Expert explains immune responses to side effects of COVID-19 vaccine

When it comes to the coronavirus vaccine, some people say they're afraid to get the shot because of potential side effects. However, a doctor said side effects aren’t necessarily a bad thing.Dr. Jason Farley, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and nurse practitioner in the Division of Infectious Disease, emphasized that immune response is a good thing and indicates the vaccine is working. As more and more people get the vaccine, you might have heard people describe some side effects, not serious ones, but ones that should be generally expected, according to Farley.“So, your body is just showing you that it's reacting and it's growing, and it's building that antibody,” Farley said.That might include flu-like symptoms, like, a low-grade fever, body aches and headache.It could vary, but a new medical study out this week does indicate more intense side effects after the first dose or people who already had coronavirus prior to being vaccinated.“They've already started to develop an immune response and have some level of antibody based on prior exposure and infection,” Farley said.The study shows that the level of antibodies after that single dose in those cases were similar or even higher than people who got two doses, indicating a greater level of protection, but Farley warns about what the study doesn’t conclude.“But importantly, that does not mean that we do not need to receive two doses of the vaccine even if you've had prior infection of COVID,” he said.So, besides the study findings, what should most people expect after vaccination?Farley said the rule of thumb right now is that dose two is generally showing more side effects than dose one, and also, something interesting about side effects in older people versus younger people.“People who are older tend to be on the side with less side effects, and younger people that working well population are generally getting more of robust side effects. It probably has something to do with how intact the immune system is for younger people,” Farley said.And what if you don't experience any side effects after either dose?Farley said it does not mean your body isn't responding, “that could potentially be a normal response for you.Farley emphasizes that the potential for mild side effects shouldn't discourage people from being vaccinated and warns against the wait and see approach.“‘Let me see how my neighbors do, or how my family members do or let me see how those healthcare workers do.’ I would say to you that the more virus we have circulating in the community, the more opportunity we have to grow different variants,” Farley said.One other point Farley included was treating symptoms with something like Tylenol or Advil is just fine, but doctors don't recommend doing so before vaccination, just after, if needed.

BALTIMORE —

When it comes to the coronavirus vaccine, some people say they're afraid to get the shot because of potential side effects.

However, a doctor said side effects aren’t necessarily a bad thing.

Dr. Jason Farley, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and nurse practitioner in the Division of Infectious Disease, emphasized that immune response is a good thing and indicates the vaccine is working.

As more and more people get the vaccine, you might have heard people describe some side effects, not serious ones, but ones that should be generally expected, according to Farley.

“So, your body is just showing you that it's reacting and it's growing, and it's building that antibody,” Farley said.

That might include flu-like symptoms, like, a low-grade fever, body aches and headache.

It could vary, but a new medical study out this week does indicate more intense side effects after the first dose or people who already had coronavirus prior to being vaccinated.

“They've already started to develop an immune response and have some level of antibody based on prior exposure and infection,” Farley said.

The study shows that the level of antibodies after that single dose in those cases were similar or even higher than people who got two doses, indicating a greater level of protection, but Farley warns about what the study doesn’t conclude.

“But importantly, that does not mean that we do not need to receive two doses of the vaccine even if you've had prior infection of COVID,” he said.

So, besides the study findings, what should most people expect after vaccination?

Farley said the rule of thumb right now is that dose two is generally showing more side effects than dose one, and also, something interesting about side effects in older people versus younger people.

“People who are older tend to be on the side with less side effects, and younger people that working well population are generally getting more of robust side effects. It probably has something to do with how intact the immune system is for younger people,” Farley said.

And what if you don't experience any side effects after either dose?

Farley said it does not mean your body isn't responding, “that could potentially be a normal response for you.

Farley emphasizes that the potential for mild side effects shouldn't discourage people from being vaccinated and warns against the wait and see approach.

“‘Let me see how my neighbors do, or how my family members do or let me see how those healthcare workers do.’ I would say to you that the more virus we have circulating in the community, the more opportunity we have to grow different variants,” Farley said.

One other point Farley included was treating symptoms with something like Tylenol or Advil is just fine, but doctors don't recommend doing so before vaccination, just after, if needed.