After receiving your COVID vaccine, there are some expected side effects that will follow.
Similarly to any vaccine, the FDA approved COVID vaccine will likely result in side effects such as fatigue, body aches, headache, and fever. If you are experiencing these symptoms post vaccination, do not fret! This is your body’s natural response is to produce antibodies which will cause these effects- it means your immune system is working properly! You may not even experience side effects at all, but this does not mean that the vaccine isn’t taking effect- every body will react differently.
Some people have experienced the second dose having a much more intense effect than the first, this is also no reason to worry.
When to worry
The main risk of the vaccine (so far as we know) is an allergic reaction- anaphylactic shock in the most severe cases. However, the likeliness of an allergic reaction is very low and signs of this will typically show within thirty minutes of receiving the dose. Because of this, your provider will probably ask you to stay there for this half hour time window to monitor you for any unusual reactions.
If your symptoms last longer than 48 hours, contact your vaccination center ASAP.