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With any vaccination, side effects are possible, because a drug is introduced into the body that has antigenic properties that affect the immune system. We talked about the problem of side effects with an immunologist and a therapist, a specialist in coronavirus infection, listened to their opinions and recommendations.
“We can only speak in detail within the framework of our domestic recommendations,” warns immunologist Ksenia Bocharova. – And we can only discuss domestic vaccines, because there is still very little data on foreign side effects, not all of them have been recorded, and the vaccines themselves have not yet been registered in Russia. In July, 2021 it was reported that Pfizer only considers a question of possible registration of a vaccine in the territory of the Russian Federation. However, registration did not take place.1.
Today, in our country, the population is vaccinated only with Russian-made vaccines. The main drug is Gam-COVID-Vak (aka Sputnik V). “Sputnik Light” is a lightweight vaccine that does not require re-introduction of the component, it has already been released into civilian circulation2.
A second vaccine is available, which has also been registered – EpiVacCorona from the Vector Center.
The third vaccine against infection – KoviVak from the scientific center. Chumakov, registered in February 2021.
All possible side effects can occur after the first component or after the second. They can be conditionally divided into acute and delayed reactions.
“Usually, acute reactions are associated with allergies, that is, with a reaction to a specific component of the vaccine,” says immunologist Ksenia Bocharova. – It happens extremely rarely, on average, one case in a million. But it can be an acute anaphylactic reaction – a condition that, without medical assistance, threatens the health and life of the patient. And the count goes on for minutes. – More often we deal with delayed reactions. For example, it can be a prolonged or too pronounced fever, hypothermia (too much decrease in temperature), excessive pain at the injection site, swollen lymph nodes in the injection area. But here I emphasize: these reactions do not apply to side effects, these are the expected effects of the vaccine.3.
Chills
This is a subjective sensation of cold, which is often combined with increased temperature. With chills, goose bumps and muscle tremors appear, in some cases – blanching of the skin.
After vaccination, chills may occur with or without fever. There are a few simple steps you can take to help manage the chills:
- wrap yourself in a blanket and drink a hot drink, such as tea;
- if chills are combined with fever, then take antipyretics.
The temperature has risen
Hyperthermia, or an increase in body temperature, is an expected reaction, but this is not a side effect. Moreover, it occurs after the introduction of other vaccines, such as influenza. The temperature may jump 5-6 hours after the vaccine is given, and in some cases 2-3 days after the injection. How much the temperature rises depends on the characteristics of the organism.
Body temperature above 38º C indicates a good reaction of the immune system and the normal course of the post-vaccination stage.
After vaccination, patients are advised to stay in bed, rest more – this will help alleviate the condition. Bringing down the temperature after vaccination is recommended only if it exceeds 38-38,5º C. However, patients from risk groups, such as those with cardiovascular diseases, need to bring down the temperature already at 38º C.
Breaks the body
Aches in the body and muscles can be the result of fever or an immune response. You can cope with the symptom with the help of rest, as well as lowering body temperature.
Headache
May be due to elevated body temperature, immune response and individual response to the administration of the drug. Antipyretic drugs, which also have an analgesic effect, will help to cope with a headache.
The injection site hurts
There are buffer solutions in the vaccine, so it is at the injection site that the primary immune response is formed: immune cells “get acquainted” with the infection, produce antibodies that provide protection.
Pain and redness after vaccination at the injection site is a normal reaction of the body4.
Of course, the vaccine, like any drug, can have side effects.5. Most often, flu-like symptoms can develop in the first three days after vaccination – fever, muscle aches, asthenia, loss of appetite, headache, general malaise, weakness, nausea. Possible development of allergic reactions6.
Extremely rare severe side effects, which have been reported previously, are possible in patients with contraindications to vaccination. Identification of these contraindications before vaccination is the task of a qualified doctor. Therefore, before vaccination, the patient’s temperature is measured, the therapist examines him and be sure to clarify: have any vaccinations been done before, are there any allergies to anything, have there been contacts with infectious patients recently. And only after that he will decide whether the patient can be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
– Be sure to see a doctor! – He speaks doctor Alexei Zhito. – For chronically ill patients who are scheduled to be vaccinated, it is advisable to discuss this issue with their physician and possibly optimize pre-vaccination and post-vaccination drug therapy. – To reduce the severity of side effects, you need to drink more water (tea, fruit drink), limit physical activity, do not visit places with large crowds of people, do not overcool or overheat. Of course, after vaccination it is necessary to wear masks and gloves.
