COVID-19 Vaccines and Side Effects

After the declaration of a worldwide pandemic in March 2020, the efforts to produce a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) gained momentum. Today, there are many different types of these vaccines applied in our country, and only two types are currently applied. Coronavirus vaccines are usually administered in two doses, and it is recommended that there be approximately 4 weeks between two doses.

Types of Covid-19 Vaccine

There are four different types of corona vaccines in the world, inactive and mRNA vaccines in our country. is used. The types of coronavirus vaccines used in Turkey and other countries are as follows:

• Inactivated or Attenuated Virus Vaccines: It is prepared by inactivating or weakening the effect of the virus. Since the inactivated coronavirus vaccine is created with weakened viruses, it contributes to the preparation of the body's immune system against the virus without causing illness. CoronaVac vaccine produced by Sinovac company, which is also applied in our country, is an inactive vaccine and is in this class. Inactivated vaccines are made in two doses.

• RNA and DNA Vaccines: Developed using the genetic material of the virus that causes the disease. When this type of coronavirus vaccine is injected into the body, it provides a safe immune response. It contributes to the body's protein production and provides protection against disease. The mRNA vaccine named “BNT162b2” produced by Pfizer/BioNtech companies, which is also used in our country, is in this class. The mRNA vaccine produced by the Moderna company in the USA is also an example of this type of vaccine. mRNA vaccines are made in two doses.

• Protein-Based Vaccines: They are produced from harmless protein fragments that mimic the protein structure of the virus that causes Covid-19 disease and provide a safe immune response against the disease.

• Viral Vector Vaccines: It is produced for the safe virus that does not cause disease to produce coronavirus proteins. It helps to form a safe immune response in the body against coronavirus disease. Sputnik V produced by Gamaleya and the covid-19 vaccines named ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 produced by Oxford University and AstraZeneca are in this group.

Side Effects of Covid-19 Vaccines

The side effects of coronavirus vaccines were investigated in the studies and it was concluded that the vaccines used in the market do not have very important side effects or that these effects are seen in very rare cases.

• BioNtech Vaccine Side Effects: Symptoms such as arm pain and sensitivity to touch in the arm were common in people who had the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine named BNT162b2. Symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, headache, swelling and warmth at the injection site have been rare. Side effects such as joint-muscle pain, nausea, chills and chills, diarrhea, swelling of the armpits, bruising or itching at the injection site, and allergies are also very rare. Although the incidence of side effects increases after the second dose of vaccine, it is known that the vaccine does not have any significant side effects. The most common side effects are headache, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Studies have shown that the inactivated vaccine does not have any significant life-threatening side effects. Post-vaccine allergic reaction is also very rare. In addition, side effects such as fever, muscle pain and dizziness can also be seen, although rare. Side effects that may be encountered after vaccination are generally as follows:
  • Pain, redness, swelling in the vaccination area,
  • Fatigue, weakness,
  • Headache,
  • Muscle pain,
  • Chilly,
  • Fever,
  • Nausea,
  A clean, cold place around the arm to reduce side effects in the arm and can be wrapped in a wet cloth. Arm exercises and using the vaccinated arm also relieve pain. In addition, in case of fever, drinking plenty of fluids and wearing thin clothes reduces discomfort. If the redness or sensitivity in the corona vaccine area does not subside after 24 hours, or if it worsens or if the discomforting symptoms persist despite a few days after the vaccination, a healthcare provider should be consulted. Symptoms that affect daily life In case of a foal, resting may be recommended in terms of accelerating the healing process.

  Can a Bath Be Taken After the Covid-19 Vaccine?

  Generally, healthcare professionals do not take a shower for 24 hours after the corona vaccine and the vaccination area is not taken into account. It is recommended to avoid contact with water. Although the reason for this is to prevent infection by bacteria that can be transmitted to the injection site through water, studies have shown that there is no harm in taking a bath or shower after vaccination. However, not taking a bath with water that is not sure of its cleanliness is sufficient to prevent infections that may occur on the skin.

  Which Vaccine Should Be Preferred?

  There are two types of vaccines applied in Turkey. One of them is the inactivated vaccine called CoronaVac, developed by the Chinese company Sinovac, and the other is the mRNA vaccine named BNT162b2, developed jointly by German-based BioNtech and Pfizer. Inactive vaccines such as CoronaVac, which is among the Covid-19 vaccine types, are produced by inactivating or weakening viruses. . This method is also used in some childhood vaccines. Side effects of inactivated vaccines with long-term studies are rarely seen, and they can be recommended especially for people with weak immune systems or chronic diseases.
  mRNA vaccines are produced with a technique that has been studied in recent years and are relatively new compared to inactivated vaccines.
  Looking at the side-effect profile, although the inactivated vaccine is safer, the mRNA vaccine stands out as the mutation protection rate. However, even with studies, it is close to impossible to demonstrate the superiority of one of the vaccines over the other. The main reason for this is that each person's response to the vaccine is different. Therefore, it is recommended that people with weakened immunity, additional chronic diseases, breastfeeding or pregnancy should consult their physician before getting vaccinated. In terms of safety and efficacy, phase 3 studies of both vaccines have been conducted and the vaccines have been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. This means that both vaccines have similar properties in terms of safety and efficacy.

  How Long Are Covid-19 Vaccines Effective?

  Coronavirus a It is not yet known how long the vaccines are effective, as not enough time has passed since the vaccines became available on the market. However, although research on this subject continues, the fact that people who have had Covid-19 disease become immune to the disease for a while in the light of current data indicates that the vaccines will provide protection for a similar period. even 94% of the protective effect of the vaccine continues; It makes us think that the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine will have similar protection. It is important to pay attention to hand hygiene. In addition, studies have shown that even if the second dose of the vaccine is made, it takes an average of two weeks for the immune response to occur in the body. Therefore, mask, social distance and hygiene rules must be followed during this time.
  You can apply to health institutions for detailed information about Covid-19 vaccine types and their side effects. We wish you healthy days.

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