As roughly 2.2 million people in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana have received COVID-19 vaccinations, many wonder if they might experience side effects.
WCPO Viewer Kevin Kline reached out on Facebook to ask about the most common short-term reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Steve Feagins, medical director of Hamilton County Public Health and chief clinical officer at Mercy Health, said about 70% of vaccine recipients report pain at the injection site, similar to a flu vaccine. About one in five people may experience other minor side effects.
“You can have a fever, a high temperature or feel flushed. You can feel a little squeamish -- you can even be a little nauseated -- all of which are at about 15 to 20%,” he explained.
Those symptoms rarely last more than a day and a half, he said.
And for those still searching for a vaccine, last week’s viewer question came from a woman who was waiting to hear back about an appointment. Ann Shepard Rueve finally got the opportunity to get the shot at CVS.
Rueve said their website was easy to use and she found an appointment easily.
Her words to anyone searching in an eligible group: don't give up -- persistence is the key.
This month, WCPO 9 is taking your questions about COVID-19 vaccines and posing them to local health care experts. Email newsdesk@wcpo.com or message @KristynHartmanWCPO on Facebook with your name, neighborhood and question, and you could see an expert answer it on air.
