COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety, Side Effects — and Coincidence

COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety, Side Effects — and Coincidence

In addition to the social distancing, face masks, frequent handwashing, and increased sanitization efforts many have been following since early 2020,we’ve recently seen a new line of defense in the fight against a raging – and persistent – pandemic: the development of several approved COVID-19 vaccines. They were rapidly produced and tested to minimize the spread of Coronavirus as quickly and effectively as possible. Some would even call the speed that we rolled out vaccinations nothing short of a miracle.

But with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)continuing to authorize the administering of emergency COVID-19 vaccines, it’s understandable that some people have questions or concerns about its rapid race to distribution.

For starters, are the vaccines proven to be safe and effective? Especially with the current pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution, hesitations have risen among those who question the potential downsides to the COVID-19vaccines. Here’s what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines:

Pfizer/BioNTech: In vaccine trials studying nearly 44,000 volunteers, it was found to be 95%effective. It’s since been cleared for use in the US.

Moderna: The Moderna vaccine trial focused on more than 30,000 volunteers. Its effectiveness was rated 94%, and it was authorized to be distributed in the US.

Johnson & Johnson: The J&J trial reported an overall effectiveness of 66%, with a 72%effectiveness rate in the US. Following an 11-day pause  initiated after a rare blood-clotting disorder was associated with the shot, the FDA and CDC announced their decision to allow the distribution of the J&J vaccine on April 23, 2021. The two agencies determined the benefits of the J&J vaccine outweighed the risks of keeping it off the market.

Could I get side effects from receiving theCOVID-19 vaccine?

As with any vaccine, side effects from the COVID-19vaccine are a possibility. To date, the large clinical trials studying the various COVID-19 vaccines have reported minor side effects lasting only a few days. Often, this is because the body is building up a defense against the virus. The most common side effects seen from the COVID-19 vaccine listed above include:

·        Pain at the injection site

·        Lymph node swelling in the arm where the vaccine was injected

·        Fatigue

·        Headaches

·        Muscle and/or joint aches

·        Nausea and vomiting

·        Fever or chills

There have been additional rare side effects, including severe allergic reactions occurring in 11 cases per million doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine. In most cases, those affected have a history of severe reactions to vaccines. The warning signs, including trouble breathing, face/throat swelling, rash and low blood pressure typically appear soon after vaccination, which is why the vaccine is followed by a 15-minute observation period.

Recently, a report conducted in Norway drew attention to 23deaths among elderly vaccine recipients. Additional information is needed to determine what, if any, relation these deaths had to the vaccine.

What misconceptions exist about the COVID-19vaccine?

There have been a number of coincidences incorrectly linked to the vaccines. These claims are unproven and could prevent others from getting a vaccine – which is the best way to work toward eliminating this pandemic.

Health problems: In some cases, the COVID-19 vaccine has been blamed for various health conditions, from cancer to stroke. So far, there’s no evidence to show that any of these illnesses are occurring at a higher-than-normal rate, suggesting that they’re purely coincidental. Investigations are ongoing to ensure that any health issue concerns linked to the vaccine are thoroughly studied.

The vaccine causing COVID-19: None of the currently authorized vaccines contain a live SARS-CoV-2 virus, so one cannot obtain COVID-19 from receiving a vaccine. If a person develops COVID-19after vaccination, it could be due to the vaccine failing, which would be statistically rare, or exposure to the virus prior to the person reaching full protection from the vaccine. In some cases, a person may even be infected at the time of vaccination.

Currently, the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19vaccines is promising, with most recipients experiencing nothing more than minor side effects. When compared to the uncertainty and potential fatality associated with COVID-19, the vaccine continues to be the safest course of action to minimizing the spread of the pandemic. With all the information about the vaccines currently available, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination are clear.

If you have questions or concerns about the COVID-19vaccine, the medical experts at Laredo Emergency Room are here to help 24/7/365.

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