COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe. Almost all the ingredients of COVID vaccines are found in food items—fats, salts, and sugars. The piece of messenger RNA (mRNA) it contains is also harmless.

People should not take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine if they have a severe allergy to any of the vaccine’s ingredients, such as polyethylene glycol. If an individual suffers from a severe allergic reaction after the first dose, it is not recommended to get a second dose.

Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine’s ingredients here.

The first-ever COVID vaccine to get an EUA from the FDA, this injectable has a 95% efficacy, providing strong protection against the virus after two shots. Based on clinical trials, there had been no significant adverse effects on the volunteers who were able to receive the vaccine in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. The vaccine also works on most individuals, regardless of race, weight, and age. Despite this, the FDA only approves administration to people 16 years and older.

The most common side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that were reported were pain and discomfort at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, fever, chills, and joint pain. Most of the side effects resolve a day or two later.

Long-term side effects are possible with the COVID-19 vaccine but extremely unusual. The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.

Pfizer vaccine side effects are worse after the second shot because the immune system already recognizes the spike protein from the first dose, thus, it creates a stronger response to defend your body.

The side effects of the COVID-19 booster shot are not worse than the first two doses. They may be similar to what you have experienced or possibly even milder.

You should take the COVID-19 booster shot 5 months after the second Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose.

A second COVID-19 booster shot or a fourth COVID shot is not necessary because the booster shot (third COVID shot) is still quite effective against the existing COVID virus strains. The only people authorized to get a second booster shot or a fourth vaccine shot are those with weakened immune systems, those who are undergoing medical procedures and medication, and those with advanced or untreated HIV.

The difference between a booster shot and a regular COVID-19 shot is that the former is given to fully vaccinated people to help boost or increase the immunity they have as antibodies may possibly decline over time. The latter, on the other hand, is the initial dose to help the immune system learn to protect the body against the virus’s spike protein.

You can’t mix COVID-19 vaccines for the first two doses that you take primarily. However, for a booster dose, individuals aged 18 years and up may choose which vaccine they want to get. CDC recommends either Pfizer or Moderna for a booster shot.