COVID-19 vaccine can cause medical reactions and severe complications similar to other jabs, yet Vietnamese authorities have made necessary preparations to minimize these instances and handle any post-vaccination responses.

Similar to other types of vaccine and medicine, COVID-19 vaccines can have undesirable effects, including pain, swelling, redness at the injection site, malaise, fatigue, and loss of appetite, said Duong Thi Hong, deputy head of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and head of the national Expanded Program on Immunization.

Severe post-vaccination complications may include allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, or death, Hong added.

The World Health Organization reported on February 2 that common side effects caused by AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, namely headaches, nausea, muscle pain, joint pain, pain at the injection site, fatigue, malaise, and fever at over 38 degrees Celsius, may occur with an over 10 percent chance.

Swelling and redness at the injection site may occur with a one to less than 10 percent possibility.

Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Korea have recorded anaphylactic reactions caused by AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, Ha continued.

However, exact statistics have not yet been publicized as the vaccine has only been in circulation for a short period of time.  

Before being injected with a COVID-19 vaccine dose in Vietnam, people are required to provide their medical, allergy, vaccination, and medication history as well as current health status.

Health professionals in charge of carrying out COVID-19 vaccinations have been equipped with necessary skills to handle and monitor post-vaccination side effects.

All vaccination sites must meet strict standards on storing and preserving the jabs, include functional areas for reception, waiting, clinical screening, vaccination rooms, post-injection monitoring rooms, and anaphylactic treatment rooms with a one-way rule. 

They must also be equipped with anaphylactic treatment boxes and comply with epidemic prevention regulations.

Vietnam began COVID-19 vaccination on Monday, and by the end of Wednesday, 955 health workers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, and Gia Lai had been given the shots.

Among them, 14 suffered post-vaccination complications such as muscle aches, fatigue, fever, headaches, chills, pain and swelling at the injection site, and nausea.

These cases have been monitored and handled at the hospital.

All of them are now in stable health.

The Expanded Program on Immunization assessed that the COVID-19 immunization has been safe so far.

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