Bracing for the Adverse Effects of the First & Second Covid-19 Vaccination

It’s natural to feel a little uncomfortable after all the media hype in support of, or against the COVID-19 vaccines out there. Countries largely focused on speed instead of accuracy in finding a cure, and that undermined public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. Be that as it may, we all need to be vaccinated against the pandemic.

Vaccines are not always the smooth sailing we want them to be. There are often side effects. Knowing and bracing for the side effects can save you hours of anxiety.

A brief overview of vaccines and the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines should get you ready to deal with any post-immunization discomforts.

Why Vaccines?

Why not just cure diseases instead of doling out vaccines?

Vaccines and immunizations began in 1796. Before then, people relied on medical treatment, as opposed to prevention. But as healthcare systems became more sophisticated, medical personnel began paying more attention to prevention than in the past.

Over the years, vaccines have eradicated or nearly eradicated certain illnesses that were once common, such as smallpox, polio, and missiles. Vaccines also helped offset pandemics, save millions of lives, and minimize medical expenses.

It is noteworthy that vaccines have historically been effective at 90–100%. However, some people never achieve immunity from vaccines. It means there are people who COVID-19 vaccines cannot protect. Nevertheless, a protected majority serves to protect the minority, whose systems may resist immunization, which reduces the risk of exposure for everybody.

How Vaccines Work

Contained in vaccines are small amounts of a virus or bacteria that have been weakened. Vaccines may also use a lab-grown imitation of a virus to teach our bodies to produce antibodies against such a virus or trigger some defensive processes in our immune system. This enables our bodies to fight such viruses or bacteria more effectively in the event of exposure to them. The Oxford-Aztrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine works conventionally. However, the Moderna and Pfizer/Biontech COVID-19 vaccines used mRNA technology.

Unlike the traditional vaccine, the mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to synthesize a protein that triggers an immune response. The immune response leads to the production of antibodies, which protects us from getting infected when the virus gains access to our bodies.

Having gotten an idea of an mRNA vaccine, let’s take a closer look at the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. When a shot of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is administered, instructions (in the form of mRNA) are sent to the cells to manufacture “spike protein”- a protein that causes no harm to the body.

Coincidentally, this protein is present on the surface of the virus responsible for COVID-19. After synthesizing the protein, the cell metabolizes mRNA and gets rid of them. These spike proteins are shown off on the cell surface. On recognition, the immune system responds by producing antibodies. Consequently, the body learns how to fight against such infections when a real virus enters the body.

Side effects are a normal thing with medicines and vaccines. This goes to assure us that the vaccine does indeed work. They occur as a result of your body’s immune system building protection. Sides effects are typically mild and shouldn’t last longer than a few days, but they can be tough enough to affect your daily activities.

Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine According to the CDC

There are many different COVID-19 vaccines. Side effects will likely vary. Provided the side effects pose no major health risk, and a vaccine works effectively, it is safe for immunization.

Since the COVID-19 vaccine works in the same way as other vaccines, side effects shouldn’t come as a surprise or be a cause for concern.

You’ll likely feel pain and swelling on the arm where you took the shot. Then, you may feel some or all of the following adverse effects throughout your body:

• Fever

• Chills

• Tiredness

• Headache

You could take some over-the-counter medication to wither post-vaccination effects, like ibuprofen, aspirin, and others. However, it isn’t recommended to take any medicine before immunization in the hope of preempting the side effects. Doing so can affect the vaccine’s potency.

The side effects of the first and second shots of the vaccine can vary from person to person. But most people will come down with the symptoms mentioned above, particularly after the second dose. This is why it’s a good idea to opt for Hydramed’s Just Feel Better IV therapy to help alleviate some of the common effects of the vaccine and help you get back on your feet in a matter of hours rather than days. Our Just Feel Better IV therapy does not react with the COVID-19 vaccine and will be administered by a registered nurse.

Conclusion

For health workers to administer any vaccine, the government must have verified its safety and effectiveness. Since side effects vary from vaccine to vaccine in both type and severity, you should take time to learn all the possible side effects of any vaccine before immunization. Doing so should thwart any false alarms.