“The patients were divided in two on this issue,” he shares his own observation. general practitioner, cardiologist, endocrinologist Alexey Zhito, which has been treating patients with coronavirus for a long time. – The vast majority reacted to the vaccination against coronavirus with enthusiasm, they were waiting for the moment when the vaccine would become widely available. Every day my patients come to the appointment with the question whether it is possible to vaccinate specifically in their clinical case, and they ask when and where to get vaccinated. Significantly fewer patients accepted the vaccination with some caution.
The main concerns of patients are related to the unconfirmed efficacy of vaccines and possible side effects.
– We explain, – continues Dr. Gito, – that the vaccines have passed the required phases 1 and 2 clinical trials, while both vaccines that are currently registered in Russia for the fight against coronavirus (Gam-COVID-Vac and EpiVacCorona) showed high immunogenicity – the ability to induce a specific immune response. Vaccination, firstly, in the absolute number of cases, protects against the very fact of infection, and, secondly, even if a person falls ill, it prevents a severe course of the disease and death.
“The medical community has a unified position regarding vaccination against a new coronavirus infection,” explains doctor Alexey Zhito. – The vaccine is currently the most effective and efficient way to protect against coronavirus. We, doctors, indeed, sometimes see the side effects mentioned above, but they usually go away on their own. Rarely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Popular questions and answers
Immunologist Ksenia Bocharova and general practitioner, cardiologist, endocrinologist Alexei Zhito also answered burning questions from patients about the side effects of coronavirus vaccines.
In the risk group for the formation of side effects, patients with a aggravated allergic history, as well as with severe chronic diseases, such as pathologies of the cardiovascular system, etc.
“But, as a rule, most side effects develop within the first day after vaccination, less often within the first three days,” adds Alexey Zhito. – Separate cases are described when the reaction to the administration of the drug develops later, including allergic reactions. In case of deterioration of the condition, timely treatment prescribed by a doctor normalizes well-being.
We should not forget about the rare anaphylactic reactions to the vaccine. According to the order of the Ministry of Health, vaccination can be carried out only in rooms equipped with a special anti-shock first aid kit.
“The vast majority of reactions to Russian vaccines are not dangerous to health and are natural: the development of immunity to the antigen requires the activation of the immune response, which is accompanied by fever, weakness, headache and muscle pain, as well as other symptoms of intoxication,” explains Alexey Zhito.
Allergies and fever may require specific treatment, which includes antihistamines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Immediate action on the part of medical personnel may be required for anaphylactic reactions that develop in the first minutes after the introduction of the vaccine. Therefore, all patients after the vaccination procedure should be observed for 30 minutes.
In case of deterioration of health or the development of other atypical side effects, you must immediately inform your doctor!
Previously, the vaccine was administered only to a limited group of people, now it is working en masse, and the data is being supplemented. With the exception of those groups for which the vaccine is contraindicated, for example, people with severe, decompensated diseases. Those who are vaccinated are then assessed for how they survived the vaccination.
Sources:
- Federal and regional operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus. Pfizer announced that it is considering the issue of registering its vaccine in Russia. RBC. July 7, 2021. https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/60e53cf69a794761a98a9182
- The first doses of the Sputnik Light vaccine entered the civilian circulation. TASS. June 26, 2021. https://tass.ru/obschestvo/11760091
- Vaccines developed and used in Russia. Gam-Kovid-Vak (trademark “Sputnik V”). https://xn--80aaezjt5d.xn--80aesfpebagmfblc0a.xn--p1ai/gam-covid-vak.html
- Telnova E.A., Shchepin V.O., Zagoruichenko A.A. Vaccination as a challenge to COVID-19 // Bulletin of the National Research Institute of Public Health named after N. A. Semashko. 2020. №3. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vaktsinatsiya-kak-vyzov-covid-19
- Ryzhikov A.B., Ryzhikov E.A., Bogryantseva M.P. and co-authors. A simple, blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of the EpiVacCoron vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in volunteers aged 18–60 years (Phase I–II). Infection and immunity. 2021;11(2):283-296. https://doi.org/10.15789/2220-7619-ASB-1699
- Rospotrebnadzor recommended taking precautions after vaccination. https://xn--80aesfpebagmfblc0a.xn--p1ai/news/20210630-0809.html