Local Experts Inform Public About Common Vaccine Side Effects

With several million people already vaccinated, medical professionals want the public to know about the possible side effects that could happen in people getting the vaccine. 

DULUTH, Minn. – With several million people already vaccinated, medical professionals want the public to know about the possible side effects that could happen in people getting the vaccine.

Overall, side effects of the vaccines are mostly pretty mild. With two different vaccines being distributed in the U.S., symptoms from each have been similar so far.

Medical professionals are seeing fairly mild side effects after the first dose – a sore arm, feeling tired, chills, headache, muscle aches, along with nausea are the main symptoms. Some people may even experience a fever, but these reactions are normal and expected.

“The vaccine is encouraging your immune system to respond so you are symptomatic but technically not sick,” said Dr. Harmony Tyner, an infectious disease physician at St. Luke’s. “You’ll feel unwell but this is not something where you’re going to become progressively ill. This is your body responding in a way we’re actually happy about.”

People are sometimes experiencing more significant reactions after the second dose.

Medical professionals recommend using Tylenol or Ibuprofen to treat these symptoms. Older people are more likely to have these.

“The risks and the side effects of getting the vaccine are far less than the risks if you actually are exposed and develop the COVID-19 infection,” said Dawn Drotar, the chair of hospital services at Essentia in Duluth. “There’s no question about that.”

Experts suggest planning a couple of days off of work after getting the shot if you can in case you need some time to feel better.