With the creation of reliable, effective Covid-19 vaccines, the next hurdle in the US is building public confidence to increase the proportion of vaccinated adults. One concern for those with vaccine hesitancy is the potential side effects. Fortunately, a new study has found that aside from arm soreness, only a quarter of vaccine recipients report noticeable side effects. 

The researchers surveyed over 627,000 people in the UK who had received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. Even among the 25 percent who reported additional side effects, the most common were fatigue and headache and most lasted 24 hours or less. 

The researchers did note that among those who experienced side effects, more occurred after the second dose compared to the first. Those under the age of 55 and those who had previously had Covid-19 were also more susceptible to potential side effects. 

It’s understandable to be concerned about what we put in our bodies, but examining research regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines can help us all feel more comfortable about embracing this life-saving medical resource. If you or someone you know is concerned about Covid-19 vaccine side effects, hopefully this study will help put you at ease!