Covid-19 Vaccine Safety and Side Effects
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is a government organisation that is responsible for approving vaccines in Australia. Also, it works towards clarifying any doubts or uncertainties regarding the doses; it monitors the vaccination administration efficiently.
Are Covid-19 Vaccines safe?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) conducts a thorough process and approves the vaccines’ safety. Moreover, it evaluates the safety aspects of the vaccine by completing the following steps written below:
- They collect and report essential data on the vaccine’s side effects.
- They work with international regulators to discuss and share knowledge about the vaccine’s effectiveness and impact.
- They conduct vaccine trials and monitor safety.
- They check if each vaccine batch meets the established standards of quality.
If you have taken a Covid vaccine and have doubts or questions regarding the side effects, you can check the symptoms at the COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Checker.
Is it safe to take the Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy?
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has listed mandatory advice that pregnant women should follow while taking the vaccine:
- It should be pointed out that pregnant women are a high priority to receive the vaccination. Besides, they can take Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at any pregnancy stage.
- There is no need to delay vaccination if you have been attempting to get pregnant; you don’t need to avoid your chances of getting pregnant after vaccination.
- Real-world pieces of evidence and research suggest that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- If you cannot access Pfizer and Moderna, you can opt for AstraZeneca and Novovax vaccines during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You can also take them during the pregnancy planning process.
- Unfortunately, when you are pregnant, you have higher chances of becoming severely ill due to Covid-19; you also stand a chance of giving birth to a premature baby.
- However, Covid-19 vaccination helps to eliminate such risks by providing indirect protection to babies. Because when the mothers get vaccinated, the babies receive the antibodies through the placenta( during the process of pregnancy) and during breastfeeding.
Also, you can read more about pregnancy and breastfeeding women’s Covid vaccination in the COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
Moreover, even after vaccine approval, the TGA continues to monitor or track the effectiveness of the vaccine. Hence, it continues to oversee the vaccine’s nationwide impact and safety; so, if there is a health or safety risk in any scenario, it will inform all healthcare providers and communities all the earliest.
What are the side effects of Covid-19 vaccination?
After getting vaccinated, you may encounter mild side effects, which the TGA reports suggest is entirely normal. Also, most of the vaccine’s side effects diminish and go away after a couple of days. Moreover, AusVax has carefully tracked the vaccine side effects and generated timely post-vaccine data.
What is AuxVax?
AusVaxSafety is an organisation spearheaded by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Furthermore, it collaborates with research institutions, private enterprises, immunisation providers, state and territory governments and the Australian Department of Health.
Consequently, it has served to track, detect and respond to Australia’s vaccine safety, and it has provided recent data which suggests the following:
- Around 55 percent of people do not report side effects.
- Only 44 percent of people report particular side effects.
- Less than one percent of people reported seeing the Doctor or going to the emergency department after vaccination.
- AuxVax reports are relevant to the side effects that medical experts noticed during clinical trials and surveillance in several countries.
Therefore, you do not take anything as a precautionary measure before getting your vaccination. Also, you check the potential side effects for each vaccine below:
At the same time, if you have recently taken any vaccination and experiencing side effects but are unsure about your situation, call 1800 020 080. Also, you can check the side effect and symptoms.
When should you go to the Doctor?
Although the Covid-19 vaccination is safe and does not harm your health other than mild side effects, some people may have different reactions. If you encounter the below-mentioned reactions, immediately contact your GP or visit the emergency department.
Contact the Doctor in case of the following symptoms:
- If you face any severe or unexpected reactions.
- Shortness of breath
- Leg swelling
- Constant abdominal pain
- Persistent headaches, blurred vision and other neurological symptoms.
- Chest pains
- Tiny blood spots under the skin.
So, if the reactions concern you, you can report it to your GP or any health professional; you can read the details at reporting suspected side effects associated with a COVID-19 vaccine. Also, the government has set up a COVID-19 vaccine injury compensation scheme for those who have encountered major Cocid-19 related events.
