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Seek medical advice if post-booster symptoms last 48 hrs

13 Dec 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Pointing out that it is normal for someone to have symptoms similar to those of Covid-19 after receiving the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or the booster shot, the Health Ministry has stated, however, that if such symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, such individuals should seek medical advice. The Head of the Ministry’s integrated home-based healthcare programme for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic Covid-19 patients, consultant family physician Dr. Malkanthi Galhena recently stated that people receiving the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine may experience symptoms similar to Covid-19 symptoms such as mild fever, cough, headaches, and body pains. Accordingly, when contacted by The Morning, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that people who are receiving the Covid-19 vaccine third dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) may develop mild Covid-19 symptoms. However, he said that if the symptoms do not go away within 48 hours, it is important that such individuals seek medical advice. “When considering the Covid-19 infection, it is a reaction that occurs when the virus enters the body, and a similar reaction occurs when the Covid-19 vaccine is given, but the reaction following the receipt of the vaccine is not going to be as serious as the Covid-19 infection. Symptoms that occur due to the vaccine usually go away quickly. Therefore, if someone has Covid-19 symptoms for more than 48 hours after obtaining the third dose, it is important that they seek medical advice,” he explained. Dr. Galhena told the media on Sunday (12) that people should not have undue fears about the mild Covid-19-like symptoms experienced after receiving the booster third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. “When you get the vaccine, you will develop some mild Covid-19-like symptoms. Developing these symptoms means that the jab is having a positive impact on the immune system,” she added. According to the data available on the Epidemiology Unit website, Sri Lanka, as of yesterday (13), has administered a total of 1,308,022 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses as the third dose of Covid-19 vaccines.


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