Vaccines against deadly virus coronavirus have been developed and some have been approved. Many people have already got its jab i.e. Chinese-made Sinopharm or CanSino or the Russian-made Sputnik V. However, it is important to remember to choose the most effective vaccine as some people seem to have side effects after inoculation.
Yet, those choosing to get vaccinated have reported feeling anxiety. Some have avoided the vaccine altogether as they are uncertain about what to expect.
No need to be worried, here is a step-by-step guide on what happens when you get injected:
Mild to moderate side effects are a sign, and a good one that suggests that a person is building resistance in the body to guard it against the coronavirus.
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According to the World Health Organization, side effects indicate that “your immune system is instructing your body to react in certain ways: it increases blood flow so more immune cells can circulate, and it raises your body temperature in order to kill the virus.”
Side effects, after the first dose include, low-grade fever or muscle pains.
“These are signs that the body’s immune system is responding to the vaccine, specifically the antigen and is gearing up to fight the virus. These side effects usually go away on their own after a few days,” notes WHO.
Though, some people have reported experiencing no side effects at all. However, it doesn’t mean that the vaccine is not working, as different people just have different responses to the vaccine.
You may experience pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, nausea and diarrhea.
As per WHO, “after a person gets his/her first jab they must be instructed by the healthcare worker to stay at the vaccination center for 15-30 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions.”
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If you experience side effects which last for over three days, such as severe allergic reactions, which are rare, report it to your healthcare provider immediately.
Sinopharm, CanSino and Sputnik V are currently being administered in Pakistan. They are not mRNA based vaccines. mRNA means a part of the coronavirus’ genetic code is injected into the body. The Chinese vaccine instead uses an inactivated vaccine to trigger a response in the body.
The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that those experiencing side effects can take over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for any pain and discomfort you may experience after getting vaccinated.
