Side effects of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine are normal, common, experts say

HOUSTON – Arm pain, fatigue, mild headaches and fever are just some of the side effects that health experts can expect after receiving the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Side effects are not only common, they are a good sign, according to Linda Yancey, a specialist in infectious diseases at Memorial Hermann.

The reason you get more of these effects after the second dose is that the first dose is the first time your immune system has ever seen these viral proteins, Yancey said. “So he will realize that there is something wrong. It will start producing antibodies, but the second dose, your immune system has been warned, so it will look at those viral proteins and say, “Whoa! Whoa! These are issues that we need to address. ”

The Centers for Disease Control reports that of the 619,452 side doses given in Texas, there were only 15 significant reports of side effects. Only four of them needed hospitalization that lasted less than 5 days.

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“COVID has a one in 30 chance of killing you and one in 10 chances of leaving you with side effects that can last for months, certainly an arm ache and a few days pain is a small price to pay,” said Yancey.

She said the side effects of a vaccine are nothing new, but they are different.

“The flu vaccine tends to have slightly milder side effects. The tetanus vaccine is one of our best vaccines and that’s why you have those side effects, “said Yancey.

The side effects are expected to last only 24 to 48 hours. If side effects continue, Yancey said you should make an appointment with your primary care physician.