When Might COVID-19 Booster Shot Side Effects Start?

Rare reports of vaccine-relatedmyocarditisandpericarditis(inflammation of theheartand surrounding tissues) have been observed with mRNAvaccines(Pfizer and Moderna).

• Current evidence suggests that this relatively serious, but rare, the complication is more common in individuals between 12 and 39 years, with men being affected more frequently than women.
• Most reported cases have been in menwithin a week of vaccination.
• Symptoms are highfever,chest pain, andshortness of breath.
• Individuals have responded well to medical treatment, proving that the benefits of mRNAvaccines(preventing fatal disease) outweigh this potential side effect.

An adverse event specific to the Janssen vaccine is unusualblood clotsin the brain and abdominal veins along with low platelet counts. These occurredwithin three weeks of vaccinationand were more common in people between 18 and 59 years, particularly women.

Not everyone will experience all side effects related to the vaccine. If your symptoms get worse after 24 hours of vaccination or symptoms persist for more than a week, you must contact your physician.

Alternatively, you may download V-safe, which is a smartphone-based app recommended by the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention(CDC) that uses texts and web surveys to check in on you after you receive yourCOVID-19vaccine. Through V-safe surveys, the CDC keeps tabs on any untowardCOVID-19vaccine side effects, and someone from the CDC may call to check on you.

This app will inform you if you need additional or booster shot requirements. However, this app does not give out vaccine certificates, medical advice, or schedule your vaccine appointments.

As per the latest recommendation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, every individual who is 18 years and older and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is eligible for a booster.

The suggested booster schedule is as follows:

• At least two months after a single shot of Johnson & Johnson's (Janssen) vaccine
• At least six months after you have taken the two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine

Any of the available vaccines can be used for the booster dose, regardless of the vaccine used for the primary series. This means you may receive a Janssen booster if your primary vaccine was mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna) or vice versa. Such combinations have been proven more effective in eliciting a protective antibody response.

Getting your COVID-19 vaccination is more important than ever as the world stares inanxietyat the new Omicron strain of coronavirus. Although vaccines cause minor side effects, mostvaccinationshave a proven record for safety and efficacy and provide continued protection against severe complications of COVID-19 in the population across various age groups.

Here is the vaccination schedule approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that may help you:

Symptoms such as redness, swelling, mild fever,swollen lymph nodes,fatigue, and body ache are in fact markers that the body is developing immunity against the COVID-19 virus. Hence, these should not be a reason for concern.

• These effects can be minimized by rest, movement of the infected arm, intake of plenty of oral fluids, and anacetaminophentablet if needed.
• If there is severe throbbing at the vaccine site, you may apply an ice pack (but no heat) for about five minutes at a time, three to four times a day.

Avoid fasting, consumption of alcoholicdrinks, orsmokingin the 48 hours following the vaccination.

Vaccines and boosters will probably be effective against the Omicron variant, but we do not know for sure. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has been declared as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization due to the high rate of mutation in the virus.

The strain is currently being investigated by scientists worldwide. Although the strain is more infectious than the Delta variant, we do not know if it will cause more severe disease or fatalities. Some evidence suggests that this strain may cause an increased risk of reinfection or disease even in vaccinated individuals, but we do not have any concrete information.

Meanwhile, regular handwashing, using protective masks (FFP, N95, or medicine masks), and maintaining social distance are effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from the Omicron (or any other) COVID-19 strain. These should be followed despite your vaccination status.