As we know COVID-19 Vaccination campaigns are under way in  the United States and across the world. More than 2.62 billion doses of  COVID Vaccines have been administered across 180 countries, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The latest rate was roughly 39.7 million doses a day.

In the U.S., 318 million doses have been given so far. In the last week of May 2021, an average of 1.24 million doses per day was administered.

When will life return to normal?

While the best vaccines are thought to be 95% effective, it takes a coordinated campaign to stop a pandemic. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease official in the U.S., has said that vaccinating 70% to 85% of the U.S. population would enable a return to normalcy.

On a global scale, that’s a daunting level of vaccination. At the current pace of 39.7 million a day, it would take another year to achieve a high level of global immunity. The rate, however, is steadily increasing, and new vaccines by additional manufacturers are coming to market.

How COVID -19 Vaccines Work?

Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection. But with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus in the future.

It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to produce T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and then gets sick  because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.

Sometimes after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building immunity.

How Do We Know Vaccines are Safe?

Researchers collected safety and efficacy data as part of Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. and other countries. A combined total of over 115,000 volunteers participated in the clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – Janssen COVID-19 vaccines.

Before the vaccines became available here in Washington, USA, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices conducted a review to ensure they could safely recommend the vaccines and for the populations. In addition, the western states Scientific Safety Review Workgroup gave input on vaccine safety and efficacy. Both groups voted to recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 12 years of age and older and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – Janssen COVID-19 vaccines for people 18 years and older. You can read the findings of the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (PDF)
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (PDF)
• Johnson & Johnson-Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (PDF)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will monitor information reported about possible adverse events related to the vaccines.

Common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects ,  mild or moderate and go away within a few days on their own. As shown in the results of clinical trials, more serious or long-lasting side TEMP effects are possible. Vaccines are continually monitored to detect adverse events.

Reported side effects  of COVID-19 vaccines has mostly been mild to moderate and has lasted no longer than  few days. Typical side -effect  include pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, and diarrhea. The chances of any of these side effects occurring after vaccination differ according to the specific vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines protect against only for  COVID-29 virus only, so it’s still important to keep yourself healthy and well.

Less common side effects

Upon receiving the vaccine, a person should be requested to stay for 15–30 minutes at the vaccination site, so health workers are available in case of any immediate reactions. Individuals should alert their local health providers following vaccination if they experience any unexpected side effects or other health events – such as side effects lasting more than three days. Less common side effects reported for some COVID-19 vaccines have included severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis; however, this reaction is extremely rare. 

National authorities and international bodies, including WHO, closely monitor any unexpected side effects following COVID-19 vaccine use.

Long-term side effects

Side effects usually occur within the first few days of getting a vaccine. Since the first mass vaccination program started in early December 2020, hundreds of millions of vaccine doses have been administered.

There have been concerns about COVID-19 vaccines making people sick with COVID-19. But none of the approved vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, which means that COVID-19 vaccines cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

After vaccination, it usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity against the COVID-19 virus that causes sickness. So it’s possible a person could be infected with these viruses just before or after vaccination and still get sick with  COVID-19. This is because the vaccine has not yet had enough time to provide protection.

Experiencing effects after getting vaccinated means the vaccine is working, and your immune system is responding as it should. Vaccines are safe, and getting vaccinated will help protect you against COVID-19.

Are Kids Safe to be Vaccinated?

According to CDC data,  COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for kids age of 12 and above. Like adults, children may have some side effects after the COVID-19 vaccination. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Children 12 years and older are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, including studies in children 12 years and older. 

Gita Bhattarai is the founder of Caring Worldwide. She is originally from Nepal and received her Bachelor's degree ( BSN) from California State University Los Angeles and studied Masters's ( MS) degree at Western Governors University, U.S.A... She has over 20 years of nursing experience in the health sector – in various roles, including Staff Nurse, Nurse Educator, Team Manager, Director, Supervisor. Currently, she works part-time at Ally Invest as an investor and manages Universal Health Partners PLLC and Caring Worldwide Health and Wellness Company. She brings her healthcare experience, financial expertise, and caretaker experience to Caring Worldwide to promote wellness globally.