Dealing with side effects of COVID-19 vaccine

The development of COVID-19 vaccines in a record time shows how desperately we wanted it. Before this development, our battle with coronavirus was like a fight without a weapon. Now vaccines are available but many people are concerned with their side effects. A sense of fear regarding the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, whether they are developed by the Indian pharmaceutical companies or imported, seems to be there among a large number of people. On the other hand, medical experts are trying their best to remove vaccine hesitancy by advocating some effective tips to deal with the side effects. So, it is important to get to know the possible side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and learn how to deal with the condition.

Side effects are possible:

We have to remember that any COVID-19 vaccine is introduced only after its safety is proven. Several rounds of trials are conducted to examine its safety and efficacy. It is also true that many vaccines render side effects even after their safety is proven. Not all but some individuals experience mild to moderate side effects.

Some common COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects are:

Pain or tenderness at the injection site
Tiredness or fatigue
Nausea
Arthralgia
Headache
Muscle or joint aches
Mild Fever
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Chills
Understand the cause of side effects:

Although these side effects are widely registered, some people might not experience any problem after the immunization. So, I don’t know why some people get side effects and some remain unaffected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), when a human body is exposed to an antigen for the first time, the immune system takes time to respond and produce antibodies required to that antigen. Antigen acts as a subpart of a pathogen that develops or forms antibodies. In other words, the formation of antibodies in response to the pathogen’s antigen after the vaccination is an important part of the function of our immune system. Side effects are nothing but a result of this response mechanism, indicating that the immune system is reviving up and our body is getting ready to combat the disease.

How to deal with side effects from vaccines:

In most cases, mild to moderate side effects from the vaccine are temporary and do not cause any serious conditions. It is rare to experience any long-lasting serious health issues after vaccination. In India, all the states have made arrangements to deal with any COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects as a part of our vaccination drive. People are asked to stay at the vaccination center for 30 minutes after taking the jab; it is a precautionary step to check if there are any immediate side effects from the vaccine. Experts recommend some easily available medicines like Paracetamol and Crocin tablets or other pain killers offered by some well-known pharma companies in India to deal with the minor adverse effects.

Overall, some mild or moderate side effects from COVID-10 vaccines are not a cause of concern and you can feel all well after a few days of immunization. So, don’t hesitate to take a second dose when it is scheduled for you.