Although today’s total is less than half the population size, there have been concerns over the side effects of the vaccine. However, Dr. Piriton is keen to allay such concerns.
“All medical treatment has side effects, so when a doctor is writing a prescription to a patient there are two things the doctor always puts into consideration,” says Dr. Piriton. “These are the effects of the drug and the benefits of the drug. If the side effects or the effects of the drug outweigh the benefits of the drug to a patient, then a doctor does not prescribe that. However, if the benefits of a drug outweigh the risks or side effects, of the doctor will prescribe the drug for that very reason.”
Dr. Piriton is adamant, though, that side effects are part of any treatment.
“Mostly even a mere Panadol we take has side effects. It gives you nausea and abdominal discomfort because it is taken orally. Secondly, like any other medical treatment, the Covid vaccine has side effects but not that it can cause infertility. Its side effects include high temperature; you can feel feverish and have chills. You can also get fatigue or tiredness, and muscle pain,” he says.
Adding, “You can get site infection especially if those administering the injection didn’t use a good antiseptic to clean the area before injecting. Another side effect is that it is painful because it is an injection and anything to do with an injection is painful, it is invasive. Also, I might add, injections also cause redness or swelling at the site of the injection. These are the common side effects, headache also. But these are temporary side effects. However, with regards to infertility, it is does not cause infertility. That is a public myth about it.”