermore, it is important to get your second dose even if you experience mild side effects after the first dose, as this will guarantee the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Should you experience serious adverse reactions such as difficulty breathing--although CDC claims that it is very unlikely to happen--you should rush to the nearest emergency room.
Check out also all the myths and facts about COVID-19.
For more important health-related content like this, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic, visit GMA's COVID-19 page.