Vaccines for the emerging coronavirus "Covid-19" have achieved tremendous success in efforts to control the pandemic in the world, and many countries have begun to ease precautionary measures and closures.
Although vaccines may be associated with complications, they are very rare and much less than complications caused by Corona disease itself.
In this special report, we review the latest data on the complications of rare corona vaccines for some vaccines, and show that their risk is much lower than the benefits of obtaining vaccines. The goal of this report:
Clarify the importance of vaccines, and that even with complications, they are rare, and far less than the benefits of the vaccine, according to statements by medical institutions.
Introducing the reader to the potential complications of each type of vaccine, so that he is aware and goes to the doctor or emergency department directly if he suspects that he suffers from one of these rare complications, to deal with it as soon as possible.
The report did not include all existing vaccines, as some of them do not have sufficient data.
Consult your doctor and the health authorities in your country about details and updates of the vaccine you will receive, as well as the vaccines mentioned here.
Experts say the risks of serious side effects from vaccination remain far less than the benefits.
Vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases of illness and death, and even against new strains of coronavirus.
Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine - told Science News - that side effects known to be caused by vaccines are usually short-lived and disappear on their own, treatable or reversible.
The number of cases of side effects per million doses of the vaccine, Maldonado says, is "less than you're likely to get bitten by a shark if you go to the beach, get run over from a car if you cross the street, or die in a plane crash, yet we seem to go to the beach." We cross the street and take planes every day."
Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna
heart inflammation
These two vaccines are based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.
And last Friday, the World Health Organization said that there is a “possible” link between cases of inflammation in the heart and vaccines that adopt this technology against Covid-19, but the benefits of these vaccines outweigh their risks, confirming reports by American experts.
Experts from the WHO Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee said in a statement that cases of "myocarditis" and "pericarditis" have been reported in many countries, especially the United States.
They noted that "reported cases generally occurred in the days after vaccination, more often in young people and more often after the second dose of the mRNA vaccine against Covid-19."
After reviewing the information available to date, WHO experts concluded that "the current data suggest a possible causal link between myocarditis and mRNA vaccines."
On the other hand, they noted that "the benefits of messenger RNA vaccines outweigh the risks in reducing hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19."
WHO experts added that the available data indicate that the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination is generally mild and responds to treatment, noting that "follow-up is underway to determine the long-term effects."
On June 23, the US health authorities had already announced a “possible” link between vaccines against Covid-19 from the Vaez-Biontech and Moderna vaccines and rare cases of heart infections in adolescents and young adults, but the benefits of these treatments still “much outweigh” the risks.
The European Medicines Agency's Risk Assessment and Pharmacovigilance Committee - at its meeting held between the fifth and sixth of July - examined the latest data from Europe and confirmed the existence of a reasonable causal relationship between myocarditis and vaccines with messenger RNA technology, according to the World Health Organization.
Covid-19 disease itself sometimes causes myocarditis.
For example, out of 1,597 college athletes who contracted corona infection, 37 of them showed signs of myocarditis, researchers reported on May 27 in the journal JAMA Cardiology.
Myocarditis is a rare disease that experts believe is usually caused by a virus.
Its most common symptom is chest pain, and it is often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or, if necessary, with supportive doses of oxygen.
A report by the Belgian "Le Soir" website said that these side effects were observed mainly within 14 days of receiving the vaccination, and often after taking the second dose, especially in younger adult men, with one death out of 5 people observed. They have these effects, and they are either elderly or suffer from chronic diseases.
Heart infection symptoms
Although symptoms can vary,
They often include:
shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
pain in chest
Allergy
According to the "Science News" website, out of every million doses given of messenger RNA vaccines, about 2.5 to 11.1 severe allergic reactions will occur to a component called "polyethylene glycol";
This is why people are usually monitored for at least 15 minutes after the injection.
The risk is obviously higher for people who are allergic to polyethylene glycol and may want to avoid mRNA vaccines.
And if the vaccine is broken down into smaller doses, researchers reported in April in the Annals of Internal Medicine that if the vaccine is broken down into smaller doses, people with rare allergies may still be able to get the injections safely.
