Coronavirus vaccine: Does the vaccine still build immunity even if you don’t have side-effects?

The unusual side-effects of the coronavirus vaccine have been the hottest topic ever since the beginning of the vaccination drive. Fever, sore arms, headache and muscle pain are some of the symptoms that indicate that the shot is doing its job of producing antibodies against the virus. But not everyone witnesses these reactions after getting the jab, which has made people wonder if it meant their vaccine dose didn't work. While it is true that most people experience side effects after getting the vaccine, it is not mandatory in every case. The intensity of the after effects depends on several factors, including your age, type of the vaccine, whether you have had COVID, and others.

Covaxin and Covishield are two main vaccines being administered in India. The clinical trial of both these vaccines indicates that people may experience mild symptoms after getting the shot. Rare complications are witnessed only in a few cases. Headache, fatigue,

muscle or joint pain, fever, chills, and nausea are some common side-effects of Covishield. In rare cases, a person may experience hives, a rash, swelling, and respiratory symptoms.

The side-effects of Covaxin are also more or less similar to that of Covishield. Fever, headaches, irritability, pain, swelling, or both at the site of injection are some common reactions experienced after getting a jab. Severe allergic reactions, breathlessness and dizziness are infrequent.

Your age matters when it comes to the side effects of the vaccination. Studies suggest that people aged 30 to 44 are most likely to report side effects. Adults, older than 65 years experience fewer side effects overall. This does not mean that vaccines won't work well in older adults. The potential reason why younger people develop severe symptoms could be a stronger immune system. The COVID shot triggers an immune response, which can lead to side effects.

Data also suggests that vaccines tend to work differently across genders. Women tend to experience more intense side-effects as compared to men. The major reason behind this could be the presence of different hormones in the body.

Whether you develop any side effect after getting the shot or not, this factor does not determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. People respond differently to vaccines and it is completely normal even if you stay active and feel better after getting the shot. There are no reasons to believe that the vaccine is less effective.