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What to Expect After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine?

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Administration of the COVID-19 vaccine may or may not show its side effects and can last for a few days affecting daily activities. Read below to know more.

Written by

Dr. Preetha. J

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Hari Gopal

Published At February 14, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 5, 2023

What Is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a kind of virus. There are various kinds, and some produce severe infections like SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), and COVID-19, while some cause the common cold. A newly recognized coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has generated a worldwide pandemic of a respiratory illness called COVID-19. It is a contagious disease induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case was recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The symptoms of COVID-19 are variable but usually include fever, breathing difficulties, fatigue, cough, and loss of smell and taste. Symptoms begin from one to fourteen days once exposed to the virus.

What Is the COVID-19 Vaccine?

A COVID‑19 vaccine is a vaccine designed to provide acquired immunity toward COVID-19. Before initiating the work for producing a vaccine against coronavirus diseases, SARS and MERS gave an approved knowledge about coronaviruses' structure and function, which fast-tracked the development of COVID‑19 vaccines. There are various types of vaccines for COVID-19.

What Are the Indications And Contraindications for the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Under the emergency use authorization obtained by the US Food and Drug Administration, COVID-19 vaccines can be given to anyone who is 16 years or older. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices suggests that it should be harmless for almost everyone. Certain groups of people will not get the vaccine.

People With Vaccine Allergies:

People who have a known history of a severe allergic reaction to any Pfizer/BioNTech or other vaccine components should consult a doctor before getting vaccinated. A warning on the vaccine design adds that medical facilities should keep medications to manage allergic reactions instantly available. Two healthcare workers in the UK had a history of severe side effects to vaccinations and did have adverse reactions in minutes of receiving the COVID-19 shot. According to the National Health System, England, both workers recovered from the responses and are doing well at present.

People with vaccine hypersensitivity are not getting vaccinated for the time being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that people with a history of vaccine hypersensitivity could get the COVID-19 vaccine but should be notified about the hidden risks. Such people can get the vaccine if they want it, but initially should be checked with the doctor. The people who got hypersensitivity reactions to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are not recommended to take the second dose. A doctor can study through your history and see what the chances are of you having a reaction or not. It is just a very, very small percentage that requires that evaluation. According to the FDA guidance, patients who had allergic reactions to vaccines in the past should be observed for 30 minutes once they received the vaccine. People without allergies should be observed for 15 minutes.

Pregnant and Lactating Women:

Research showed suitable antibody production in pregnant women and breastfeeding women. The Pfizer clinical trials did not actively engage pregnant women, but 23 volunteers who became pregnant during the trial had no adverse events. Pfizer/BioNTech said it would continue to monitor those women. The clinical tests did not involve breastfeeding women, but mRNA vaccines are not considered a risk to a breastfeeding infant; therefore, the vaccines can be offered to those women.

Elderly And People With Underlying Medical Conditions:

The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Late-stage clinical cases of the Pfizer vaccine showed similar effects for people with underlying conditions than healthy people. According to the company, older adults also reported fewer and milder adverse events after being vaccinated in the clinical trials.

The Immunocompromised:

The vaccine may be suitable for people who have a depressed immune system due to a condition or disease or are enduring treatment for a disease like cancer. But this should be an individual's decision, according to CDC leadership.

People Who Have or Already Had COVID-19 Vaccine:

Late-stage clinical trial data recommended that the vaccine is safe and protects people with past COVID-19 infections from reinfection. Still, a sick person with COVID-19 should wait to get the vaccine till their symptoms get resolved, and they can come out of isolation. There is no suggested minimum interval between infection and vaccination.

People Who Have Taken a COVID-19 Antibody Treatment:

There is no protective data on people who have received an antibody medication or convalescent plasma therapy to treat a COVID-19 infection. Since reinfection appears to be uncommon in the 90 days after the initial infection, the CDC recommends that the person waits for at least 90 days to take precautions. A person is not fully protected until one or two weeks after receiving the vaccine's second dose.

Teens:

Teens aged between 15 to 17 years can be vaccinated now. About 153 teens ages 16 and 17 were involved in the Pfizer trial, and the early review of that data found no safety issues.

What Are the Precautions to Be Taken to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

  • Any person with allergies to any particular medication should get consent from their doctor.

  • People with comorbidities must act only on their doctor's advice.

  • Before taking the jab, it is essential to eat well.

  • Any regular medicines should be taken much before the vaccination is administered. However, do not take flu-specific medicine ahead of the vaccination to limit symptoms.

  • People infected in the last 1.5 months or those who have received blood plasma should not take the vaccination right now.

  • Please do not wait for one particular vaccine specifically because you think it is superior, as both vaccines adhere to FDA standards. Further, the second dose has to be of a similar kind as the first dose.

  • After taking the vaccination, hygienic practices and safety precautions are essential to be followed. Any allergic reactions to the vaccine should be reported at the clinic itself.

  • The vaccine's common side effects include fever, fatigue, and chills, but that is no reason to panic since they should disappear in a few days.

