CDC: Things to expect after you get your COVID-19 vaccination

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• There are possible side effects when getting any vaccination and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different, but all these symptoms should subside in a few days.
• Unless you have a severe allergic reaction to vaccines or any of its ingredients, then you can get safely vaccinated for coronavirus.
• According to the CDC, two doses from the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are necessary even with side effects except when a doctor tells you to do it differently.

For over ten months, medical front-liners vigilantly do their best to fight the pandemic, and now they will be getting their vaccinations to better their safety and ours. With that starting to roll out, the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) released an updated guide to managing the vaccine’s possible side effects.

As of December 14, the CDC’s website has stated “You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.”

On Friday evening, the US got its first emergency approval for a coronavirus vaccine when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an advisory panel’s vote to support the immunisation by Pfizer and BioNTech. 

According to Dr Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in a briefing with Reuters, only people who have severe allergic reactions to vaccinations, or components in the Pfizer vaccine should avoid it.

The CDC also says that common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines would be pain and swelling at the injection site similar to other vaccines. Additionally, those who get vaccinated might also experience chills, fever, tiredness and possible headaches which are all comparable to the regular flu.

Should side effects occur, they usually last for a short few days, and CDC also advises consulting with a doctor for over-the-counter drugs such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for pains and other discomforts. Aside from medication, placing a cool, damp washcloth over the arm or doing some exercises with the arm would help alleviate any pain. The agency added, for fevers, keep hydrated and wear light clothing.

However, in the case that the redness or tenderness at the injection site gets worse after a day, the side effects persist, or one becomes anxious, the CDC says it would be good to get in touch with a health care provider.

The Pfizer vaccine needs two doses which are 21 days apart, and Moderna’s is also two doses but 28 days apart. The CDC advises that a person needs to take both doses even if the initial dosage has side effects unless your doctor recommends doing otherwise.

Source: Fox News