What are the common side effects of vaccines? How long does the protection last? Read the "4 major questions" about the new coronavirus vaccine and understand them in seconds
The new coronavirus that caused Taiwan to enter the third level of epidemic alert in May is the British variant strain B.1.1.7. It is currently highly prevalent around the world and more contagious. Its speed and scope of spread are alarming. The current global epidemic prevention In addition to self-protection, the most important policy is to get vaccinated. The advantage of vaccination is that even if infection cannot be completely avoided, severe illness and mortality after diagnosis will be significantly reduced.
What are the differences between vaccines produced by major brands?
The current major existing vaccines include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, etc. Taiwan currently has AZ vaccine and Moderna vaccine, as well as domestic high-end vaccines, and Pfizer/BNT vaccines will be launched one after another. What are the differences between vaccines from different brands? Is it effective? What should I do if side effects occur? The following will explain the AZ vaccine and Moderna vaccine.
The following vaccines are currently authorized for use by advanced countries such as the WHO, the US FDA, and the European Union, and will be supplied by Taiwan for use in vaccination programs.
| type | viral vector vaccine | mRNA vaccine | mRNA vaccine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccine type | AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine | Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine | ModernaCOVID-19 Vaccine |
| Suitable age | 18 years and over | 16 years and over | 18 years and over |
| vaccination doses | 2 doses | 2 doses | 2 doses |
| vaccination interval | at least 8 weeks apart | at least 28 days apart | at least 28 days apart |
| Vaccination route | intramuscular injection | intramuscular injection | intramuscular injection |
Am I suitable for vaccination?
Those who cannot be vaccinated include:
Those who are allergic to ingredients contained in vaccines.
Those who develop acute severe allergic reactions after the first dose of vaccine.
Youth under 18 years old. (Editor’s note: Minister of Education Pan Wenzhong announced on September 6 that the Pfizer/BNT vaccine will be vaccinated in schools. It is estimated that there are about 1.25 million adolescents aged 12 to under 18 in Taiwan who are eligible for vaccination. If students have adverse reactions after vaccination, they can When applying for vaccine leave, the principle is 3 days.)
For those with acute and severe illness accompanied by fever or acute infection, vaccination should be postponed.
People with the following conditions should carefully evaluate the benefits and risks of vaccination before deciding whether to vaccinate. Include:
Thrombocytopenia or any coagulation abnormality (such as hemophilia).
Immunocompromised patients (including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy).
Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant.
Breastfeeding women.
How much protection do vaccines provide? How long will it take for me to be protected after vaccination? How long does the protection last?
According to clinical trial results, after all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered, its protective power is approximately 60 to 90%, reducing the risk of illness, severe illness, or death.
After vaccination, the body needs time to produce protective antibodies. Protection usually begins to develop about 2 weeks after vaccination. Only by completing all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can the vaccine protection be ensured to last longer. It is important to note that there is still a small chance of getting COVID-19 after vaccination. Therefore, even if you have completed the COVID-19 vaccination, you should still abide by the new life principles of epidemic prevention, wash your hands frequently, wear masks, and maintain social distance to reduce the risk of infection.
Clinical trials or vaccination programs for COVID-19 vaccines have only been implemented for a few months so far. How long the vaccine’s protective power can be maintained requires longer-term observational data to answer.
Immunocompromised people, including those receiving immunosuppressive treatments, may have a weakened immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Should I worry about side effects and adverse reactions? What should I do if it happens?
Before vaccination, a doctor will evaluate whether it is suitable for vaccination, including:
Whether you are allergic to vaccine ingredients.
Do you have fever or are suffering from acute moderate to severe illness?
Whether you have received other vaccines recently.
Persons with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation abnormality, immunocompromised patients, pregnant or possibly pregnant patients, or breast-feeding patients need to be carefully evaluated before administration.
Allergic reactions usually occur 5-30 minutes after vaccination, so you should take a short break in the vaccination unit after vaccination and observe for at least 30 minutes, and then leave after you are fine.
Vaccine side effects usually occur 1-3 days after vaccination. If they occur, rest or symptom treatment is required, such as pain at the vaccination site, which usually disappears within a few days, or fever, which usually resolves within 48 hours. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, treatment should be Medical treatment tracking.
Frequency of vaccine side effects
| frequency | side effect |
|---|---|
| Very common ≧10% | Pain and swelling at the vaccination site; bruising, tiredness; malaise; fever/fever (≥38°C); chills; headache; nausea; joint pain; muscle pain |
| Common 1%–10% | Vomiting; hard lump at vaccination site |
| Uncommon 0.1%–1% | Swollen lymph nodes; decreased appetite; dizziness; abdominal pain; hyperhidrosis; itching; rash |
Regarding thrombotic events after vaccination, according to the assessment of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), this vaccine may be related to the rare blood clots associated with thrombocytopenia, but it is used to combat COVID-19 (this virus). (itself can also cause blood clots and may cause death), the benefits still outweigh the risks of side effects, but it is still included in the relevant restrictions and is subject to physician evaluation before vaccination.
If side effects or suspected symptoms of adverse reactions occur, you can call: 1922 hotline, or proactively contact the original treatment hospital to facilitate timely diagnosis or notification; you can also download the disease management tracking system V-watch and push reminders on the LINE app , allowing vaccinated people to report their health status and obtain relevant health and education information on their mobile phones.
Use vaccines to build Taiwan’s immune firewall in advance. The severe epidemic will pass, thanks to epidemic prevention policies that keep pace with the times and people who are willing to cooperate. Completing vaccine coverage as early as possible may prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and reduce the spread of the epidemic. When administering the vaccine, medical staff will explain the risks in detail to the public and discuss safety issues. However, the COVID-19 vaccination should still be completed Observe the new life principles of epidemic prevention, wash hands frequently, wear masks, and maintain social distance. Let us work together to prevent the epidemic!
Source:
Cathay Medical News - [Should I get vaccinated? What should I do if I’m afraid of side effects? COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A]
