COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Do get vaccinated to shield yourself against contracting serious coronavirus disease and dying from the pandemic. After vaccination, you may have minor side effects that indicate that your body is getting ready for protection.
Having mild side effects from vaccines is normal because coronavirus vaccines are made to boost your immunity without the risks of getting the infection. When you receive the vaccine shot, you may have mild-to-moderate side effects. This happens because your immune system is instructing your body to react in certain ways. It raises your body temperature to kill the virus as well as increases blood flow so more immune cells can circulate.
Mild-to-moderate side effects, such as muscle ache or a low-grade fever are normal. This does not cause alarm. These side effects generally drop on their own after a few days. According to WHO, common mild side effects are a good sign. They show that the vaccine is working. However, no side effect does not mean the vaccine is worthless. It means everybody responses in a different way.
Common Side Effects of Coronavirus Vaccines
Like vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines cause side effects. As found in the result during clinical trials, long-lasting or more serious effects are possible. However, reported effects are mostly mild to moderate and have lasted no longer than few days. Typical side effects are:
- Redness
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Diarrhoea
- Swelling
Please note that the possibility of these side effects differs depending on the specific vaccine. Since the coronavirus vaccine protects against the SARS-CoV-2 only, it is strongly recommended to keep you fit and healthy.
Less Common Side Effects COVID-19 Vaccine
After the vaccine, you need to stay for 15-30 minutes at the vaccination centre so that health experts who are available at the centre can monitor you and observe any immediate reactions. You need to inform health providers in case of having any sudden side effects or experiencing other health issues- such side effects lasting more than three days. Less common side effects include severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. But the reaction is very rare. It is good to know that national authorities as well as international agencies such as WHO is closely monitoring for any unforeseen side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Long-term Side Effects COVID-19 Vaccine
According to health experts, side effects occur within the first few days of getting a vaccine. Since the first mass vaccination campaign in India started early in January, an innumerable number of vaccine doses have been monitored. There are reports that COVID-19 is making people sick. But no approved vaccines contain the virus that causes COVID-19.
This means that the vaccine will not cause you to sick with COVID-19. After getting vaccinated, it usually takes a few weeks for the body to prepare for, SARS-CoV-2. Chances are that the person can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 just before and after vaccination and still get sick with Covid-19. This is because the vaccine has not still had adequate time to provide protection.
Recommendation
Even after taking a COVID-19 Vaccine, taking Safety Precautions is necessary.
- Maintain social distance with any person having any symptom
- Clean your hands many times a day with soap and water
- Use a hand sanitizer to maintain good hygiene
- Cover your nose, eyes, and mouth with tissue paper while sneezing
- Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, or other personal belongings
- Stop going out of the house till it is absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
Getting vaccinated to fight against COVID-19 is safe. Covishield and Covaxin are two approved vaccines in India. These vaccines were rolled out in January 2021 in the country to vaccinate 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first phase of the vaccination programme. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca, Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India. Covaxin has been made under collaboration between Bharat Biotech and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). The government has now allowed 18+year-old individuals to register for the vaccine shot.