A list of side effects on the package leaflet: how do you deal with them?
The corona vaccines BioNtech/Pfizer and Moderna have now been approved and vaccination has started. Although the vaccines have been found to be safe and effective, many people are still concerned about the side effects. What are the side effects exactly? And how do you deal with that?
First, it is important to know that almost every drug or vaccine has side effects. That’s not to say you’ll get them (all of them), but it’s good to keep this in mind. This way you know that if you get complaints, you know that this is due to the medicine or vaccine in question. Often these are temporary side effects, but if they last longer, something can usually be done about it.
On the leaflet you will find all side effects that have ever been reported – or in the case of the corona vaccines, until now. It also states (in percentages) how often the side effect occurs. This will help you assess the likelihood of an adverse reaction.
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccination
The complaints below are most common with vaccination with corona vaccines from both manufacturers:
- moderate pain at the injection site, usually without redness and swelling (>80 percent)
- fatigue (>60 percent)
- headache (>50 percent)
- muscle pain (>30 percent)
- chills (>30 percent)
- joint pain (>20 percent)
- fever (>10 percent)
Most side effects disappear within one to two days. If the pain or fever is severe, you can take paracetamol for this. If you are afraid of pain at the injection site, you can apply lidocaine/prilocaine cream one hour before the vaccination to numb the skin.
With the second dose, the local reactions are similar to those with the first dose. Systemic reactions that can affect your whole body, such as fatigue and muscle aches, are more common after the second vaccination with BioNtech/Pfizer and can be severe.
More information can be found in the leaflet of the corona vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech and in the package insert of the Moderna vaccine.
Post-Vaccination Symptoms
In addition to the side effects, it is also good to be aware of post-vaccination symptoms. In contrast to the side effects, a post-vaccination phenomenon – also called a ‘event’ after vaccination – is not immediately clear whether this has anything to do with the vaccination. For example, it could be an allergic reaction. If you suffer from a side effect that is not listed on the package leaflet, or if you experience a post-vaccination phenomenon, it is recommended to report this to Lareb . Side Effects Center.
Side effects of corona vaccine or COVID-19?
Some side effects of the vaccines are similar to COVID-19. How do you know if you suffer from side effects or if you are infected with the coronavirus? Simple: most side effects disappear within one to two days after the vaccination. As soon as you (also) develop other complaints, you become seriously ill or there is a high risk of corona infection, you should contact your doctor.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- cold symptoms
- cough
- shortness of breath
- elevation or fever
- loss of smell or taste
If you have one or more of these complaints, it is recommended that you to test.
Read also: when will I get the corona vaccine?
