JCVI expert warns booster vaccines will wear off
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It is hard to recall a public health emergency in recent times that has required global cooperation quite like the distribution of the Covid vaccines. Millions of lives are on the line in predominantly lower income countries as new variants emerge. As more arms are jabbed across the world, new side effects of the vaccine are being reported.
The AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has been mired in controversy over its link to the formation of blood clots.
Although the risk is vanishingly small, it has dogged the distribution of the vaccine in many countries and seeded hesitancy.
Despite the risk posed by COVID-19 far outweighing any direct risks posed by the vaccine, it falls on regulatory authorities to update product information when new side effects come to light.
Today the European Medicines Agency (EMA) added a number of new side effects to its product information for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
According to the EMA, there are four new side effects to be aware of.
According to its newly updated product information, pain in legs, arms and stomach are possible side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The EMA also added “influenza-like” symptoms to its product information, although it does not specify what the symptoms are.
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs.
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More immediate side effects
It is common to experience a range of reactions immediately following vaccination.
According to Public Health England (PHE), some people have reported a sudden feeling of cold with shivering/shaking accompanied by a rise in temperature, possibly with sweating, headache (including migraine-like headaches), nausea, muscle aches and feeling unwell, starting within a day of having the vaccine and usually lasting for a day or two.
“If your fever is high and lasts longer than two or three days, or you have other persistent symptoms, this might not be due to side effects of the vaccine and you should follow appropriate advice according to your symptoms,” advises PHE.
Uncommon side effects include:
- Sleepiness or feeling dizzy
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Excessive sweating, itchy skin, rash or hives.
It is important to note that side effects of the coronavirus vaccines are to be expected.
It is a sign the immune system is being primed against viral pathogens.
More serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or blood clotting, are very rare.
What’s more, anyone who gets COVID-19 can become seriously ill or have long-term effects (long Covid).
The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.
Research has shown the vaccines help:
- Reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
- Reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
- Protect against COVID-19 variants.
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
There is a chance you might still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, however.
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