Why do some people face side effects after the second blow to Pfizer and Moderna? Explain the UCSF doctor

SAN FRANCISCO – As more people are eligible for vaccination, there are reports of side effects after the second Pfizer and Moderna photo.

Dr. Robert Wachter, chief of medicine at UCSF, says many of these side effects could last two to three days. Dr. Wachter says that side effects after the second blow are more common because the immune response to the second blow is even stronger than the response to the first blow.

Luz Pena: “Isn’t having side effects a bad thing?”

Dr. Wachter: “No, it’s not. The way I think about them is that it’s a sign that they work. What’s a little weird about that, of course, as soon as you say people say ‘Oh, I didn’t get that means not working? The answer is: no. These two things prove to be true. Side effects are a sign that your body is producing its immune response. With no side effects, you should consider yourself lucky, but the vaccine seems to work just as well in people who have had no side effects. “

Pleasanton resident Will Anz received his second Pfizer shot on March 24 and had side effects a few hours after vaccination.

“I played recreational hockey and a goalkeeper game and I felt like I was playing 4 hockey games in a row. That’s how my body hurt. From my neck and shoulders to my ankles,” Anz said.

San Jose resident Anastasia is facing similar side effects after receiving her second blow to Pfizer on Thursday, April 15th.

Luz Pena: “How are you feeling?”

Anastasia: “I feel good. A little better than yesterday” and added: “I had a very hard night. I think I slept for an hour maybe. I threw myself and came back because I just had pain on the whole body and I’m still experiencing that today just taking Tylenol and cooling here and there. “

Dr. Wachter says that body aches, a mild fever and chills are a sign that your body has an immune response.

Luz Pena: “Why do women and young people have more side effects than the elderly?”

Dr. Wachter: “The youngest is easier than women. The answer to women I don’t think I know and I don’t think we know. The answer to older people vs. So the vaccine can induce what is called immunogenicity. That is your immune system. it also reacts if you have a stronger immune system, which you do if you are younger. “

Another side effect is insomnia. “I’ve heard of that. If the system is improved, it could happen,” Dr. Wachter said.

Many pointed to feeling the side effects of the vaccine 10-12 hours after the second shot.

“It’s basically a code that causes your body to start producing spike protein. Which then your body starts saying “oh this is a stranger, I’ve never seen this before I developed antibodies against it”. That only takes a short time. The whole manufacturing process is working, “said Dr. Wachter.

What is the difference between a normal reaction to the vaccine and a reaction that should worry you? Dr. Wachter says it’s about synchronization. A bad reaction or allergy occurs in the first 15-20 minutes after vaccination.

“They occur in about 1 in 250,000 people and are easy to treat,” said Dr. Wachter.

Dr. Wachter recommends that you stay hydrated in the vaccination program and do not take any anti-inflammatory drugs before the vaccine. Only after that, if you need it.

“Like Advil or Aleve, which are anti-inflammatory drugs. So, the idea of ​​taking a medicine to reduce the body’s inflammatory system when you actually want your body’s inflammatory system to react to the vaccine is a little healthy. In general, the recommendation is not to take any of these medicines before shooting. “

Even after two or three days of unrest, many of those who got the second Pfizer or Moderna hit agree on one thing.

“Low, low price to pay compared to actually getting COVID. I would encourage everyone to look for vaccination,” Anz said.