Essential Information Regarding Covid-19 Vaccines

• The chances of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine (anaphylaxis) that leads to a dangerous drop in blood pressure or constriction of the airways leading to difficulty breathing are between 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 400,000, while the likelihood of severe thrombocytopenia and the occurrence of hemorrhaging is between 1 in 1,000,000 and 1 in 2,000,000, meaning the risks are much lower than the chance of contracting Covid-19.
• There are two ways to develop immunity to Covid-19: by allowing yourself to contract the disease which places your life at risk in the process, or by receiving a vaccine.
• Patients with underlying health conditions, partial or full paralysis, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, immune system disorders, or immunodeficiencies have no medical reason not to receive the vaccine.

December 2019 marked the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei, China. We are still seeing the effects of the outbreak throughout the world today, with the ongoing struggle to contain and destroy the virus representing a major biological event.

The virus is spread among humans via germs contained in droplets of sputum, while its symptoms generally present themselves within 5 days of an infection or within 2–14 days of contact. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, exhaustion, breathing difficulties, aches and pains, joint pain, sore throat, headaches, and cold shivers. However, complications associated with such symptoms may include pneumonia, acute breathing difficulties, and loss of life. As there is currently no known cure for the virus, treatment is focused on relieving or easing symptoms. The government strongly advises citizens to practice the following preventive measures to stem the spread of Covid-19: wash your hands regularly, practice social distancing (especially regarding infected patients), monitor yourself for symptoms, and self-quarantine for at least 14 days if you suspect you may have come into contact with the disease.

• Sinovac: Inactivated coronaviruses can no longer replicate, but their proteins, including spikes, remain intact prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
• AstraZeneca: Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver genetic materials of coronaviruses to our cells, prompting the production of antibodies.
• J&J: Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver genetic materials of coronaviruses to our cells, prompting the production of antibodies.
• Sputnik V: Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver genetic materials of coronaviruses to our cells, prompting the production of antibodies.
• Pfizer: mRNA vaccines in lipid nanoparticles rely on the delivery of mRNA into the cytoplasm of host cells, where it can be transcribed into antigenic proteins to trigger the production of neutralizing antibodies.
• Moderna: mRNA vaccines in lipid nanoparticles rely on the delivery of mRNA into the cytoplasm of host cells, where it can be transcribed into antigenic proteins to trigger the production of neutralizing antibodies.

• A history of severe allergies to any of the ingredients found in the vaccine or a severe allergic reaction following the first shot, such as a shortness of breath, facial swelling, swelling of the tongue, or respiratory problems.
• A fever of over 38° Celsius on the day of the vaccination.
• Any bruising, blood spots, or irregular bleeding, as well as the use of any anticoagulant medication such as Warfarin.
• A weakened immunity or the use of any immunosuppressant drugs, including steroids and chemotherapy medication.
• A pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Any side effects resulting from the first vaccine shot.
• Having undergone blood, plasma, or blood compound transfusions, or having taken any antiviral drugs or immunoglobulin medication used to treat COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
• Underlying health conditions that are uncontrollable, such as tightness in the chest, breathlessness, shortness of breath, palpitations, etc., as well as suffering from neurological disorders.
• A positive COVID-19 test within the last 10 days.
• Any acute illness symptoms or an illness that required a hospital stay within the last 14 days.

Essential information regarding potential Covid-19 vaccine side effects

• Some side effects, such as a low fever, pain, and inflammation, are reported in less than 10% of cases, although these are entirely normal and signal that the body is reacting to the vaccine.
• None of these vaccines increase the likelihood of stroke, coronary artery disease, venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism, meaning that patients with a history of associated disorders, including partial or full paralysis, ischemic heart disease, or thrombosis, may receive the vaccine.
• The vaccine does not increase the chances of developing general forms of thrombosis but can cause special types of thrombosis which are treatable. Note that these have not been found in Thai people. However, there is a 1 in 10 chance of developing thrombosis following a COVID-19 infection and these forms are often serious.
• For those who are afraid of receiving the Sinovac vaccine due to fears of partial or full paralysis, data from thoroughly detailed studies carried out in the Neurology Department of Chulalongkorn Hospital involving MRI, MRA and SPECT imaging found that stroke was not the cause of such occurrences. Instead, they found that the symptoms could be put down to peripheral vasospasms, which can be treated with vasodilators. Such treatment enables a full recovery for patients experiencing numbness or severe muscle weakness. The chances of vasospasm occurrence was found to be only 3 in every 10,000 cases.
• Cases of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) that have been reported following AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson vaccines were found to be as low as between 1 in 100,000 and 1 in 500,000. Fortunately, this condition can be diagnosed and treated with medication already available in Thailand so, while there is a chance of the condition occurring, treatment is also widely available.
• Each vaccine carries with it its own set of potential side effects, but the likelihood of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure or acute tracheal obstruction are between 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 400,000 cases. Additionally, the chances of thrombocytopenia and hemorrhaging are between 1 in 1,000,000 and 1 in 2,000,000, meaning the risks are much lower than the chances of contracting COVID-19.
• Rumors circulating about deaths following a COVID-19 vaccine have neither been corroborated nor shown to be a direct result of the vaccine.
• There is no medical reason why patients with congenital health conditions, partial or full paralysis, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, weakened immune systems, or immunodeficiencies cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

There are bound to be many of you asking yourselves when we in Thailand will ultimately overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. The answer is when more than 70% of the population have immunity to the virus. It is therefore important to note that there are only two ways to build immunity: by allowing yourself to contract the disease but placing your life at risk in the process, or by receiving a vaccine. Receiving a vaccine really is the best option we currently have available to ensure we eradicate the virus and its impact on society (information correct as of May 20, 2021).

Click here to read the latest news regarding COVID-19.