Possible after-effects of immunization shots?
Vaccines are essential tools in our fight against infectious diseases, protecting millions of people worldwide. However, like any medical intervention, vaccines can cause side effects. Here's a breakdown of common side effects associated with different types of vaccines.
Local reactions, such as pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness at the injection site, are the most common side effects shared across vaccine types. Systemic symptoms like fatigue, fever, headache, nausea, muscle or joint pain, and mild rash are also common. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
Live-attenuated vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, may cause mild symptoms resembling the disease but are generally safe in immunocompetent individuals. These vaccines can cause temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, pneumonia, swelling of the brain or spinal cord covering, and temporary unusual bleeding or bruising due to a low platelet count (rare reactions). The MMR vaccine may also cause a rash at the injection site or spread over the body.
Inactivated vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, may cause side effects like pain, discoloration, swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. The inactivated influenza vaccine may cause soreness, discoloration, or swelling at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, headaches, and a very small increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
mRNA vaccines, such as those used for COVID-19, cause similar side effects to inactivated vaccines but may have a slightly higher incidence of fatigue, fever, and headache.
Toxoid, subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, conjugate, and viral vector vaccines each have their unique side effect profiles, but they generally cause milder side effects compared to live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines.
It's important to note that while rare, serious adverse effects like Guillain-Barré syndrome have been observed with certain vaccines. Influenza vaccination may cause side effects such as soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, and headaches.
After receiving a vaccine, it's crucial to tell your doctor if you feel faint, have vision changes, or hear ringing in the ears. Anyone who experiences difficulty breathing, a rash covering the body, or swelling in the throat after a vaccination should seek medical assistance immediately.
Vaccines are available to protect against more than 20 diseases and save an estimated 2-3 million lives each year. Despite the potential side effects, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, offering protection against life-threatening diseases.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccine Side Effects. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm [2] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2021). Vaccines and Immunocompromised People. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/vaccines-and-immunocompromised-people [3] World Health Organization. (2021). Vaccines: Vaccine Safety. https://www.who.int/immunization/topics/immunization/vaccine_safety.html [4] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Vaccine Side Effects and Allergies. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vaccine/in-depth/vaccine-side-effects/art-20046100 [5] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). COVID-19 Vaccines and Monitored Side Effects. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/covid-19-vaccines-and-monitored-side-effects
- Vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, can cause side effects like fever, headache, and a rash, but these are usually mild and short-lived. Systemic symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and muscle pain may also occur.
- Some live-attenuated vaccines, like the MMR vaccine, may have serious side effects, such as temporary unusual bleeding or bruising due to a low platelet count, pneumonia, or swelling of the brain or spinal cord covering (rare reactions).
- Inactivated vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, can cause side effects like fever, fatigue, and headache. Some vaccines, like the inactivated influenza vaccine, may have a small increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- mRNA vaccines, like the ones used for COVID-19, may have a slightly higher incidence of fatigue, fever, and headache compared to other types of vaccines.
- It's crucial to seek medical care immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, a rash covering the body, or swelling in the throat after a vaccination. After receiving a vaccine, inform your doctor if you feel faint, have vision changes, or hear ringing in the ears.
