Since December of last year, coronavirus vaccination programs under the supervision of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have begun in the US. Till now, around two million Americans have been vaccinated. Initially, the vaccine was only limited to healthcare workers and at-risk groups. Now, there are plans to include other people over time. As the vaccination will become available to the general public soon, people are asking questions about its safety.
According to the data from clinical trials, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for coronavirus are safe to use for the majority as they have undergone all fundamental procedures needed for approval. Secondly, their effects have also been examined by scientific committees that are not associated with any companies or governmental agencies.
For people who are worried about the potential side effects of these vaccinations, experts explain that vaccines do not work like other medicines. They cannot amalgamate in the body and cause issues later. The immune response after receiving a short is very quick and the vaccine does not stay in the body for longer than a few weeks.
Also, there is no significant difference between the efficacy and safety concerns of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Experts do not recommend one vaccine over the other. Currently, it is better to get any of the two which are available. However, certain groups may need to be more cautious than others.
For instance, people with allergies can react to some of the ingredients used in the vaccines. At the beginning of phase I of vaccine distribution in the US, the CDC reported a few cases of healthcare workers getting severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis after getting a shot.
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Anaphylaxis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Any negligence can result in more complications and even death. Although there are cases of people reacting badly to the vaccine, they are very rare.
Overall, the chances of having an allergic reaction are low. In order to cut down the risk further, the CDC has advised healthcare experts to observe people for at least fifteen minutes after getting the vaccine. On the other hand, people who have a history of allergic reactions to vaccination will be observed for thirty minutes.
Make sure to mention your medical history to your doctor before getting the vaccine or tell about allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccines. A list of the ingredients in Pfizer and Moderna is available online for checking.
In addition to allergies, a number of existent medical issues can also make vaccinations unsafe. People with health issues can receive a coronavirus shot if they have no contraindications to the vaccines.
While the vaccines are safe, they cannot be used in children and adolescents. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for usage in individuals aged sixteen and over. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for usage in people aged eighteen and over only.
Since there is not enough data to ensure that the vaccines are safe for children younger than sixteen, their use should be limited to adults.