On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) listed new side effects of the Novavax, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines against Covid-19.
For Novavax, it includes anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) and reduced skin sensitivity, while excessive swelling at the injection site was registered for the Moderna shots.
Regarding this swelling, the EMA does not specify whether it is a common side effect or not. However, it states that no treatment is necessary and that the swelling disappears spontaneously after a few days. The Moderna vaccine has been widely used in the Belgian vaccination campaign.
The vaccine developed by Novavax, on the other hand, may cause a loss of skin sensitivity or an unpleasant sensation of irritation, stinging or burning at the injection site.
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The agency recommends that a second dose of the shot should not be given to people who have reacted violently to a first injection. This information caused Novavax shares to fall by more than 20% on the Wall Street stock exchange.
For AstraZeneca's vaccine, tinnitus was included in the list of side effects mentioned in the vaccine's package insert. Tinnitus occurred in less than 1% of people vaccinated with the shot. Skin discomfort similar to that experienced with the Novavax vaccine was also observed in less than one in 100 vaccinees.
The EMA continuously monitors potential side effects of coronavirus vaccines and regularly updates its list.
