Are there any side effects? What should I do if i suffer from any side effects?The vaccine has been assessed to be safe for use. However, you may experience some common side effects, similar to other vaccines. Most side effects are mild or moderate, and usually get better within a few days. The table below lists some common side effects that have been reported with this vaccine, and how to manage them.
Side Effects
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How to Manage | Pain, redness, swelling at the injection site
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Those with fever are advised to self-isolate at home until the fever subsides.
Take 1 - 2 tablets of Paracetemol for other side effects every 6 hours as required
| Fever, chills
| Headache, muscle pain, joint pain
| Tiredness
| Rest
| Lymph node swelling at neck or arms
| It will usually get better in a week or so
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See a doctor if:
- The side effects persist or get worse
- The fever persists for more than 48 hours (2 days)
- Respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or loss of sense of taste/smell develops
In very rare cases, this vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include: difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, throat, eyes or lips, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness or a bad rash all over your body.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. Call 995 or go to the nearest A&E immediately.
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How long do we have to observe and report the side effects from the vaccine? Which side effect takes the longest to manifest?Most side effects will resolve within three days. Though uncommon, lymphadenopathy (lymph node swelling) can be vaccine-related, and takes around 7 to 10 days to resolve.
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What is myocarditis & pericarditis? Can the vaccine lead to myocarditis and pericarditis?Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory conditions affecting the heart muscles and the outer lining of the heart respectively. Patients may present with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal heart beats. Local incidence rates remain low and the caess are usually mild and recover well.
As a precautionary measure, adolescents and men below 30 years of age are advised to avoid strenuous physical activities such as running, weightlifting, competitive sports, or playing ball games for one week after their first and second vaccination doses.
For more information on strenuous activities and the COVID-19 vaccination, please click here.
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Would there be post-vaccination monitoring in place, e.g. will some staff and residents continually be tested for COVID-19 virus antibodies, to determine durability of the vaccination response?As a condition for the interim authorisation under PSAR, vaccine companies including Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty are required to monitor the longer term efficacy of the vaccine to determine the duration of protection against COVID-19, as well as follow up on the safety of the vaccine for a longer period of time to determine its full safety profile. Vaccine companies must continue submitting the longer term follow up data to HSA to assure the continued effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. HSA will actively review the data to ensure that the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the known risks. When sufficient data is available for full registration, the companies will be required to file an application to transit the status of the product from PSAR interim authorisation to full registration.
Research studies will be conducted to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination, including the durability and the extent the vaccine is able to prevent transmission. Hence, vaccinated persons may be recruited for such studies.
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How soon after vaccination can I try to conceive? Can I be vaccinated if I am pregnant? If I have already received dose 1 of the vaccine, should I complete the course?Women who are planning a pregnancy can be vaccinated. Pregnant women (in any trimester) can be vaccinated.
Emerging observational data from vaccinated pregnant women and self-reported information do not flag up any safety signals. Based on the mechanism of action of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines and the demonstrated safety and efficacy in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials for the non-pregnant population, the safety and efficacy profile of the vaccine for pregnant individuals should be similar to that observed in non-pregnant individuals.
Prior to receiving the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, pregnant women should discuss the risks and benefits of the COVID-19 with their obstetricians. The vaccine may be administered in a hospital setting, arranged by their obstetricians.
The above also applies to women who find that they are pregnant after the first dose of the mRNA-based vaccine and are thinking of completing the second dose during the pregnancy. |
With COVID-19 vaccines deployed, is there still a need to practise safe-distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene if I am vaccinated?Clinical data on the duration of the vaccine’s protection and its effectiveness in preventing transmission is still being monitored. Until a significant proportion of the population is vaccinated, you will need to continue to practise public health measures, such as safe distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene, so that we can continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
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What sort of activities will vaccinated persons be allowed to do? Will they be exempted from measures such as pre-event and/or pre-departure/entry to Singapore testing? What about public health measures such as quarantine?While there is evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing symptomatic disease, the extent of their ability in preventing transmission to others is still being studied.
Vaccinated persons should still continue to adhere to public health and general safe management measures.
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Can I use the proof of vaccination for travel purposes? Will it be recognised by other countries?Jurisdictions have different travel restrictions and requirements, please verify jurisdictions’ restrictions and requirements before you travel.
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Will existing measures such as RRT, ARI testing and donning of PPE by staff still be required for those who are vaccinated?Public health measures, such as safe distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene, should continue to be practised. MOH will continue to assess the local situation in the review of the various public measures. Amongst others, this will take into account considerations such as the take-up of vaccine in the population, the availability of data on the vaccine’s duration of protection and the extent of its ability to prevent transmission.
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What happens if I develop an allergic reaction to my first dose?If you experience a possible allergic reaction to the first dose (e.g. eye or lip swelling, hives, generalised skin rashes, breathlessness), you should seek medical attention. If you have an allergic reaction to the first dose, you are advised not to take the second dose and should cancel the appointment for it. Fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, injection site pain are not allergic reactions. |