The 8 major Q&A about COVID-19 vaccines examine popular questions about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. These questions are then answered by health experts and scientists.
Currently, there are a good number of COVID-19 vaccines. But the top-of-mind ones are PfizerBioNtech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi, Novavax, Sputnik V, and Covax.
It is a fact that the approval of any vaccine is premised on safety and effectiveness. However, there have been concerns about the COVID-19 post vaccines reactions. These reactions range from less serious sore arms to severe allergies, and to fatal blood clots.
The debate on whether you should get a COVID-19 vaccine or not continues. But the 8 major Q&A about COVID-19 vaccines provide objective information about the fears, anxiety, and suspicions of the public.
Any Fatal Reaction From COVID-19 Vaccine?
Yes! But total number of deaths recorded to date is 0.003% of total people vaccinated.
From December 2020 to March 16, 2021, the US, UK, Germany, and Norway reported a total of 2170 people dead after receiving Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The death occurred mainly in elderly people or those with underlying illnesses. There is no suggestion that vaccines played a role.
In March Denmark reported that one person died and another was seriously ill with blood clots and cerebral haemorrhage. This occurred after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) declared that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of blood clots. Even though a causal link with the vaccine is not proven, EMA concluded its possibility and recommended more analysis.
So on 6 April, EMA finally confirmed the link between the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine and a rare blood clot in the brain.
We can now say, it is clear that there is a link with the vaccine. What causes this reaction, however, we do not know yet.
Marco Cavaleri, Head EMA’s vaccine strategy
https://www.politico.eu/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-linked-to-rare-blood-clots-says-ema-official/
How Can I Manage The Risk For Severe Allergy Reactions?
In the early days, eight people who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines suffered severe allergy-like reactions. According to scientists, this may be due to a compound in the mRNA vaccine. A similar mRNA vaccine developed by Moderna also contains the compound.
Therefore, in order to manage the allergy reaction risk, the following recommendations were made:
Treat severe allergic reactions with antihistamines and adrenaline injectors. These will slow or halt immune reactions.
- Desist from taking a COVID-19 vaccine if you have allergies to any component of the vaccine.
- Observe everyone who receives the vaccine for at least 15 minutes post-injection for signs of a reaction. And for those with a troubling history of allergic reactions, monitor them for 30 minutes.
- Do not receive a second dose, if you have had reactions to the first dose of the vaccine.
How Safe And Effective Has COVID-19 Vaccine Been?
Vaccine for coronavirus is safe
EMA, WHO, FDA, 2021
Research to date indicates the vaccines for COVID-19 have a very good safety profile. Data from major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers show confirms this. That the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID-19 outweigh the potential safety risks of the vaccines.
Even though the coronavirus vaccines were developed more quickly than other vaccines in the past, they have been carefully tested and continuously monitored.
Can I Stop Safety Precautions After Taking A Vaccine?
No! The safety guidelines still remain in place. You still have to wear a mask and continue safety precautions after the vaccine. Especially the masking, the physical distancing, the handwashing, and avoiding big groups.
If you are among the small number of people for whom the vaccine is not effective, you could still get COVID-19. Studies are looking at whether the vaccine, even when effective at preventing disease, keeps a person from retaining the virus and infecting others. But, time will tell how long we all have to continue with these interventions.
Why Do I Feel The Chills After COVID-19 Vaccination?
It is normal to have certain reactions after a vaccination.
There may be redness, swelling, or pain around the injection site. Fatigue, fever, headache, chills, nausea, and body aches are also common in the first three days after vaccination.
These normal vaccine reactions are usually mild and reduce after a few days. The symptoms show that the vaccine is working.
Can Vaccinated Individuals Get COVID-19?
Although the clinical trials demonstrated that these vaccines protect people against disease. There are two uncertainties in the clinical trials. First, whether or not the vaccines also protect people from getting infected with the COVID-19 virus. Second, whether or not it protects against transmitting to somebody else. The conclusion is that further research is needed.
The bottom line is that the risks of COVID-19 infection in fully vaccinated people cannot be completely eliminated, as long as there is sustained community transmission of the virus. Consequently, the unwelcome reality is that vaccinated people could potentially still get COVID-19 and spread it to others.
How Reliable Is The Risk-Benefit Of COVID-19 Vaccines?
In principle, the decision to take a COVID-19 vaccine or not is always based on a risk-benefit assessment.
The risk will be beneficial if an elderly person has a 20% chance of dying from a coronavirus infection. And at the same time, the risk of getting a severe side effect of the vaccination is 1:50,000 or even less.
This having been said, the rapid vaccine development has been exciting. However, it is important to note that nothing is known yet about the possible long-term effects of individual vaccines. This is because such side effects become obvious after many people have been vaccinated. Along with a longer observation period.
So far, there is a lack of information about the severe side effects of rare pre-existing conditions. Or in certain risk groups such as specific allergy sufferers, children, and pregnant women. As regards children, some health experts think they should not be vaccinated because their risk of dying from COVID-19 is close to zero. Equally, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also not get vaccinated as a precaution.
But, the CDC recommends vaccinating pregnant or breastfeeding mothers with mRNA vaccines after medical examination and consultation.
Obesity Impedes COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy
Does Indulge Recommend I Get A Vaccine?
You alone can make the decision about whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine or not.
This is because Indulge is not in a position to tell you what to do or not do. Then again our goal is to continue to provide you with science-based and objective information to enable an appropriate decision. Hence, the 8 major Q&A about COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, Indulge encourages you to discuss with your doctor and evaluate other information provided in the links below.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/23/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
