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The different COVID-19 vaccines, like any and all medications, come with some safety concerns and the risk of side-effects.
That’s why, whenever you buy medication, you’ll find a slip of paper inside the box detailing them.
By way of example, paracetamol, one of the most commonly used meds for ‘headaches, pain and fever’, can cause an allergic reaction, and although this is rare, it has happened.
The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. There are some minor risks, which has caused more than a few to have a panic on Facebook and other social media platforms. The anti-vaxxers, in particular, are clinging to any evidence that it may be harmful.
With misinformation doing the rounds, Bloomberg decided to do some research, to find the answers to some commonly asked vaccine-related questions.
This starts with concerns that have arisen out of some reported deaths in Norway, after the administration of the BioNTech/ Pfizer variety.
Deaths in Norway and Germany
33 deaths were reported in mid-January out of 42 000 inoculations. Those who died were all in the 75 and above age bracket, and included terminally ill patients, who were already predicted to have only a few weeks or months to live.
Following an investigation into their deaths, health authorities in Norway have concluded that there is no evidence of a direct link between the 33 cases and the vaccine they received. On average, 400 people die each week in nursing homes and long-term care facilities from natural or disease-related causes.
In Germany, following 800 000 inoculations, around seven elderly people died after receiving the vaccine, but in a follow-up report, it was determined that they likely died from their underlying diseases including carcinomas, kidney deficiencies, and Alzheimer’s.
Notably, millions of doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine have been administered in America, the UK, and some other countries with no reported deaths due to the vaccine
Allergic Reactions To The Vaccine
The body fights invading diseases by making antibodies, releasing toxins that kill microbes and deploying guardian cells to battle the infection. In rare cases, introducing the vaccine so that the body can develop its defences can produce runaway inflammation and swelling of tissues, resulting in an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
For the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, according to the Centre for Disease Control, the rate as of December 23, 2020, is 11,1 per million doses, which is very low. The agency said the risk surrounding the vaccine is less than the risk of getting a severe case of COVID-19.
When worrying about anaphylaxis and medications, just remember that the humble peanut can produce the same reaction.
If you have an allergic reaction, which will likely come on quite quickly, it can be countered with antihistamines in tandem with adrenaline injectors.
It has been advised that those administering the jab keep these on them in case of a reaction.
Other Reported Side-Effects Of COVID-19 Vaccines
Many people who’ve received the first two Western jabs, one from BioNTech/ Pfizer, and another from Moderna Inc., have reported experiencing fever, headache, and pain at the site of the injection. These side-effects usually disappear pretty quickly.
While we’re still waiting for doses of a vaccine to arrive in South Africa, with some confusion around exactly when that may be, remember that when it arrives, it’s our best shot at beating the virus.
Read that full Bloomberg report here.
[source:bloomberg]
