In all honesty, many of us may delay getting a vaccination out of concern that we will develop a sore arm, experience fatigue, or truly feel awful.
Although there may be some side effects associated with vaccines (as with any medical intervention), it is crucial to underscore that the advantages of vaccination significantly surpass the disadvantages, and the majority of side effects are transient in nature lasting no more than two days.
However, why are some individuals more severely affected by the consequences of a strike than others? Additionally, are there methods to reduce the severity of adverse effects associated with vaccination while maintaining the vaccine’s effectiveness?
Here are expert recommendations for mitigating the adverse effects of vaccines while preserving their protective advantages.
What Are Vaccine Side Effects?
In all honesty, many of us may delay getting a vaccination out of concern that we will develop a sore arm, experience fatigue, or truly feel awful.
Although there may be some side effects associated with vaccines (as with any medical intervention), it is crucial to underscore that the advantages of vaccination significantly surpass the disadvantages, and the majority of side effects are transient in nature lasting no more than two days.
However, why are some individuals more severely affected by the consequences of a strike than others? Additionally, are there methods to reduce the severity of adverse effects associated with vaccination while maintaining the vaccine’s effectiveness?
Here are expert recommendations for mitigating the adverse effects of vaccines while preserving their protective advantages.
What Are Vaccine Side Effects?
Side effects of vaccines consist of any discernible alterations or responses that manifest subsequent to vaccination. The adverse effects may vary in intensity, spanning from minor discomfort at the site of injection or low-grade fever to less frequent yet potentially severe reactions.
Vaccines do not cause significant side effects in the majority of individuals, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The frequency and nature of adverse effects may differ among individuals, contingent upon factors such as the vaccine formulation, age, and general well-being. Typically, adverse effects are transient and moderate, persisting for a brief duration of days.
The most common side effects of vaccines include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Low-grade fever
- Chills
- Fatigue or mild body and muscle aches
- Headache
- Nausea or mild upset stomach
Fainting is less common but can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccinations.
Why Do Vaccines Have Side Effects?
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines function by instructing the body on how to combat a specific disease, thereby preventing the risk of developing an infection.
A vaccine comprises antigens, which are attenuated or inactive components of the pathogen, or a template for generating the antigen that stimulates the immune system.
The good news is that the majority of frequent adverse effects indicate that the body is beginning to develop immunity to the disease.
Why Do Some Vaccines Make Us Feel Worse Than Others?
Vaccine reactions can arise for various causes, according to Eugene Shapiro, MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Yale Medicine. “Local reactions, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, may manifest due to inflammation originating from the injection itself.” “This is analogous to experiencing pain and swelling after sustaining a penetrating injury, such as a nail or a piece of glass.”
Dr. Shapiro explains that some local reactions may be caused by the adjuvant in the formulation.
He explains that adjuvants are chemical substances added to vaccines to increase the strength of the immune response.
The majority of vaccines designed today contain small portions of pathogens, such as their proteins, rather than the entire virus or bacteria, according to the CDC. As a result, an adjuvant is required to stimulate the body’s immune system to an adequate degree. For over seventy years, these have been utilized in vaccines without incident.
Adjuvanted vaccines not only have the potential to induce greater localized reactions but are also correlated with an increased incidence of systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and body pains.
Why Do Some People Have Zero Issues With Vaccine Side Effects While Others Get Hit Harder?
Shapiro explains that non-local adverse effects are commonly caused by cytokines that proliferate in response to exposure to the vaccine’s components.
He explains that cytokines, which are chemical messengers generated by immune cells within the body, are accountable for manifestations such as fatigue, fever, and widespread muscle soreness. Shapiro states, “There is substantial variation among individuals regarding their responses to vaccines, including second and third doses of the same vaccine.”
After receiving one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, women reported a greater number of adverse side effects than men, according to a study published in September 2020 in the journal Immunity.
Females experience a greater antibody response, a larger number of adverse reactions, and greater efficacy from the influenza vaccine than males, according to a study published in NJ Vaccines. While the precise cause remains elusive, scholars hypothesize that it is associated with genetic and hormonal variations between the sexes.
Additionally, data indicates that senior individuals report fewer adverse effects than younger individuals.
If I Don’t Have Side Effects, Does that Mean the Vaccine Isn’t Working? Or Does Experiencing Side Effects Mean the Vaccine Is Working Well?
Simply stated, the answer is no, Shapiro responds. “A positive response to a vaccine is possible even in the absence of adverse effects. “Generalized side effects are indicative of response, but that does not necessarily imply a more favorable or sustained response compared to individuals with few side effects,” he explains.
Does Getting Multiple Vaccines at the Same Time Make the Side Effects Worse?
Contrary to receiving two or more vaccines simultaneously, individuals with a documented history of experiencing severe reactions and unpleasant side effects may benefit from separating their vaccination schedules, according to Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, a pediatrician, infectious disease epidemiologist, and professor of public health at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
Dr. Vermund states that if the adverse effects of the influenza or COVID-19 vaccines from the previous year were severe, it is reasonable to anticipate the same this year. “Therefore, the nurse and the patient or the doctor and the patient can devise a plan that is most effective and comfortable for each individual at that point in time,” he explains.
