Covid vaccine: side effects

Title: Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine

Authors: Polack, F. M., et al.

Journal: NEJM, 2020

Summary: This study discusses the safety profile of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, including common side effects such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and fever.

Title: Adverse Events Following mRNA Vaccination Against COVID-19 in the United States

Authors: Shimabukuro, T. T., et al.

Journal: JAMA, 2021

Summary: This article reviews adverse events reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, highlighting both common and rare side effects, including myocarditis.

Title: Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Review of the Literature

Authors: Kaur, R. J., et al.

Journal: Vaccines, 2021

Summary: This review summarizes the safety data from various COVID-19 vaccines, detailing side effects like allergic reactions, thrombosis, and other systemic effects.

Title: Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Review

Authors: Alamer, E., et al.

Journal: Infectious Disease Reports, 2021

Summary: This review article discusses the side effects associated with different COVID-19 vaccines, including local reactions, systemic reactions, and rare events.

Common Side Effects

Injection Site Reactions: Pain, soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Systemic Reactions:

Fatigue

Headache

Muscle pain

Joint pain

Chills

Fever

Nausea or vomiting (more common with the Moderna vaccine)

In infants and toddlers, common symptoms may include irritability, decreased appetite, and sleepiness.

Rare but Serious Side Effects

While most side effects are mild, there are some rare but serious reactions that have been reported:

Severe Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle or the outer lining of the heart, particularly noted in younger males after mRNA vaccines.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): A rare disorder where the immune system damages nerves, associated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS): A rare condition linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, characterized by blood clots with low platelet counts.

Monitoring and Reporting

The CDC and FDA continuously monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines through various systems. Individuals are encouraged to report any adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).