Mild fever, weakness side effects of coronavirus vaccine

Highlights

• 578 people have so far reported site effects after taking vaccine
• Mild fever, pain, weakness common side effects
• Paracetamol, nutritious food suggested to take
• None required to get admitted to hospital after taking jab
• Vaccination centres ready to deal with any major problem

The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination is going on in full swing when 20,82,877 people have taken the jab in the first 12 days.

Among the vaccine recipients, 57 people informed the health department that they experienced fever, pain, weakness and various other side effects. However, no serious side effects have so far been reported.

There is nothing to worry about if the vaccine has a slight side effect, doctors said.

Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, medicine specialist and personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told The Business Standard that the side effects of coronavirus vaccine are temporary.

Paracetamol should be taken in case of fever or pain, and a little more water needs to be drunk up, he gave the advice.

There is also reported that some are experiencing weakness, which is basically a psychological issue, Professor Abdullah said, adding that in case of weakness, nutritious food, fruits and vegetables should be taken along with rest and everything will be fine in a day or two.

A Nilphamari Housewife Luna Begum (50) took the jab on Monday last.

She said she felt weak for three days after receiving the vaccine, but now she is fine.

Journalist Shakhawat Liton had a mild fever on Wednesday evening after taking the jab on Tuesday.

"I took paracetamol and now the fever is gone, but I have been suffering from weakness since Friday which creates a problem in carrying out regular activities," said the newsman.

Like Luna Begum and Sakhawat Liton, many have been reported to suffer from fever, pain in the hand or weakness for a day or two after being vaccinated.

Professor Dr Nazmul Islam, director, Communicable Disease Control, and spokesperson of DGHS, told The Business Standard, "So far, we have not received any information that anyone has been taken to hospital due to severe illness following vaccination."

If anyone feels any problem after inoculation, they can call the hotline number of the health department or the number written on the vaccination card, he said.

Professor Dr Nazmul Islam said the side effects of the vaccine -- body ache, mild fever, pain and weakness – are not disease. These are some problems when vaccine starts working in the body.

The weakness lasts three to four days, however, this won't interfere with normal activities very much, the doctor said, advising rest and eating fruits.

According to the UK Government, the possible side effects for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are tenderness, swelling, pain, redness, swelling, warmth or bruising around the site of injection, feeling unwell, fatigue, Chills, headache, nausea, joint or muscle ache, a lump at the site of injection, fever, vomiting and flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough or sore throat.

According to the Department of Health, 23,4564 people were vaccinated against coronavirus in the country on Saturday. Of these, 45 people reported side effects.

However, the health department has not yet compiled data on what percent of the vaccine recipients is suffering from fever, weakness or any other problems.

Nazmul Islam said data on the side effects would be generated one or two months after vaccination.

He said every vaccine centre is prepared to deal with post-vaccine side-effects. Seats have been left vacant in each centre while specialist doctors, ambulance and intensive care unit have been kept ready.

If there are any serious side effects, they can be noticeable 15-20 minutes after the vaccine is administered and so the vaccine recipients are being monitored for thirty minutes, said Nazmul.

Bangladesh is carrying out vaccination in 1,005 centres across the country.

Except for the weekends, 2,400 teams are inoculating the citizens from 8am to 2:30pm every day.