What are the Side Effects of the COVID Vaccine?

Across the world, the Covid-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc. But now, there is one major weapon in the fight against this deadly disease – the Covid-19 vaccine.

Scientists have now developed multiple vaccines, for instance, Covishield, Sputnik V and Covaxin for the public. Users can opt for any of those vaccines for your choice depending on availability. While all of these vaccines have been proven to be safe, taking the Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a few mild side effects such as pain at the site of injection, mild fever, etc.

Side Effects of Approved COVID-19 Vaccines in India

Covishield

Injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, fever, chills, and nausea
Very rare cases of blood clots have been reported following vaccination with this vaccine, but no definite link has been established. [1]

Covaxin

Injection site pain and swelling, rashes, headache, fatigue, body ache, fever, cough, cold, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
In rare cases, may experience difficulty in breathing and swelling of the throat and face. [2]

Sputnik V

Sore arm, tiredness, and low fever.
In extremely rare cases, people might suffer breathing difficulties, convulsions, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and headaches. [3]
Note - As of today, 20th April'21 - Sputnik V vaccination is not yet started in India. The information mentioned is taken from internet sources.

What are the common possible side effects after taking the COVID-19 Vaccine?

As is the case with many other vaccines, when you take the Covid-19 vaccine, you might experience some side effects.

However, in the vast majority of cases, this is not any cause for concern. The side effects indicate that a person's body is building up immunity to protect against Covid-19 and should go away within a few days.

Here are some of the most common COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects :

Injection Site Pain – you might experience some pain or swelling on the arm where you got the shot
Fatigue – after getting the vaccine, you might feel unusually tired
Headache – following vaccination, a common side effect is getting a mild to moderate headache accompanied by slight dizziness
Muscle pain – another common side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine is to feel soreness and achiness in the muscles
Joint pain – you might also feel physical discomfort or pain in one or more of your joints
Chills – some people might also feel chills or feeling cold and shivering, even though they aren’t in a cold environment
Fever – one of the most common symptoms of the Covid-19 vaccine is contracting a mild fever
Nausea – you could also feel stomach discomfort, a queasy sensation, or an urge to vomit after taking the vaccine

Keep in mind that the side effects after your second shot may be more intense than what you experience after you get the first dose.

What to do if you experience these side effects?

As soon as you get vaccinated (for both the first dose and the second), you will need to stay for about 15-30 minutes afterward so that the health workers can help you if you have any unusual side effects due to the Covid-19 vaccine.

However, if you just experience the mild side effects discussed above, that is completely normal and is a sign that your body is building protection. These side effects should go away in a few days.

Note: If there is redness or pain at the injection site, and it increases after 24 hours, or if any of the other side effects do not go away after a few days, contact your doctor as soon as you can.

Additionally, those who experience an immediate severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive the second dose of the vaccine.

How can you minimize the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

There are many things to do to reduce any discomfort or side effects of the Covid vaccine:

To reduce pain and discomfort pain at the injection site, you can apply a clean cloth soaked in cold water to the area
To help with any headaches or nausea, you can drink plenty of fluids
To deal with any muscle or joint pain, severe headaches, or fever, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol

It is not recommended that you take any painkillers or other medicines before receiving the COVID-19 vaccination to prevent side effects. This is because it is still not known how such medications may affect the vaccine.

Remember that while the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine can hamper your ability to do daily activities, they are completely normal and should go away on their own in a few days.

Having these common and mild side effects can actually be a good thing, as they show that the vaccine is working.

On the other hand, experiencing no side effects doesn’t mean that the vaccine isn’t working, it’s just a sign that everyone responds differently to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Also, you might want to avoid getting tested for COVID-19 for a while after the shot (unless advised by your physician), as the result may likely be positive due to the vaccine.

To get the vaccine, one needs to register on the CoWIN Portal, or the Aarogya Setu app to get their doses.

Frequently Asked Questions

All

Will I get Covid-19 if I take the vaccine?

No. None of the vaccines available are made with a live Covid-19 virus, and so that absolutely cannot give you Covid-19. The side effects that you experience are just a normal sign that your body is building immunity against the virus.

Do I still need to take the vaccine if I have already had Covid?

We do not yet know when a person who has had Covid-19 can get re-infected. But the natural immunity built up after recovering from the disease will wane after a while. This is why it is still important to get the Covid-19 vaccine, as it can program your immune system to recognize and fight the disease before you experience any severe symptoms.

How long will I be protected after taking the Covid vaccination?

It is still unclear how long the immune response will continue in vaccinated individuals. This is why it is important to continue using masks, practice physical distancing and follow other COVID-19 appropriate behaviours.

Do I need to take Covid-19 precautions even after receiving the vaccine?

Yes, it is absolutely necessary that even after you have been vaccinated, you must still follow the correct Covid-19 protocols, as you might still carry the virus and pass it on to other people who have not been vaccinated. This includes social distancing, hand sanitization, and wearing masks.

Is it important for me to receive the same vaccine during the second dose?

None of the vaccines available, such as Covishield or Covaxin, are interchangeable. So, it is really important that you take the second dose of the same vaccine as the first one. You can check the Co-WIN portal to make sure you are registering for the same vaccine both times.

Can the Covid-19 vaccine affect fertility in women?

This is a myth that is not true. There is no evidence that suggests any of the COVID-19 vaccines could cause infertility or any effect on fertility.

Is it safe for pregnant/breastfeeding women to take the Covid-19 vaccine?

Current research suggests that the Covid vaccine is safe for pregnant women after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, especially as they are at increased risk of severe COVID-19-associated illness. However, always consult your gynaecologist before making any decision.

Similarly, it appears that taking the vaccine while lactating is safe and has many benefits for both the mother and child, as antibodies could pass to the babies and offer them some immunity to the disease.

Is it safe to take the Covid vaccine during the menstrual cycle, as immunity is reduced during that time?

A woman’s menstrual cycle is not closely connected to her immunity. There is no data or study validating this claim, and the Covid-19 vaccine can safely be taken during your periods. There is also no evidence that taking the Covid-19 vaccine can affect the periods and its flow in any way. These are both just unverified claims that originated from social media.

Can I take the COVID-19 vaccine if I am taking antibiotics?

In general, the COVID-19 vaccine does not react with antibiotics, so it is usually safe. However, you are advised to consult your doctor for a detailed understanding.

Is it essential to take the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, it is advisable to take the booster dose of COVID vaccine. It is intended to protect your immunity against coronavirus.

Will I get any side-effects after receiving the second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

You might get side-effects after receiving a second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.