Vaccine Side Effects and Adverse Events

A woman is receiving a vaccine injection to her upper arm by a clinical physician

Living in the 21st century seems very scary. Many infectious diseases are going around. In most cases, the only thing you must do to protect yourself is to get vaccinated.

For many, this comes easy, without any consequences. However, others have had side effects and adverse events from trying to protect themselves through vaccines.

These side effects and adverse events from vaccines are a great concern to the medical field and even to the consumers.

The aftermath of administering that protective vaccine is what we are about to consider. We understand your curiosity, and we have made everything you need to know available.

First, let’s talk about side effects.

Side Effects

A side effect is an undesirable outcome of using a vaccine. Many vaccines have side effects, and the manufacturers would often state the effects.

Since humans do not all enjoy the same level of immunity and are susceptible to different allergy, side effects differ in every one.

While it may be mild in some people, it might be severe in others, even to cause death.

The common side effects from vaccines include;

  • Muscle and Joint Aches
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Mild fever
  • Pain and swelling of some body parts.
  • Interestingly, when your body shows some side effects, it may be trying to build immunity to some diseases. In most cases, the side effects are what would fade away in a short time.

If you feel that it persists longer than usual, you can speak to your doctor about it.

Adverse Events

An adverse event is any health problem that happens after a vaccine injection. A vaccine might cause an adverse event, or it might not have any direct relationship with the vaccine’s usage. Hence, it can be an unintended consequence.

Most times, adverse events occur in patients partaking in clinical trials. When this happens, it is expected that the medical personnel reports this promptly. Doing this would give enough time to go through the process and correct whatever lapses might have caused the adverse events.

This would also allow for proper documentation and avoid the risk of larger adverse events among the patients.

One certain thing is that all clinical trials have the potentials to produce adverse events on the patients. So, the process and reaction of a vaccine must be keenly followed.

The Center for Disease Control lists four types of Adverse Events to be;

  • Unrelated Health Problem which would have occurred even if the patient had not taken the vaccine
  • Health Problems that cannot be directly related to the vaccine, which is unknown and has insufficient evidence to tie it to the vaccine
  • True reactions to the vaccine, which include commonly known reactions and allergy
  • Side effects which are any health problem shown by studies to be caused by a vaccine
  • In everything, before you consent to a vaccine, always have the doctors explain to you the likely side effects or adverse events. This would help you prepare ahead. You can also see the leaflet containing the vaccine information statement or the safety information by the vaccine.