Side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine to know about
While vaccination is a precautionary step to minimize the risks of COVID-19, experiencing side-effects with the jab can be fairly common. Expecting a fever, prickly pain at the injection site, body pain and tiredness are the most common ones which co-exist with vaccines we have under approval. However, there are some who also experience some unusual reactions, including fainting and blackout.
Coronavirus vaccination side effects that may resemble COVID symptoms
Now, any side-effect apart from the ones which have been officially listed can be intriguing. They can also make one wonder if what they have developed is anaphylaxis or a possible allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. But, is fainting really a big cause of concern? If so, what should you do?
Why are fainting and lightheadedness commonly seen after vaccination?
Most people experience inflammatory symptoms such as fever, headache and body pain, some unusual events, such as fainting, blackout, lightheadedness, dizziness have also been recorded in people who have been inoculated against COVID-19.
Is it normal to feel tired after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
While these reports are still seen on the rarer side, fainting, dizziness and lightheadedness have been associated with almost all vaccines used globally.
Is it directly tied to the vaccine?
Fainting and dizziness are rare, but concerning side-effects. However, experts are yet to find a direct link to any of the vaccines causing these symptoms. Instead, what researchers have established is that fainting (also medically referred to as 'syncope') may be triggered by pain or anxiety-related events post-vaccination.
It has been seen that most events of fainting post-vaccination are linked to anxiety related to vaccination. As strange as it may seem, anxiety-related reactions, sometimes also referred to as 'immunization anxiety' or stress response can sometimes cause the heart rate to drop and make a person faint. Some people can also faint in anticipation of getting the vaccine, feel lightheaded, have sweaty, clammy skin.
Lightheadedness and loss of consciousness, fainting may be caused by a nervous reflex called vasovagal reaction, which can sometimes decrease blood pressure and heart rate, causing you to faint for a while.
When is it most likely to occur?
For most people, the onset of common side-effects with vaccines starts to show up a few hours after the vaccination and lasts for upto 3-4 days, resolving on its own. However, most of the incidental reports of fainting or a sudden dip in blood pressure levels, leading to a loss of consciousness can happen in the first thirty minutes or so following injection.
This being said, it could also be likely that some people are more at risk of fainting and experiencing side-effects as such than others. Teenagers, those dealing with acute deficiencies, undergoing stress or anxiety could be more likely to experience these side-effects. A previous report published by the CDC also established that 20% of the people who did faint after getting the vaccine had a prior history of fainting post-vaccination, or showcased an adverse reaction to needles.
How is it different from an allergy? When should you worry?
While experiencing side-effects such as fainting and extreme dizziness could be worrisome, experts do point out that these side-effects, or vasovagal reactions differ from allergic reactions or anaphylaxis (which require immediate attention). For one, while vasovagal reactions, fainting strike within the first few minutes of injection of the dose, allergic reactions happen when an allergen is absorbed, and then consequently recognized by the immune system, which can take upto 20-30 minutes post-vaccination to show up.
Allergic reactions are also most likely to afflict those who have a history of reactions, or are sensitive to one or more ingredients present in the vaccine.
Most importantly, events related to fainting or lightheadedness, while they do require attention, should be especially looked into if a person also reports adverse reactions such as swelling, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, skin reactions, extremely low blood pressure as well. Vasovagal reactions are also short-lived, and resolve after a while, making it much different from anaphylaxis.
What should you do to deal with adverse reactions as such?
People who faint or experience dizziness after getting vaccination usually tend to recover on their own, without help and experience little to no changes in their vital signs. However, it can still be a good idea to get in touch with a doctor and rule out anything adverse. Watching out for symptoms and side-effects as such is also one reason why it's important that people wait it out for 30 minutes in the observation room, after getting vaccinated.
Caregivers at site should be careful to give the patient water to drink and let them rest. As is, preventive measures prior to vaccination, such as the ones which can alleviate your stress and anxiety levels should be looked into. If you are anxious about getting vaccinated, want to mitigate side-effects, ensure that you sleep well the night before, have a well-balanced meal and read up on side-effects beforehand to prepare yourself.