ARE you worried about coronavirus vaccine side effects?

It’s understandable to be concerned about something new but many vaccines have expected side effects, which are usually nothing to worry about.

But if you are concerned, don’t worry – anyone going to get the Covid vaccine will receive plenty of information from the NHS.

Even if you do get some side effects - and those listed here are only 'possible' effects – the NHS website states they will typically be quite mild and should pass within a week.

Other people will notice nothing at all.

Here though we run through the information given out to patients who receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus immunisation.

16 official Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine side effects

The following are listed under a section of a leaflet given to patients entitled ‘possible side effects’.

Very common – may affect more than 1 in 10 people:

  • tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling or bruising where the injection is given
  • generally feeling unwell
  • feeling tired (fatigue)
  • chills or feeling feverish
  • headache
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • joint pain or muscle ache

Common – may affect up to 1 in 10 people:

  • a lump at the injection site
  • fever
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills

Uncommon – may affect up to 1 in 100 people:

  • feeling dizzy
  • decreased appetite
  • abdominal pain
  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • excessive sweating, itchy skin or rash

The leaflet also states: “In clinical trials there were very rare reports of events associated with inflammation of the nervous system, which may cause numbness, pins and needles and/or loss of feeling.  However, it is not confirmed whether these events were due to the vaccine.”

What to do about vaccine side effects

The leaflet given out to those who receive the vaccine goes on to explain what you should do about any side effects.

It said: “If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet please inform your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.”

“If you are concerned about a side effect it can be reported directly by the coronavirus yellow card reporting site or search for MHRA yellow card in the Google play or Apple App Store and include the vaccine brand and batch/Lot number if available. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this vaccine.”

The NHS website states you can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you need to after the vaccine but if your symptoms get worse or you are worried, call 111.

Four other ‘warnings and precautions’ BEFORE getting the jab

The leaflet also includes four bullet points with crucial information for patients before they take the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination;

  • if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any other vaccine injection
  • if you currently have a severe infection with a high temperature (over 38°C) however a mild fever or infection like a cold are not reasons to delay vaccination
  • if you have a problem with bleeding or bruising or if you are taking a blood thinning medicine (anticoagulant)
  • if your immune system does not work properly (immunodeficiency) or if you are taking medicines that weaken the immune system (such as high-dose corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or cancer medicines)