Symptoms of hypersensitivity
Anaphylaxis is a state of hypersensitivity that leads to a severe response from the immune system, resulting in a threat to a person's life. This condition usually occurs in food allergies, insect bites, and drug allergies, and may also occur with other types of allergies.
It may occur with a vaccine to which a person is allergic to.
Symptoms of hypersensitivity include
Vertigo.
Shortness of breath.
Fast and weak pulse.
rash.
Nausea and vomiting.
Enlargement of the airways may lead to blockage.
Unconsciousness.
An anaphylactic attack may result in a person's death if not treated.
Before receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor or health care provider if you have any allergies.
After you receive the vaccine, wait and don't leave until your health care provider tells you to make sure you don't have any allergic symptoms.
If you develop allergic symptoms, your health care provider will give you first aid.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
Guillain-Barré syndrome
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that reported nearly 100 cases of a rare neurological disorder called "Guillain-Barre GBS" after receiving this vaccine, according to Forbes magazine. ).
Cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome appeared about two weeks after receiving the vaccine, and were mostly seen in men over the age of 50.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare syndrome in which an autoimmune reaction occurs in the nervous system, resulting in muscle weakness and even paralysis.
Symptoms may begin as fuzzy tingling, unsteady gait, vision changes, or contractions.
If it develops it can lead to complete paralysis of the body, including paralysis of the breathing muscles.
This necessitates intubation and mechanical ventilation (putting on a ventilator) in the intensive care unit.
It is often observed after viral infections, most notably Zika virus or gastrointestinal bacterial infections.
While most patients recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome, this can lead to long-term weakness or muscle disorders.
Approximately 3,000 to 6,000 new cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome are reported each year in the United States.
Nearly 13 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered to date in the United States.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Symptoms of the disease begin in the feet and legs before moving to the arms and legs, and include the following symptoms:
Pain.
Numbness.
Increasing muscle weakness.
Problems with coordination of movements, as the person is unable to walk without assistance.
Weakness affects both sides of the body and may get worse over several days.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Last April, there were several cases of Johnson & Johnson who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and developed a rare life-threatening blood clot, known as "cerebral venous sinus thrombosis CVST", and it affected several individuals, mostly women between the ages of 18 and 48. .
3 of them died.
However, these cases are extremely rare.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis symptoms
Headache, according to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website.
blurred vision
Fainting or loss of consciousness.
Loss of movement control in part of the body.
seizures;
coma.
Thrombocytopenic Syndrome
After reports of 8 cases of thrombosis with "thrombocytopenia syndrome" (TTS) - a rare and severe disorder in blood clotting and low platelet count - the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration recommended stopping the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in April / April 2021.
After conducting a safety review, the two federal agencies lifted the suspension, concluding that "the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age or older and that the risk of developing thrombocytopenic syndrome after vaccination was very low."
Symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include the following, according to the Mayo Clinic:
bruises on the body;
Superficial bleeding into the skin.
prolonged bleeding from wounds;
Bleeding from the gums or nose.
Blood in the urine or stool.
Unusually strong menstrual cycle.
fatigue.
splenomegaly.
Oxford-AstraZeneca and the Serum Institute in India
blood clots
The European Medicines Agency and the Danish Health Authority noted that the 'Oxford-AstraZeneca' vaccine has been followed by incidents of 'blood clots'.
Of the 5 million people who received this vaccine, 30 cases of blood clots were reported.
And one case in Denmark led to death.
Symptoms of blood clots according to the UK's National Health Service:
Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the leg or arm.
Sudden shortness of breath, severe chest pain (which may be worse when you inhale) and coughing up blood or coughing up blood.
Blood clots can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Call 911 immediately.
Thrombocytopenic Syndrome
On April 7, 2021, the European Medicines Agency concluded that the "Oxford-AstraZeneca" vaccine should carry a warning of thrombocytopenia as a very rare side effect.
And the "Covishield" vaccine of the Serm Institute in India is the locally manufactured version of the "Oxford-AstraZeneca" vaccine.
India has not reported any blood clotting incidents related to Cocoshield.