AstraZeneca acknowledges that its Covid-19 vaccine, known by various brand names such as Covishield, can lead to rare adverse effects, including blood clots, as revealed in a legal dispute.
Given this context, let's delve into the potential side effects of other broad-spectrum Covid-19 vaccines.
Vaccines work by providing immunity without exposing you to the full dangers of the disease. When you receive a vaccine, it's normal to experience mild-to-moderate side effects. These side effects are actually signs that your immune system is responding to the vaccine, specifically to the antigen, which triggers an immune response. For example, your body may increase blood flow to allow more immune cells to circulate and raise your body temperature to combat the virus. These reactions, such as a low-grade fever or muscle aches, typically subside within a few days. It's important to remember that experiencing no side effects doesn't mean the vaccine isn't effective; it simply indicates that individuals respond differently. Overall, common and mild-to-moderate side effects are a positive sign that the vaccine is initiating the desired immune response.
COVID-19 vaccines, like any other vaccine, can induce side effects, most of which are mild or moderate and typically subside within a few days. Although rare, more severe or prolonged side effects may occur, prompting continuous monitoring for adverse events. Reported reactions to COVID-19 vaccines have predominantly been mild to moderate and short-lived, such as injection site pain, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, and diarrhea. The likelihood of experiencing these effects varies depending on the specific vaccine received. It's essential to understand that COVID-19 vaccines solely protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus; therefore, maintaining overall health remains crucial. Common and manageable side effects signify the vaccine's efficacy, as individual responses vary. Absence of side effects doesn't indicate vaccine inefficacy but rather underscores the diverse nature of human reactions.
After receiving the vaccine, it's advised to stay 15–30 minutes at the vaccination site for immediate assistance if needed. Any unexpected side effects, especially lasting over three days, should be reported to local health providers. Severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis are rare but monitored closely by national and international health authorities. Common mild to moderate side effects indicate the vaccine's efficacy, as everyone reacts differently. No side effects doesn't mean the vaccine is ineffective; it simply reflects individual variations. Monitoring for unexpected reactions post-vaccination is a standard protocol endorsed by global health organizations like WHO.
Since the inception of mass vaccination in early December 2020, millions of vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. One major concern has been whether COVID-19 vaccines can cause illness. However, it's important to note that none of the approved vaccines contain the live virus responsible for COVID-19, so they cannot induce the disease.
Following vaccination, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to develop immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Consequently, there is a window during which a person could contract the virus just before or after vaccination and still become ill with COVID-19, as the vaccine hasn't had sufficient time to confer protection.
Experiencing side effects post-vaccination indicates that the vaccine is eliciting an immune response, affirming its efficacy. It's reassuring to know that common, mild, or moderate side effects signify the vaccine's effectiveness, although lack of side effects doesn't imply ineffectiveness, as individual responses to vaccines vary.