Any adverse effects you may experience could manifest simultaneously if you receive multiple vaccines, according to Ana Weil, MD, MPH, a researcher and infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine in Seattle. “That does not imply that those side effects are more severe than those caused by a single vaccine,” she explains. “However, if they occurred simultaneously, it is conceivable that that could result in additional symptoms.”
1 Arm or 2 Arms When Getting More Than 1 Vaccine?
Two limbs, two shots? That is entirely up to personal preference, Vermund explains. “While some individuals find performing one in each arm to be less painful, others are hesitant to simultaneously suffer from a sore left and right arm,” he explains.
Is It Okay to Take a Pain Reliever Before the Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against the use of analgesics like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen prior to vaccination in an effort to avoid adverse effects. If you are apprehensive about experiencing headaches or other forms of discomfort as a result of the vaccine, consult your physician prior to receiving the injection.
What Are the Best Ways to Treat Side Effects From Vaccines?
“A tried and true method for reducing local inflammation is with an ice pack.” “This reduces inflammation and pressure in the arm and is frequently sufficient to alleviate pain,” explains Vermund.
As prescribed by your healthcare provider, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and aspirin may be utilized to manage more generalized symptoms, he says. “Several individuals have reported experiencing general fatigue subsequent to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.” “Get some rest in that case, and you will usually feel better the following day,” advises Vermund.
Does Exercise After the Flu Shot or COVID-19 Vaccine Help Reduce Side Effects?
Despite the absence of conclusive evidence to support the notion that exercise alleviates adverse effects, it also does not exacerbate them. But if you feel like engaging in some physical activity after receiving the vaccine, it may enhance the immune response produced by the vaccine—without increasing adverse effects, according to a study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity in May 2022.
Why Do Vaccines Have Side Effects?
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines function by instructing the body on how to combat a specific disease, thereby preventing the risk of developing an infection.
A vaccine comprises antigens, which are attenuated or inactive components of the pathogen, or a template for generating the antigen that stimulates the immune system.
The good news is that the majority of frequent adverse effects indicate that the body is beginning to develop immunity to the disease.
Why Do Some Vaccines Make Us Feel Worse Than Others?
Vaccine reactions can arise for various causes, according to Eugene Shapiro, MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Yale Medicine. “Local reactions, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, may manifest due to inflammation originating from the injection itself.” “This is analogous to experiencing pain and swelling after sustaining a penetrating injury, such as a nail or a piece of glass.”
Dr. Shapiro explains that some local reactions may be caused by the adjuvant in the formulation.
He explains that adjuvants are chemical substances added to vaccines to increase the strength of the immune response.
The majority of vaccines designed today contain small portions of pathogens, such as their proteins, rather than the entire virus or bacteria, according to the CDC. As a result, an adjuvant is required to stimulate the body’s immune system to an adequate degree. For over seventy years, these have been utilized in vaccines without incident.
Adjuvanted vaccines not only have the potential to induce greater localized reactions but are also correlated with an increased incidence of systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and body pains.
Why Do Some People Have Zero Issues With Vaccine Side Effects While Others Get Hit Harder?
Shapiro explains that non-local adverse effects are commonly caused by cytokines that proliferate in response to exposure to the vaccine’s components.
He explains that cytokines, which are chemical messengers generated by immune cells within the body, are accountable for manifestations such as fatigue, fever, and widespread muscle soreness. Shapiro states, “There is substantial variation among individuals regarding their responses to vaccines, including second and third doses of the same vaccine.”
After receiving one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, women reported a greater number of adverse side effects than men, according to a study published in September 2020 in the journal Immunity.
Females experience a greater antibody response, a larger number of adverse reactions, and greater efficacy from the influenza vaccine than males, according to a study published in NJ Vaccines. While the precise cause remains elusive, scholars hypothesize that it is associated with genetic and hormonal variations between the sexes.
Additionally, data indicates that senior individuals report fewer adverse effects than younger individuals.
Does Getting Multiple Vaccines at the Same Time Make the Side Effects Worse?
Contrary to receiving two or more vaccines simultaneously, individuals with a documented history of experiencing severe reactions and unpleasant side effects may benefit from separating their vaccination schedules, according to Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, a pediatrician, infectious disease epidemiologist, and professor of public health at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
Dr. Vermund states that if the adverse effects of the influenza or COVID-19 vaccines from the previous year were severe, it is reasonable to anticipate the same this year. “Therefore, the nurse and the patient or the doctor and the patient can devise a plan that is most effective and comfortable for each individual at that point in time,” he explains.
Any adverse effects you may experience could manifest simultaneously if you receive multiple vaccines, according to Ana Weil, MD, MPH, a researcher and infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine in Seattle. “That does not imply that those side effects are more severe than those caused by a single vaccine,” she explains. “However, if they occurred simultaneously, it is conceivable that that could result in additional symptoms.”
Is It Okay to Take a Pain Reliever Before the Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against the use of analgesics like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen prior to vaccination in an effort to avoid adverse effects. If you are apprehensive about experiencing headaches or other forms of discomfort as a result of the vaccine, consult your physician prior to receiving the injection.
What to Do in the Case of a Serious Adverse Reaction to a Vaccine
Frequently, only one or two individuals per one million vaccine doses will experience severe adverse effects, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Severe allergic reactions are characterized by symptoms such as difficulty inhaling, facial and throat swelling, rapid pulse, widespread rash, dizziness, and weakness. After receiving a vaccine and experiencing this type of reaction, dial 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital.
