What side effects should we expect after taking vaccine?
Question: I am planning to get the vaccine, what side effects should I expect?
Answer: Good to hear you plan to be vaccinated. Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from getting the coronavirus infection. At present two vaccines, Pfizer and the Moderna, are available and they both require two doses. Data on other vaccines will be available soon.
Vaccine side effects can be lumped into three major categories: Mild such as body ache and soreness in the arm, moderate such as headache and severe that may cause shortness of breath.
Fortunately moderate and severe side effects are very rare. There is no evidence of Bell's palsy or Guillainbarre syndrome after the vaccine, most reported cases were incidental illnesses, since so many people are getting vaccinated.
What are some mild and moderate side effects?
Mild side effects feel like when one is recovering from a flu or a cold, lasting for 24 hours. Over half the people vaccinated may have of a body ache, fatigue and some headache.
Small percentage will have fever, chills, and some nausea. Keep in mind the vaccine cannot give you the coronavirus illness, it is just a sign that your body is building resistance against the virus.
What are severe side effects from the vaccine?
In rare cases persons can have shortness of breath or anaphylaxis, for this reason people are observed for 15 minutes after the shot, when majority side effects will occur.
Among millions of people vaccinated only a handful of such reactions have occurred.
Do people have more side effects after the second dose?
Yes. You may have more side effects with the second shot.
But, again, this is good evidence that your body is building a strong immune response to the virus, and building stronger antibodies to protect you if you are ever exposed to the virus.
Who do I notify if I have a side effect?
You can notify the vaccination site or your doctor if you have severe side effects. Also you can report side effects of www.cdc.gov/vsafe and also get friendly reminders about your second shot.
If the redness and tenderness in your arm increases after 24-48 hours or your overall symptoms are getting worse over time, talk with your doctor.
If I have mild or moderate side effects, how do I manage them?
Plan to take it easy for one to two days after the vaccine. Over the counter medicine such as Tylenol and Advil can help in decreasing the body ache and fever.
I have not gotten a flu shot. Is it OK to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. The two vaccines are different. The flu vaccine will not protect you from the coronavirus infection and the the COVID vaccine will not protect you from the flu. You should get both vaccines.
The benefits of the vaccine significantly outweigh the risks or concerns of the side-effects from the vaccine. Check when you can get the vaccine on the state website and plan for this to protect yourself and your family.
Dr. Manoj Jain, an infectious disease physician in Memphis, is also a member of the city of Memphis-shelby County Joint COVID Task Force.
Please send questions for Dr. Jain to metro@commercialappeal.com