We are now more familiar with the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine that interacts with our immune system. Experts point out post-shooting problems such as fatigue and fever that make the vaccine work (as long as they are not indicative of an allergic reaction).
So what does this mean for those of us who have no side effects?
We asked vaccine experts to tell us the meaning of the side effects and whether their severity predicts the effectiveness of your immune response to the COVID-19 virus.
First, a summary of what causes the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are a physical manifestation of the body’s immune response (which is the case for most people) or an allergic reaction, said Jesse Erasmus, assistant professor in the department of microbiology from the University of Washington School of Medicine. .
Erasmus said that the side effects that occur from a shot usually depend on the type of vaccine technology used to create the immunization (e.g. messenger RNA or mRNA, it is the type of technology used by Pfizer photos- BioNTech and Modern) and how these components interact with your immune system.
As for coronavirus outbreaks, “All vaccines that are currently under emergency use have very similar side effect profiles,” said Colleen Kelley, an associate professor of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine and principal investigator of the Modern Phase 3 and Novavax vaccine clinical trials at the Ponce de Leon Center clinical research site in Atlanta.
Kelley believes that the side effects of the COVID-19 trait come primarily from the body responding to the ear protein that the vaccine introduces into the immune system, which helps it recognize (and then fight) the coronavirus ear protein if it enters the body. .
When it comes to allergic reactions to the vaccine, which are rare, one hypothesis for mRNA vaccines is that people may be allergic to a component called polyethylene glycol, a common food additive, Erasmus said.
Why do some people have worse side effects than others?
From people’s experiences, it seems like some have worse reactions to the shot than others. But, scientifically, there are still no confirmed reasons for this.
“There’s really no distinguishing factor that predisposes an individual to have more side effects compared to the other,” Richard Dang said. pharmacist and assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California. “The only thing we’ve seen in the clinical data so far is that younger people seem to experience side effects at higher rates than older people, and we see that in the real world as well.”
Cases have been reported in which those who previously had the virus suffered more severe side effects after receiving the vaccines.
“Anecdotally, it appears that people who may have had COVID-19 before the vaccine tend to have a longer duration of symptoms,” Kelley added. “But we continue to collect additional scientific data to support it.”
Does the severity of the side effects have anything to do with how the body will fight COVID-19 if exposed?
While it is a valid question, more studies are needed to decompress what the severity of the side effects means, said Anna Wald, physician and infectious disease researcher in COVID-19 vaccine trials at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
But Erasmus, Kelley, and Wald say the vaccine’s effectiveness is unlikely to be determined by the severity of the side effects.
“Remember that most people have mild side effects or no effect on clinical trials [for the mRNA vaccines]and yet the vaccine was found to be 95% effective in protecting them from the disease, ”Wald noted.
Whether mild or severe side effects occur, it is important to know what to do.
Simply put, the benefits of vaccines outweigh the side effects. Getting shot means protecting yourself from serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
If you have side effects, there are some things you can do. At the time of vaccination, ask the person who vaccinated you the best person to contact (and how) to get follow-up care if you need it, Dang said. You should also wait 15 to 30 minutes at the vaccine site after receiving the vaccine to make sure you do not have any severe allergic reactions.
Usually, if you have immune-related side effects, such as fatigue, headache, or fever, Kelley said, you can take a pain or fever reducer, such as Tylenol, and then take a nap if possible. Be sure to stay hydrated and take it easy when you are also feeling out.
These problems are likely to be resolved in a day or four at most, Kelley said. Anything that lasts longer guarantees a visit to your doctor or the place where you received the vaccine. You should seek emergency care or call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or significant inflammation.
You can also register and report some of your side effects at disease control and prevention centers V-sure program, Dang said. V-safe sends you daily and weekly text messages to see how you are and if you have any reactions. If you report serious reactions, call CDC to check more.
Remember that side effects are usually a very normal part of the COVID-19 vaccine, and we will be in a much better place on the other side of the shots.
Experts are still learning about COVID-19. The information in this story is what was known or available from the publication, but orientations may change as scientists find out more about the virus. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date recommendations.