Before issuing EUAs (Emergency Use Authorization) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the FDA reviewed the available data from ongoing clinical trials.
Pfizer-BioNTech submitted data for people 16 years and older, while Moderna submitted findings for people 18 years and older.
The most common reported side effect following vaccination is pain at the injection site.
Some vaccine recipients also developed short-lived flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
Swollen lymph nodes have also been reported. These can appear as a lump in the armpit, which has worried some women who thought it could be a sign of breast cancer.
Trial data has shown that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19, while two doses of the Moderna vaccine are 94 percent effective.
The trials have also found that both vaccines are safe and generally well tolerated.
“The side effect profile for both vaccines was very favorable,” Dr. Miriam Smith, the chief of infectious disease at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens, New York, told Healthline.
I – Word Understanding
Emergency Use Authorization – an authorization to use (vaccine/medicine) during a declared emergency, even without all the evidence to support effectiveness and safety.
This is based on some evidence and good judgement.
Lymph nodes – small bean-shaped structures that are parts of our immune system.
They contain white blood cells that help the body fight infections and diseases
Lump – a localized area of swelling that can occur anywhere on the body
II – Have Your Say
1. In general, how do you feel about vaccines? Do you get flu vaccine every year?
2. What are your concerns about the Covid-19 vaccines? Are you going to take it when your turn to get one comes?
3. Most countries have plans and priorities when it comes to Covid-19 vaccine roll-outs. What is your country’s plan: who will get it first and when do you think you can have it?
4. Should we vaccinate very old people and very young kids?
5. Have you ever heard of “vaccine shaming”? What do you think it means?
