Are there also serious side effects and long-term consequences?
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Serious side effects were observed only in isolated cases in the pivotal studies (e.g. cardiac arrhythmias in one person in the BioNTech/Pfizer study or facial nerve palsy in three cases in the Moderna study). However, whether there is a connection with the vaccination could not be determined, as such symptoms can also occur for other reasons.
Based on isolated reports, there is also a suspicion that people who have previously received dermafillers may experience facial swelling after receiving the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
Authorities closely monitor such cases even after hospitalization. In Germany, side effects can be reported via app.
Late effects and long-term effects: what’s the difference?
Due to the novelty of the vaccine, it is not yet known of possible late effects (i.e. side effects that start after a long time), but experts rate the likelihood of such risks as extremely low. Unlike medicines, vaccines are not given consistently over a long period of time and are therefore rapidly broken down by the body. Side effects therefore occur with vaccines after a few weeks at the latest – even in the past no late effects have ever been observed with a vaccine.
are to be distinguished from this long-term consequences, In other words, side effects that occur shortly after vaccination and last for a longer period of time. These effects would also be observed in the context of the approval studies.
How to evaluate allergic reactions?
Basically, in very rare cases, vaccination can lead to major allergic reactions. In the case of existing severe and life-threatening allergies, an individual medical evaluation should therefore be carried out to determine whether vaccination can be carried out and which vaccine is most suitable. As these allergic reactions occur in the first minutes after vaccination, medical follow-up is recommended in order to be able to react immediately if necessary.
Is vaccination dangerous for the seriously ill?
There have also been isolated cases of death, especially at the beginning of the vaccination campaign in the proximity of time to vaccination caused a stir. However, the investigation of these cases did not reveal any link to vaccination. Rather, the deaths could be attributed to the fact that, in the beginning, particularly elderly and seriously ill people were vaccinated, whose deaths occurred for other reasons. In principle, however, it cannot be ruled out that side effects such as fever or an allergic reaction can have serious consequences for extremely frail people and put a strain on the body – an individual assessment is therefore advisable.
Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle as a possible side effect?
In very rare cases, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and inflammation of the pericardium have occurred in connection with BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Corresponding cases were usually recorded three to four days after the first or second vaccination. Young men and women have been particularly affected. Because myocarditis and pericarditis occurred more frequently in people younger than 30 after vaccination with the Moderna vaccine, the Standing Vaccination Committee only recommends vaccinations with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for people in this age group and pregnant women. This recommendation also applies to the second and third vaccinations.
