Coronavirus vaccine: 5 side-effects doctors want to 'warn' the public about

The development of a COVID-19 vaccine has been highly unprecedented and sought-after cure to stopping the spread of the deadly pandemic.

While we have a lot of promising candidates ready to roll out vaccines in the earliest timeline possible, this is the first time that a vaccine for such a novel infection has been developed in such an accelerated manner. That also leaves space for a lot of side-effects we might be exposed to, once the vaccination drives start.

Even though no vaccines are side-effect free, and most vaccines we have right now are being considered safe and effective, doctors and drug companies are warning that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 isn't going to be a simple walk in the park.

Many people can be allergic to shots or have a higher risk of experiencing strange side-effects after receiving shots, which could scare them from getting additional shots, needed in the case of two-dose regimes with candidates like Pfizer and Moderna.

Participants who have volunteered for some of the leading vaccine trials right now have described undergoing somewhat mild, lingering, and in some cases, 'totally strange' side-effects.

If we want a vaccination program to be truly effective and protect billions at risk, we also need to be aware of the loopholes we have in front of us, prepare ourselves for it. After all, developing a vaccine is only one half of the struggle in rooting away the contagion.

Experiencing side-effects may be scary, but not extremely threatening. For one, a COVID-19 vaccine won't be approved for use if it carries potentially life-threatening complications. Second of all, side-effects are an example of our body overworking to produce a robust immune response.

We tell you about a few side-effects we must prepare ourselves about, and the ones doctors are the most worried for, right now:

One of the participants who was part of the Moderna trials detailed suffering from bone-breaking chills, and a fever that went upto 102 degrees Farhenheit a few hours after he was inoculated with the jab. However, he confirmed that the symptoms subsided a few hours after, on their own and required no additional medical assistance.

It should be noted that fever and chills are two of the most commonly reported side-effects with the Moderna vaccine. While they go away on their own, the intensity of pain can differ from person to person. A rise in inflammatory markers, when the body starts to produce antibodies may also cause a low-grade or high fever, accompanied by redness and swelling.

Another possible symptom we must prepare ourselves for is a headache. Again, a sign of the body's inflammatory response, headaches and mild pain can accompany a vaccine shot. Stress, irritability, drowsiness and other systematic reactions may also occur. Statistics also suggest that more than 50% of people who get vaccinated at any time, against any infection experience a mild, moderate level throbbing headache.

A vaccine shot may also induce effects on your gastrointestinal system. According to one volunteer, who was selected to receive the highest dose as part of Moderna's trials in May, vaccination left her feeling 'down and out' for many hours after getting the shot. Some of the symptoms she experienced post getting the shot include nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, fatigue. He also reported fainting post the symptoms, which may be one adverse reaction we should be careful about.

Experiencing soreness and muscle pain around the skin where the vaccine jab is injected is a common phenomenon. Redness, rashes can also be an immune response which your body generates. Right now, all three vaccine candidates in contention- Pfizer, Moderna as well as Oxford-Astrazeneca have recorded muscle pain and soreness as a reactive side-effect of their vaccines.

One-sided headaches and migraines may be the strangest symptoms volunteers have witnessed as part of the vaccine trials right now. According to reports, one of the volunteers, who was part of the Pfizer study reported feeling a debilitating migraine pain after vaccination that left her drained and without energy. She even suggested people be prepared to 'take a day off' or rest a while after getting the vaccine shot. For those who are prone to getting migraine attacks, vaccination may trigger it, cause pulsating pain and nausea.

Since this is a rare complication which has come out right now, it should be something we should warn ourselves about. It isn't clear whether migraine attacks are a mild, common or adverse reaction post vaccination.