COVID-19 Update: Monday, March 22nd

vaccine side-effects update

Today I want to offer an update on the possible side effects of each of the three approved US vaccines. Like all medications, some people may experience negative side effects so understanding what may happen is an important part of the process. REMEMBER: the events described below are not verified as vaccine caused, they are simply all the events reported and under investigation.

1. Johnson & Johnson - the newest vaccine is a one-shot vaccine. As of March 20, 2021, there have been 2.16 million doses delivered and 300 adverse events reported. The most common adverse events are minor in nature (chills, fever, aches) and are short-lived (overnight for most reports). Of those that were serious, the most common were dizziness/fainting, nausea, blood pressure issues (either a drop or a spike), abdominal pain, and heart palpitations. Six total events required hospitalization, one-self reported event was listed as life-threatening (fever, BP fluctuations, nausea, and chest pain). People in their 30's and 40's experienced more events than other ages. Some people did experience allergic reactions. After reviewing the data I would encourage you to remain at the location where you get your injection for at least 15 minutes, report any side effects you may experience, and don't try to stand up if you are dizzy. Fainting and heart palpitations were the ones that stood out to me. To date, there have been 0 deaths associated with the J&J vaccine and the risk of experiencing any adverse effect is 0.00014%.

2. Moderna - As of March 20, 2021, there have been 58.29 million doses administered and 16,740 adverse events reported. Events range from pain at the injection site to death (834 deaths have been reported and are under investigation). Deaths were most common among those 65+ with complex medical histories and involved anyone who died within 30 days of receiving the vaccine. Remember that this is everything reported and does not necessarily reflect the actual cause/effect of the vaccine. 62% of all reported events did not require medical intervention and included fever, body aches, and chills after the 2nd injection. Of note, do not get vaccinated if you have active COVID. The current risk of experiencing an adverse event from the Moderna vaccine is 0.00029%.

3. Pfizer - As of March 20, 2021, there have been 60.85 million doses administered and 21,230 adverse events reported. Events range from pain at the injection site to death (769 deaths have been reported and are under investigation). The overwhelming majority of deaths occurred in those 65+ with complex medical histories and/or other significant medical conditions. 2k events reported requiring hospitalization and that was most common in those 50+. The majority of events did not require medical intervention and included fever, body aches, and chills after the 2nd injection. The current risk of experiencing an adverse event from the Pfizer vaccine is 0.00035%

It is very important to keep the information in context. Vaccines are medication and therefore do include risks as do all medications. While the majority of deaths reported will most likely be found not to be associated with the vaccine some will be related. The reporting system does not capture every single person who felt ill after being vaccinated and every entry in the system is not necessarily valid - but the majority are considered reliable reports of what is known. It is imperative that each of us understand the risks and benefits and then make the decision that is right for us.

Worth noting - Israel has vaccinated 84% of their population and has seen a dramatic decline in their COVID numbers indicating that the vaccines are doing their jobs.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Things are starting to improve, as vaccination rates increase, and the weather improves so we can get outside again, things are improving and we are starting to think about life after this pandemic. We know that will take time and patience too. I want to encourage you to be kind to yourself. Give yourself time. Expect some mood fluctuations. Expect to feel tired and for motivation to take a bit of a dip. This has been traumatic for the world. So treat yourself as kindly as you would treat your best friend.