The CDC released a list of 6 common side effects from receiving a COVID Vaccine and offered suggestions on how to treat them and when to seek medical attention. The good news is these side effects are fairly mild.
Pain and Swelling
At the top of the list are pain and swelling in the arm where you were injected. Medical experts suggest taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol and putting a cool, clean washrag over the injection site.
Just because your arm is sore, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. Getting a little exercise actually makes it feel better
Flu-Like Symptoms
Some people experience symptoms very similar to the flu. Those include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Headache
As long as no other medical conditions prevent you from taking aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, you can take the appropriate dose of those over-the-counter medications to help relieve pain and fever.
If you have a fever, remember to drink plenty of liquids and dress comfortably to keep cool.
Should I Call A Doctor?
There are some situations where you should contact a medical professional about the side effects. If the redness and pain in the arm where you got the shot gets worse the next day. You should also contact your health care provider if the side effects don’t go away after a few days or if they begin to worry you.
While the side effects do make some people feel ill for a time, in the vast majority of cases, the symptoms dissipate pretty rapidly.
Get That Second Shot
Doctors also remind you that most COVID vaccines require a second dose to work. Even if you have side effects, make the appointment to get that second shot. Remember that you won’t develop immunity until a week or two after receiving the second shot.
Make sure to keep wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Serious COVID Vaccine Side Effects
In rare cases, some people experience severe allergic reactions to the ingredients in the vaccines. If you’ve previously reacted to other vaccines or injectables, talk to your doctor about the reactions before getting a vaccine. People who are allergic to PEG or polysorbate should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
However, the CDC said that people with severe allergic reactions to other things like latex, pets, insect stings, and other allergins should go ahead and get the vaccine.