By now some people are fully vaccinated, while many are waiting to get their second coronavirus jab. The second dose of the covid-19 vaccine is extremely important, the side effects of this dose can also be more intense than the first one. But don’t worry, experts, say that stronger reactions are not really anything to worry about. You must be wondering when both the doses are the same how come the side effects be different? Well, check out the details below:
How does it work?
The first dose of the vaccine kicks necessary inflammatory reactions and starts building antibodies. When the second dose is injected, the memory cells come into action. As it works towards providing higher antibodies, it remembers the infection from the first time around, and thus, the immune system could be more strong and lead to more intense side effects.
Experts also believe that side effects depend on the vaccines. With the other injections, the immune system usually recognizes the infection and might respond less severely, with a COVID-19 vaccine injection, the reaction is expected to be severe.
Everyone’s immune system responds differently to vaccines. Soreness, headache, fatigue, and fever symptoms tend to last only a day or two but can linger for some people depending on their immune system. Genetic make-up and hormonal changes could also cause reactogenic flare-ups. This is for the same reason why women tend to experience more intense side-effects than men do.
Do strong side effects hint at post-infection?
There are some new reports which suggest that COVID survivors, who do get vaccinated might experience harsher side-effects, or get mild side-effects for a longer time, compared to someone who has been vaccinated without prior infection.
We know that vaccine side effects can be very uncomfortable, but they will go away soon. You just need to rest and recover, so take a day off and relax. Avoid anything that stresses your immune system, sleep well the night before your scheduled dose and consume a lot of water after getting the jab.