The COVID-19 vaccination drive is being conducted at full throttle in Singapore and nearly 4.4 million people have been given the first dose so far. Meanwhile, 18.9 lakh people were fully vaccinated on the island by June 12, 2021. That’s about 33 per cent of the population.
But the Covid-19 vaccination does have its own side effects once you get the jab. While some may feel mild effects of it like fever, rashes, or body pain. Others may see more adverse effects of it that can be life threatening.
Thankfully, only 0.004 per cent of the vaccinated population in Singapore is suspected to suffer adverse effects of the Covid-19 vaccine doses, a recent report states. That’s about 157 people out of 3.7 million Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs that were administered till May 23, 2021. These people had reactions severe enough to be life risk and resulted in hospitalisation, among other serious conditions.
However, no deaths have been linked to the vaccine, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced on June 11. With well over half the population receiving their first dose and gearing up for the second jab, it’s important to know about the effects of the second Covid vaccine.
How long do side effects of second covid vaccine last? And what happens to the body?
Potential Side Effects After Taking Covid-19 Vaccine
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Some of the more common side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine include the following:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
The HSA says that the reactions can possibly be associated with the vaccination but may not have been caused by it. Healthcare providers reported to the HSA saying that any undesirable medical condition which occurs after taking the vaccine does not necessarily have a direct link to the treatment.
It may be coincidental or related to undiagnosed disease.
Potential Adverse Effects Of Covid-19 Vaccine
Some of the most frequent adverse effects of the Covid-19 vaccine included anaphylaxis. There were 26 such cases, all of which recovered after receiving medical treatment. The rate of anaphylaxis due to the vaccine is 0.85 cases per 100,000 doses of the vaccine, which is consistent with the worldwide incidence rates.
In addition to anaphylaxis, there were reports of 23 cases of severe allergic reactions. The HSA listed the following as some of them:
- Breathing difficulty
- Fast heart rate
- Increase or decrease in blood pressure
- Chest discomfort and pain, syncope (fainting)
- Limb numbness
- Weakness or pain
- Changes in vision
- Increase in liver enzymes
- Joint pain
- Seizures (fits)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and infections
The individuals who experienced such reactions have recovered or are in the process to do so. The authorities are closely monitoring their health.
The authorities also reported about 45 cases related to Bell’s palsy. The condition causes temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles. The patients did recover from the same and most cases weren’t serious, says the HSA. The incidence rate for Bell’s Palsy in Singapore is about 3.35 people per 100,000 per month.
Men At Higher Risk Of Heart Inflammation
At least six people including four men under the age of 30 years suffered from heart inflammation after receiving the Covid vaccine Singapore has to offer.
A statement from the HSA read, “Due to the large numbers of people being vaccinated, it is expected that, by chance, some individuals may experience other medical events such as heart attacks and strokes in the days or weeks after vaccination, which may not be related to the vaccination.”
Increased occurrences of myocarditis and pericarditis after the second dose of the vaccination were seen in Israel and the United States too among men younger than 25 years.
It is a “very small risk” though, the government-appointed expert cited.
How Long Do Side Effects Of Second Covid Vaccine Last?
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Experts suggest that younger people who’ve taken the jab should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least a week after their second dose. That’s also when most side effects of the vaccine will affect your body.
Furthermore, about 68 per cent of adverse reactions to the vaccine were among people under the age of 60 years, the HSA reported. This aligns with the clinical trials of the two mRNA-based vaccines that also saw younger folks experiencing more adverse effects of the vaccination.
This may be due to the more active immune response system, which is the body’s natural defence mechanism that helps build immunity against the virus. Moreover, adverse reactions in women stood at over 64 per cent.
Should You Take The Vaccine?
The answer is yes.
The sooner we take the vaccine, the faster we recover and can go back to living our normal lives. The benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks that remain minimal.
“HSA and the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the safety profile of the Covid-19 vaccines closely and update members of the public of any significant safety concerns detected with the vaccines,” as HSA stated.
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