Ladies, have you gotten the third dose of the COVID vaccine (booster)? If you haven't, let's hurry up! The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia recommends that Indonesian citizens over the age of 18 receive a third dose of vaccination (booster), especially for the elderly and immunocompromised patients.
While primary vaccination (first and second doses) has been able to reduce patient numbers, hospital occupancy rates, and death rates from COVID, people can still be exposed to COVID given the decline in antibodies six months after receiving the full primary vaccination. dose of vaccination. Giving booster vaccines can increase individual protection against viruses, especially in vulnerable groups of people.
What are the side effects of the booster vaccine?
The side effects of booster vaccines are varied, some feel it for a few days after the injection, but some get no side effects at all. In principle, the vaccine formula injected at the third dose is the same as the formula used in the primary vaccination. So that the side effects that can occur will not be much different. Are as follows:
- Pain at the injection point
- Feeling tired and weak
- A fever
- Muscle aches and pains
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
How Long Do Booster Vaccine Side Effects Last?
As with the first and second doses of vaccination, you'll probably be fine once you get a booster shot. Side effects usually occur a few hours after or the next day.
These side effects can last up to 48-72 hours. Muscle aches and pains are the side effects that are felt most quickly, namely one hour after the injection. The severity of the side effects is influenced by a person's immune condition.
Are There Long-Term Effects of the Booster Vaccine?
According to recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no reports of long-term side effects after receiving the third dose of the COVID vaccine. Keep in mind that side effects that last only three days are a very cheap price compared to the cost of hospitalization due to complications from the COVID virus itself.
What can be done to alleviate the side effects that occur?
In general, people who are vaccinated are advised to drink large amounts of water and keep it up until after that. You can also use ice or a wet towel to relieve the pain at the injection point. Medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be an option to relieve the symptoms of side effects that occur.
While there are rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the cardiac output) that occur after a person receives a second vaccine, the health authority emphasizes that the health benefits offered by a range of vaccination programs far outweigh all of the known potential risks. So do not hesitate to complete your vaccination until the third dose, Ladies.
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Sources:
Benton, E. (2021). These Are The COVID Vaccine Booster Shot Side Effects You Might Experience (If Any!). Women's Health. [online]. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a38518074/covid-vaccine-booster-shot-side-effects/
Humas Kemenkes. (2022). Kemenkes Terbitkan Edaran Pelaksanaan Vaksinasi Booster. Kemenpanrb RI. [online]. https://menpan.go.id/site/berita-terkini/kemenkes-terbitkan-edaran-pelaksanaan-vaksinasi-booster