Why do some people experience side effects after their second Pfizer and Moderna shot? UCSF doctor explains

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – As more people are eligible to be vaccinated, side effects reports appear after the second Pfizer and Moderna shots.

Dr. Robert Wachter, head of medicine at UCSF, says many of these side effects can last two to three days. Dr. Wachter says side effects after the second shot are more common because the immune response to the second shot is even stronger than the reaction to the first shot.

Luz Pena: “Isn’t it bad to have side effects?”

Dr. Wachter: “No, it’s not. The way I think about it is a sign that it works. Which, of course, is a little funky once you say people say ‘Oh, I did not have a side does it mean that it does not work? “The answer is: no. These two things seem to be true. The side effects are a sign that your body is producing its immune response. If you have no side effects, you should be happy, but the vaccine also seems to work in people who have not had any side effects. ‘

Pleasanton resident Will Anz received his second Pfizer shot on March 24 and experienced side effects a few hours after the vaccination.

“I play recreational hockey and I play goalie and I felt like I played 4 hockey games in a row. That’s how much my body aches. From my neck and shoulders to my ankles,” said Anz.

San Jose resident Anastasia is experiencing similar side effects after getting her second Pfizer shot on Thursday, April 15th.

Luz Pena: “How do you feel?”

Anastasia: “Feeling good. A little better than yesterday,” adding: “I just had a really hard night. I think I might have slept for an hour. I just swung and turned around because I was just a had full body and I still experience it today just to take Tylenol and chew here and there. “

Dr. Wachter says body aches, mild fever and chills are a sign that your body has an immune response.

Luz Pena: “Why do women and younger people have more side effects than older people?”

Dr. Wachter: “The younger is easier than the women. The answer to women, I do not think I know, and I do not think we know. The answer to older than younger is younger people have a stronger, more exuberant immune system. “The vaccine can therefore cause the immunogenicity. It means that your immune system reacts and that you have a stronger immune system that you do when you are younger.”

Another side effect is insomnia. “I heard about it. If the system is adjusted, it can happen,” said Dr. Wachter said.

Many pointed out that they felt the side effects of the vaccine 10-12 hours after the second shot.

“It’s basically a code that causes your body to start producing the peak protein, after which your body starts saying, ‘this is weird, I’ve never seen it before I’ll develop antibodies against it. “It just takes a little time. The whole manufacturing process works,” Dr. Wachter said.

What is the difference between a normal reaction to the vaccine and a reaction you need to worry about? Dr. Wachter says it’s all about timing. A bad reaction or an allergy occurs in the first 15-20 minutes after you are vaccinated.

“It occurs in about 1 in 250,000 people and is easily treated,” said Dr. Wachter said.

Dr. Wachter recommends that you play your vaccination and do not use any anti-inflammatory medication before your shot. Only then if you need it.

“Like Advil or Aleve which is anti-inflammatory medicine. So the idea of ​​taking a medicine to reduce your body’s inflammatory system if you actually want your body’s inflammatory system to respond to the vaccine that is slightly obscure is to take some of the medicine before the shot. ‘

Even after two to three days of unrest, many who received the second Pfizer or Moderna shot agree on one thing.

“Small, small price to pay compared to COVID. I want to encourage everyone to be vaccinated,” Anz said.