The UK is on track to vaccinate all over 50s with at least one dose by the end of the month. The unprecedented vaccination effort has given rise to a plethora of reported side effects. It’s important to note that side effects are customary with flu jab vaccinations and the benefits of getting the COVID-19 jab far outweigh the potential complications caused by catching the virus itself.
According to the NHS, any side effects usually go away within a few days.
Some of the common side effects of the coronavirus vaccine may include:
- Tenderness, swelling and/or redness at the injection site
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Feeling tired
- Fever (temperature above 37.8°C).
However, a less common side effect is swollen glands in the armpit or neck, on the same side as the arm where you had the vaccine, notes the NHS.
“This can last for around 10 days, but if it lasts longer see your doctor,” says the health body.
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According to Public Health England (PHE), if you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
“This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet,” says PHE.
“If you are concerned about a side-effect it can be reported directly via the Coronavirus Yellow Card reporting site or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store and include the vaccine brand and batch/Lot number if available,” the health body says.
As it points out, by reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this vaccine.
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Vaccine UK latest
More than 24 million people have already received a first dose of Covid vaccine in the UK.
Vaccination teams are now working their way through the priority list of people in their 50s and younger adults with disability.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
In England, the vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and pharmacies, at local centres run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres.
Blood clot link – latest
There have been reports in some countries of a small number of people having blood clots after the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The MHRA (UK drug regulatory body) says the current evidence does not suggest the clots were caused by the vaccine and you should still get vaccinated when invited.
Dr Phil Bryan, MHRA Vaccines Safety Lead said: “Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon. More than 11 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vaccine have now been administered across the UK.
“Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population.”
Source: Daily Express
