Coronavirus: Why are side effects worse after the second jab of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Millions across the world have received their COVID-19 vaccine shots right now and experienced side effects too.

While many who receive their COVID-19 shots report feeling a little sick from the first shot, certain symptoms can also be expected after the second shot. However, post-vaccination side-effects after the second jab can be a little bit intense.

But why is that so? If it's the same dose that's being injected in your arm, what's making you feel terrible after the second shot? Is it normal?

We tell you about the phenomenon and what you can expect after getting the second shot.

It's routine to experience some side effects after getting the vaccine shot. From vaccine studies to accounts, everyone has heard of some reactions to expect after getting the shot. Fatigue, muscle pain, soreness, fever and a rash can be commonly experienced. These are usually taken to be typical signs that the vaccine has ticked off an immune response as it needed to. All of this is normal.

However, what many of us forget to take into account is that the timeline, of the onset of these side-effects, could also differ based on the shot you have taken. For the same reason, a lot of people recount experiencing 'milder' side-effects with the first shot and attest to feeling sick or down with the flu when the next shot is inoculated.

Most vaccines used around the world are two-dose regimes.

While the first shot teaches your body how to react to the virus, the second dose, which works to strengthen protection helps your body fully prevent it, meaning that the immune system tends to be more 'robust' when the second dose is delivered.

Put in simpler terms, when you get your second shot, the body has some antibodies and a memory of the spike protein from the first injection. Now, when the pathogen is traced again, the cells recognize it, launch stronger inflammatory reactions which come up in the form of 'flu-like' symptoms or side effects.

Many, who do not experience side-effects with the first shot may even get some with the second shot. But it usually tends to be stronger and more prevalent.

However, it shouldn't be a reason to worry. Not only are immune reactions normal, but clinical studies have also established stronger effects after the second shot.

Stronger side-effects could also mean that the cells are generating more antibodies to protect you, which is good news.

Pain at the site of injection, soreness, stiffness, mild fever could all be symptoms expected after the first shot of the vaccine. They are also usually the first signs of inflammation.

With the second shot, however, more profound side-effects could be experienced. Fatigue, tiredness, malaise may strike you. Many who have taken the second dose of the vaccine also attest to feeling drained and wanting to take a couple of days off.

Few have also reported experiencing nausea or vomiting after the second shot. Headache and chills can more likely strike up too.

It should be noted that allergic reactions and anaphylaxis could strike a person anytime after the dose, first or the second, which people should be careful of.

From what has been seen so far, younger people are more likely to experience side effects with the COVID vaccine.

Medical history, the type of vaccine you get and existing immunity could also ascertain the side effects you can get.

Similarly, it has also been observed that women could experience harsher symptoms than men post-vaccination.

Case studies and accounts suggest that side-effects could strike up a day or two after getting the jab and resolve on their own.

Most often, the symptoms go away on their own or require basic care. If they do not, talking to a doctor may help.

Side-effects with the jab have become a common topic of discussion. However, it should also be noted that not everybody will record reactions to the vaccine. It also doesn't mean that the vaccine isn't working.

Different immune systems react differently to vaccines and hence, side effects shouldn’t be the only thing you should be concerned about.