The deployment of vaccines against COVID-19 has been an unmitigated success, hastening the end of restrictions in the UK and giving people back their crucial liberties. The data continues to attest to the benefits of getting vaccinated; while the caseload is still high, the NHS is not feeling the effects. However, there are serious side effects after receiving the coronavirus jabs, although they are an extremely rare occurrence and the risks posed by catching coronavirus far outweigh the risks of getting vaccinated.
Clinical trials are where a vaccine or medicine is tested on volunteers to make sure it works and is safe.
All vaccines used in the UK must be approved by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The MHRA makes sure the vaccines meet strict international standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.
Once a vaccine is approved, it’s closely monitored to continue to make sure it is safe and effective.
According to the NHS, the chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19.
“People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems,” explains the NHS.
Common long COVID symptoms include:
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Problems with memory and concentration (“brain fog”).
The long-term effects continue to be monitored and effective treatments are actively being explored.