Still worried about getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Here are the side effects – Statesman Journal

Pfizer announced COVID-19 vaccine is safe for kids: Here's how long it could take for approval

A smaller dose of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe to use on children ages 5-11 years old. Heres why it could take weeks for approval.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Like all vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccines carry the potential for side effects. These side effects are most often minor and go away in a matter of days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, "no long-term side effects have been detected"for COVID-19 vaccines and monitoring of potential side effects from the vaccine continues.

Allergic reactions are also possible.

Here are the most common side effects from COVID-19 vaccination, according to the CDC:

In the arm where the shot is receivedpain, redness and swelling are common. One could also experience headaches, tiredness, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea.

These particularly fever and body aches can be signs that your body is building up its protections against COVID-19.

The use of over-the-counter medication to address these side effects can be used after vaccination. It is not recommended that medication to address side effectsbe taken beforehand.

To reduce pain or discomfort from the shot, exercising the arm or using a cool, damp cloth can be effective. For a fever, drink fluids.

Side effects from the second shot can be more severe than the first, but this is not always the case.

Serious side effects with the COVID-19 vaccine are rare, and the CDC has determined that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Rare adverse events after the Moderna vaccine have included Guillain-Barr syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurologic disorder that includes weakness and paralysis in the limbs and muscles,and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which causes blood clots and low platelet levels.

The Moderna vaccine has been given to more than 12 million people. There have been 100 reports of Guillain-Barr, and one resulting death. Symptoms typically begin with weakness and tingling in the extremities that quickly spread.

According to the CDC, there have been 38 cases of TTS within 15 days of vaccination, and four resulting deaths.Symptoms typically appear four to 30 days after vaccination and can include persistent headaches, visual changes, abdominal pain, chest pain, leg pain, coldness in limbs and acute bruising or bleeding.

Get vaccinated: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Marion, Polk counties

The CDC estimates that per million doses of Moderna given to men age 50-64, 1,800 hospitalizations and 140 deaths attributable to COVID-19 could be prevented by getting vaccinated, compared with 14-17 Guilian Barr cases and 1-2 TTS cases prevented by not getting vaccinated.

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart,hasbeen reported after the Pfizer vaccine, particularly after the second dose and more often for men or young adults several days after vaccination.

About 141 million Americans have received both doses of the two vaccines. According to the CDC, there have been 497 cases of myocarditis, and no resulting deaths. Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath and feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart.

The CDC has said it is safe to get a flu shot at the same time you get one of the COVID-19 vaccine shots.

The CDC says a vaccine recipient should call their doctor if redness or tenderness around the shot location gets worse after 24 hours, or if side effects do not seem to be going away after a few days.

Reporter Connor Radnovich covers the Oregon Legislature and state government. Contact him at cradnovich@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6864, or follow him on Twitter at @CDRadnovich.

Support local journalism by subscribing to the Statesman Journal.

More:

Still worried about getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Here are the side effects - Statesman Journal