FAQs regarding Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorized for those between 12 – 19 as the first/second doses, and for all adults as the booster (third) dose.

Three months after you were vaccinated with the second doses of whichever vaccine, you are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster.

Yes, if you have completed 3 months after taking the second dose and had symptomatic infection, you need to get the booster vaccine one month after the infection. If you were not symptomatic, you can get the booster vaccine as soon as you complete 3 months from the second dose.

As for any drug or vaccine, you may experience side effects following the vaccine. They are, however, usually mild.

The Common side effects include:

At the site of injection:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

Systemic reactions:

• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea

These side effects mean that the vaccine is working inside your body, and it is developing immunity against the virus.

Some people will not experience any side effects. In most people they will subside within a few days. It is rare to have long term side effects for COVID-19 vaccines. Allergic reactions for these vaccines are also rare.

The latest research evidence suggests that the couples who got the vaccine has normal rates of conception while males who were infected within 2 months are more likely to experience temporary lower rates of conception.

There is no proven risk in exercising after the vaccine. However, as the other side-effects like tiredness and muscle pain can be worsened by vigorous exercise, it is better to postpone vigorous exercises and sports up to 3-5 days until you find out how your body is responding to the vaccine.

However, being fully vaccinated will be helpful for you to participate in sporting events in the long term.

Research evidence suggests that the vaccine is extremely efficient in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

The Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine contains modified mRNA that can stimulate the body to produce antibodies against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. It cannot change your genetic sequencing in anyway. It also does not contain any metals, micro-electronics, electrodes, nano technological devices or any device that can control your body.

The vaccines have been developed in a scientific way and tested for safety and efficacy in clinical trials and approved by the WHO for emergency use.

For now, we do not know how long the COVID-19 vaccine protection lasts. However, studies show that the protection against the virus will decrease over time. Nevertheless, vaccination is important as it protects you from having severe disease, reduces risk of hospitalization and death with different variants of the virus.

Yes, you should get it because vaccination reduces the risk of transmission, risk of severe disease and death. Even if you are fit, you may transmit the virus to young children in your family who are unable to get the vaccine, or older persons who may be at high risk. So it is our social responsibility to get the booster in order to protect ourselves and those around us.