Most people have hardly any complaints after a COVID-19 vaccine. Except, of course for a slightly achy feeling for a few days where the injection needle went in. This is hardly an inconvenience, seeing as we should have far lower chance of the coronavirus sending us to hospital. However, a small number of people react more strongly. Today, we tackle the question why some of us have more of these side effects.
What’s Happening Behind These Common Inconveniences?
Frequent issues mentioned include pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and fever according to News Day and accepted medical opinion. These are common after almost any vaccination and seldom indicate medical advice, unless they continue for several days. They are just saying ‘hello this is your vaccine and I’m getting to work’.
Dr. Peter Marks, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine chief, experienced fatigue after his first dose. He says ‘The day after getting these vaccines, I wouldn’t plan anything that was strenuous physical activity’. Let’s drill down further and analyze what’s happening to our bodies.
What’s Causing Some of Us to Have More Side Effects?
Our immune system kicks in with a rapid response the moment it detects a foreign intruder. Crowds of white blood cells swarm around to find out what’s going on. Their activity manifests as an inflammation, and that’s what’s behind the after-vaccine side effects.
Now we do known that immune rapid response weakens with the age. This is one of the reasons why elderly COVID-19 patients are more likely to have severe symptoms. It is also, coincidentally why some young people have more side effects than older adults.
However, other side effects may be more serious, which is why there is a fifteen-minute ‘cooling off’ period after every vaccination. Always consult a medical professional, if you have concerns before or after your vaccine.
Related
The Commonest Side Effects of the Vaccine
Why the Coronavirus Affects People Differently
Preview Image: COVID Vaccine Side Effects