  • The medications to manage the allergic reactions soon after the COVID-19 vaccine should be readily available in the vaccination center.

What Are the Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

A few side effects of COVID-19 may include:

  • Pain, inflammation, or redness at the injection site.

  • Joint pain.

  • Muscle pain.

  • Feeling unwell.

  • Fever.

  • Shivering.

  • Fatigue.

  • Headache.

  • Chills.

  • Nausea and vomiting.

  • Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit.

How to Manage the Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination may create some unpleasant adverse effects for a couple of days, but these symptoms intimate the vaccine, causing the desired immune response. These side effects are typical signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days. With a bit of self-care at home, you can overcome any side effects and get back to your routine, active life within a few days. These symptoms of COVID-19 usually last less than a week. If your symptoms worsen or are severe, seek advice from a nurse or a doctor, and make sure to tell them about your vaccination to assess you properly. Side effects after the second shot may be more severe than the ones experienced after the first shot. To reduce any discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids, and dress lightly. And to ease the pain or swelling in the arm from the injection, apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.

Painkillers: The CDC and the World Health Organization advice against the preventive use of over-the-counter pain relief medicines such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. They do allow them if symptoms originate after the shot. Pain relief medications Tylenol and Advil are excellent for COVID-19 vaccine after effects, experts say. Consult your doctor about taking over-the-counter medications, such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetaminophen, or Antihistamines, for any pain or discomfort you experience after getting the vaccines. You can take these medications to relieve the post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical conditions that usually prevent you from taking these medications.

What Are the Medications Contraindicated in Treating the Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines?

Chloroquine and Corticosteroids may impair antibody response.

What To Do If You Are Not Well During Your Next Appointment?

It is better to wait till you have recovered from having your vaccine if you feel unwell. You should not go for a vaccine appointment if you are self-isolating yourself, waiting for a COVID-19 test, or within four weeks of having a positive COVID-19 test.

What Are the Steps To Follow Even After Getting The Vaccines?

The vaccine cannot provide you with COVID-19 infection, and a full course will reduce the chance of becoming seriously ill. We do not know how much it will lessen the risk of you passing on the virus. So it is important to continue to follow current general guidance.

To protect yourself and your family, colleagues, and friends, you must still:

  • Follow social distancing.

  • Wear a face mask.

  • Wash your hands carefully and frequently.

  • Open windows to permit fresh air in.

  • Follow the current guidance.

Can You Acquire COVID-19 From the Vaccines?

You will not get COVID-19 from the vaccine, but it is possible that you have caught COVID-19 and do not realize you have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment. The most important signs of COVID-19 are the recent onset of any of the following:

  • A new continuous cough.

  • A high temperature.

  • A loss or change in the usual sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

Although a mild fever can happen within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and prepare to have a test.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

mRNA Vaccine Is Contraindicated for Whom?

- Individuals who have a history of anaphylaxis to the previous mRNA vaccine dose.
- Individuals who are allergic to any component present in the vaccine.
- Individuals suffering from capillary leak syndrome.
- Individuals suffering from thrombocytopenic purpura.

2.

What Are the Adverse Effects Associated With COVID Vaccine?

- Individuals may suffer from allergies to any component present in the vaccine.
- Pain at the site of injury.
- Fever.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Muscle spasm or pain.

3.

What Are the Indications for Prescribing a Vaccine?

Vaccines are prescribed to render immunity against a known microorganism. The aim of prescribing a vaccine is that it will reduce the chances of severe illness from a particular microorganism against which the vaccine has been administered.

4.

What Is the Difference Between Precautions and Contraindications?

Precaution includes measures to prevent any serious complications, whereas contraindications are a set of conditions that suggest whether a particular drug or vaccine should be administered to a given individual or not.

5.

What Is the Necessity of COVID 19 Booster?

Booster dose of a vaccine renders extended immunity against a pathogenic microorganism. As the immunity weakens over time, prescribing a booster dose can help in enhancing immunity for a longer period of time.

6.

Which Is the Safest COVID Vaccine?

Pfizer and modern vaccines are considered safe and highly recommended COVID vaccines. Other vaccines, like Covaxin and Covishield, have also been noted to be safe and effective vaccines.

7.

What Is the Aim of COVID Vaccine?

The aim of prescribing a vaccine is that it will reduce the chances of severe illness from a particular microorganism against which the vaccine has been administered. As the immunity weakens over time, prescribing a booster dose can help in enhancing immunity for a longer period of time.

8.

What Are the Differences Between Contraindication and Side Effects?

Contraindications are a set of conditions that suggest whether a particular drug or vaccine should be administered to a given individual or not. On the other hand, side effects are secondary or undesirable symptoms produced after prescribing a particular drug or vaccine.

9.

What Is the Duration of Action of COVID 19 Vaccine and Its Booster?

The antibody level post-vaccination peaks after two weeks, and the immunity is at its peak up to six months after the booster dose prescription.
Dr. Hari Gopal
Dr. Hari Gopal

Family Physician

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