As the global effort to produce vaccines that can eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, headlines continue to highlight development advancements and safety concerns.
This article summarizes the known side effects of the 4 vaccines authorized in Spain and provides information on the risks that researchers are still investigating.
Among the latests Moravia's compositions 4 COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in Spain are:
- Comirnaty, vaccine against COVID-19 developed by BioNTech /Pzifer.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna, vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Modern.
- Vaxzevria, vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Astra Zeneca.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, vaccine against COVID-19 developed by janssen.
What are the common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines?
Vaccines allow the body to build immunity by activating T and B lymphocytes, cells that respectively recognize the target virus and produce antibodies to fight it.
A vaccine cannot cause COVID-19. No vaccine contains a complete form of the virus responsible for this disease.
As the body develops the immunity necessary to protect itself against the virus, it is normal to experience minor side effects.
According to sources from the World Health Organization (WHO), common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Body pain
- Chills
- Nausea
A person may also experience side effects around the injection site, which is usually the upper arm. These can include swelling, pain, redness, an itchy rash, and other mild forms of irritation.
Health authorities recognize that licensed COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects. They are usually mild and last only a few days. They are not unexpected.
Can COVID-19 vaccines cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis (severe allergy)?
In rare cases, a person experiences an allergic reaction to one or more of the active ingredients in a vaccine. They may develop hives or other types of skin rash, swelling, and respiratory symptoms.
A severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis and involves low blood pressure, nausea, and shortness of breath, among other symptoms. Anaphylaxis is an extremely rare side effect of vaccination.
Side Effects of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines:
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are two-dose mRNA vaccines. People have reported similar common side effects after the second dose of each.
Side effects of the Janssen vaccine (Johnson and Johnson):
The Janssen vaccine can also cause common side effects. The vaccine product information document provides details on the precautions to take and the expected effects.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) safety committee also recommended that Janssen include a TTS warning in the product information for its COVID-19 vaccine.
Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Side Effects:
The EMA and the Danish Health Authority noted that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been followed by incidents of blood clots.
Of the 5 million people who received this vaccine, 30 cases of blood clots have been reported.
On April 7, 2021, the EMA concluded that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine should carry a TTS warning as a very rare side effect.
Several countries, including Denmark, Norway, Germany, and France, initially stopped distribution of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary response to initial reports of blood clots. On April 14, 2021, Denmark decided to completely stop the distribution of this vaccine.
On April 15, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommended stopping the distribution of the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines in the country, due to the risk of blood clots.
Both Germany and France have resumed administration of the COVID-19 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. However, distribution may eventually come to a complete halt, as the EU has not renewed its Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine dose order beyond June 2021.
Should I Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Any form of medical treatment carries risks, but in many cases, these are outweighed by the benefits. It is recommended that people get vaccinated to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, except in very specific circumstances.
Receiving a vaccine does not guarantee total protection against COVID-19. People should continue to follow social distancing guidelines, wear a mask in public, and wash their hands frequently, among other precautions.
Meanwhile, more than 50 other trusted source COVID-19 vaccines are currently in phase 1-3 clinical trials. With new developments being reported every day, much of the world is beginning to look to a future beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
