Common Vaccine Injuries You Should Know
Despite being responsible for wiping out some of the most menacing illnesses worldwide, vaccine injuries can occur on rare occasions. That being said, the United States (U.S.) government organized the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to provide settlements to people who have suffered injuries because of immunization.
If you’re on the fence about getting inoculated, remember that vaccines are by and large considered safe. But as with other medications, it can trigger severe reactions and possible health problems in some people. Find out more about the topic by reading the article below.
Usual Adverse Or Severe Patient Reactions To Vaccines
A life-threatening reaction to a vaccine is rare, although not impossible. If you or any of your family members have been recently injected with a vaccine dose, watch out for the following signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Confusion and dizziness
- Seizure
- Chest pain or tightness
- Rashes
- Serious eye infection
- Severe diarrhea
- A drop in blood pressure
- Swollen throat
- Fast heartbeat
In worst cases, vaccine injuries can send a person to the intensive care unit (ICU). Although rare, very few people develop Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). Some may be able to recover fully, but some are not as lucky. A small number of vaccinated individuals may succumb to respiratory failure caused by GBS.
Common Types Of Vaccine Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2006 to 2019, over 4 billion vaccine doses were administered to individuals across all ages in the U.S.
A small fraction of the inoculated population has filed complaints about vaccine injuries. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), more than half of them have been compensated for the suffering and damages they have incurred throughout the whole ordeal.
Vaccine injuries can take many forms and impact different parts of the body. Below are some of the reported health conditions caused by these medical preparations.
- Severe Allergic Reactions
Some people may suffer from mild to severe adverse reactions. Itching, hives, and soreness at the injection site are the most common signs. Severe allergic reactions could lead to an anaphylactic shock, which causes breathing difficulties and a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
- Shoulder Injuries
One of the more common vaccine injuries reported is those that impact the shoulder area. This health problem is also known as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The most common symptoms include shoulder pain and reduced functions of the shoulders and arms that last for more than two days following your shot.
If over-the-counter pain medications aren’t effective in relieving the pain and discomfort experienced, sufferers are highly advised to seek medical attention right away.
- Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders happen when your body’s immune system confuses healthy cells with a foreign object and starts attacking it. Some complaints forwarded to the VICP include autoimmune diseases such as:
- Brachial Neuritis: This illness affects the nerves the transport signals from the spinal cord and brain. A sufferer may feel a loss of function or pain in the chest and shoulder area, extending towards the arm and hand.
- Encephalitis: Refers to an inflammation in the brain triggered by either an autoimmune reaction or an infection. Symptoms include headache, seizures, and sensitivity to light.
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): GBS affects a person’s immune system, damaging some of the nerves. Some individuals who develop GBS after inoculation recover, while a small number of patients continue to suffer from muscle weakness and paralysis throughout their lives. Faster heart rates and breathing difficulties are also hallmark signs of GBS during the early stage.
- Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis: The rubella vaccine triggers chronic arthritis in some people, especially women.
- Transverse Myelitis: Like GBS, this is a rare condition that triggers inflammation in the spinal cord. People who suffer from this condition often experience loss of function and numbness in their limbs.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis: Myocarditis refers to an inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis affects the heart’s outer lining
Thus, it’s essential to keep your body healthy to strengthen the immune system apart from getting vaccinated. It also doesn’t hurt to practice minimum health standards at all times.
- Blood Disorder
A few people may develop blood issues that could impact different components of the blood. Vaccine-specific blood condition includes thrombocytopenic purpura, which occurs when the blood platelets drop below normal levels. As platelets regulate the bleeding process, this disorder often leads to bruising and heavy bleeding.
Final Thoughts
As with other pharmaceutical products, vaccines cause varied reactions to different people. Common reactions include pain and soreness on the injection site and fever. These symptoms often go away on their own after a few days. Suspect vaccine injuries if you don’t feel well long after getting a jab and contact your physician right away to maintain your overall optimum health.
This was it for today. Hope you have found the article helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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