The Covid-19 pandemic has been a disaster not just to people’s health but also the global healthcare system. However, the innovation of scientifically advanced nations has given us various Covid-19 vaccines which have significantly slowed down the chain of transmission. But can you still get infected with Covid-19 even after getting both vaccine doses? The Answer: Yes!
Covid-19 Vaccine Side Effects
First, let us understand the difference between side effects caused by vaccines and infection by the Covid-19 virus.
It doesn’t matter which vaccine you took, you may experience symptoms or side effects like:
- Pain, redness and swelling on the vaccine administered arm.
- Fever
- Chills
- Body pain
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness
- Headache
These signs usually subside in 2-3 days. On the other hand, infection by any strain of the Covid-19 virus can lead to symptoms like:
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Body pain, headache, muscle cramps
- Sore throat
- Skin rash or inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Loss of taste
- Severe symptoms can be shortness of breath or chest pain.
How to Differentiate Between Vaccine Side Effects & Covid-19 Symptoms?
Individuals who have taken one of both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine may experience any of the above symptoms. How can you identify what is what?
If you have taken one of both vaccine doses and experience signs like chills, body pain, muscle cramps, and tiredness, it is likely your body is reacting to the vaccine.
Please remember that the Covid-19 vaccines are active or inactive forms of the disease-causing virus. The m-RNA vaccine contains RNA strands of the virus and prompts your body to produce necessary antibodies. On the other hand, the viral vector vaccine utilizes a virus protein that acts as a substitute for the Covid-19 virus. It prompts a similar reaction in your body to produce T-lymphocytes to protect you from future infections.
What if you are infected from Covid-19 and it is not the vaccine making you sick? If symptoms like body pain, fever, chills persist 2-3 days after you have taken a vaccine, please check your oxygen saturation levels.
The CDC advises individuals to regularly monitor their oxygen saturation levels if they experience any of the above symptoms. Please visit your doctor if you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, loss of taste and severe weakness.
Why do People Get Infected Even After Getting Fully Vaccinated?
Does taking the Covid-19 vaccine completely protect you from the infection? No. The CDC, WHO, and all the major health bodies across the globe stress that no vaccine provides 100% protection.
You may get infected with the virus, even after getting the first dose or both the doses. The researchers at CDC call it the “breakthrough case.”
Covid-19 vaccines take 2 full weeks to show their effects. Scientists believe that individuals may already be carrying the virus, before or after they have taken the vaccine. The infection should not be associated with the vaccine.
On the other hand, new variants that are still emerging might cause infections, even in vaccinated individuals.
Why Should You Still Get Vaccinated?
You might be wondering, “How is a vaccine good if it cannot protect me against the infection?”. The UK, US, Australia, India and Canada have conducted studies on people who have got infected with Covid-19 after taking the vaccines.
The studies state that these individuals experience mild symptoms – 70% are less likely to get a fever, 50% are less likely to experience loss of taste and their oxygen levels are normal.
Two full doses of vaccine will protect you against severe symptoms and significantly reduce your chance of hospitalization. The CDC has conducted a dedicated study stating that the Covid-19 vaccine reduces risk of infection by 91% in fully vaccinated people.