Precautions after getting the vaccine

June 25, 2021

Hokesen Letter, No 219 (English ver.)
Health Care Center, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Yasuhiro Yamauchi, MD, PhD

Vaccines are slowly being made available all over Japan making it easier to get vaccinated. The vaccine (mRNA vaccine) we will be using is different from the one usually used and is known for the frequency in which side effects appear. Side effects to be noted are anaphylactic shocks and other symptoms that might appear one day after getting vaccinated.

About the side effects of the vaccine

  • Local symptoms: pain, swelling, induration and redness on the injection site; pain, swelling and tenderness on the axillary lymph node of the injected arm.
    About 90 percent of those who get vaccinated get some type of the above symptoms on the site of injection. Symptoms seem to increase for the second shot. Usually, symptoms appear one or two days after getting the vaccines, however, they can rarely appear up to one week after vaccination.
  • Systemic symptoms: fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, shivering.
    For the first injection, about 50 percent get some of the mentioned systemic symptoms. The number of people who experience these types of symptoms increases to 80 percent for the second injection. Symptoms seem to be more severe when you get the second shot. Usually, symptoms appear one or two days after getting the vaccines, however, they can rarely appear up to one week after vaccination. Most systemic symptoms are mild and usually disappear after 2-3 days. However, should you get severe symptoms like high fever or convulsions get in touch with your doctor immediately. Further, the symptoms seem to be more likely to appear on non elderly people and women.

The symptoms mentioned above are not all the symptoms that you may get. After getting vaccinated, be extra careful of how you feel and get in touch with a doctor should you notice something out of the ordinary.

(Abstract taken from the PMDA)

Information Counters

If you see any side-effect like symptoms after getting the vaccine, please contact your doctor. If you do not have a doctor you can go to, please check the site below if you live within Tokyo city.
https://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq13/qqport/tomintop/

Check below should you wish to contact professional health care providers after experiencing side effects.

Tokyo Center for Covid Vaccines Side Effects:
Telephone 03-6258-5802
Available 24 hours
Available languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Nepali, Burmese, Thai, French, Spanish and Portuguese
https://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/iryo/kansen/coronavaccine/for_tomin.html

If you live outside Tokyo, check your municipality’s services and get in touch with those in charge to consult about your symptoms.

※Relief System for Injury to Health with Vaccination will be given to those who see their health compromised after getting vaccinated. Consult your municipality,

Health Care Center at TUFS will not provide you any fever medication for the side effects of vaccination.
Please consider using on-the-counter medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen, if your condition is mild.

References:


Please contact the Health Care Center should you have any further concerns.

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