COVID-19: Experts urge transparency about vaccine side effects

*Doctors explain how people are ‘probably not going to feel wonderful’ after getting the two-dose vaccine

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the global world much expects the production and distribution of successful COVID-19 vaccines for immunisation against the damaging Coronavirus (COVID-19) soon, medical professionals are urging the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials to make sure that patients are prepared for the possibility of side effects after getting vaccinated against the virus.

ConsumerConnect gathered Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association, in a virtual meeting with CDC advisers Monday, November 23 stressed the need for drugmakers and health officials to be transparent about side effects.

Both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines require two doses in order to be fully effective.

Fryhofer, however, expressed concern that patients may decide not to come back for the second dose of the shot due to the side effects they may experience after the first shot.

She stated: “We really need to make patients aware that this is not going to be a walk in the park.

“They are going to know they had a vaccine. They are probably not going to feel wonderful. But they’ve got to come back for that second dose.”

Regarding the possible uncomfortable side effects of the required doses, in clinical trials for both of the vaccines, patients reported experiencing symptoms including high fever, body aches, bad headaches, and daylong exhaustion, CNBC report said.

However, most patients said the symptoms subsided after a day. Participants also said short-lived side effects were better than getting COVID-19.

Agency report noted Pfizer and Moderna have both said their vaccines could cause side effects like muscle pain, chills, and a headache ─symptoms that experts say indicate that the body is starting to develop immunity to the virus.

For instance, a participant in the Moderna study said she got a migraine that interfered with her ability to focus.

She reported feeling better the following day after taking Excedrin, but she said Moderna should consider advising people to take the day off after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.

“The first dose is no big deal. And then the second dose will definitely put you down for the day for sure.

“You will need to take a day off after the second dose,” said the participant.