The Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, Dr Norman Matara has warned the citizenry to expect more side effects when they get second jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Matara said there was no need to panic as that is a common phenomenon that suggests that one’s body is producing more antibodies. He tweeted this Thursday:
The 2nd doses of the vaccine in Zim are due today for some people. The 2nd dose usually triggers a faster and stronger immune response. Expect more side effects than the 1st dose. If this happens, it’s actually a good thing. Shows the body is producing more antibodies Musazoti 666 yatanga (when you see that happening, don’t speculate that 666 [satanism] has begun)
Common side effects to expect include muscle aches and pains, headaches, fever, fatigue, and chills. Roughly 40-50% people will experience this. No matter how severe the symptoms are, they are self-limiting. They do go away within days.
Zimbabwe took delivery of the second batch of Chinese-manufactured COVID-19 vaccines – Sinopharm and Sinovac- that is meant to kickstart the second rollout of the vaccination programme.
According to the Minister of Health and Child Care, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the second rollout will also target the education and religious sectors following the reopening of schools for examination classes and the authorisation of religious groups.
Dr. Matara’s remarks come as some have been sceptical of the COVID-19 vaccines at the backdrop of conspiracy theories that suggest that the vaccines were produced to depopulate Africa.
Others are just afraid that since the COVID-19 vaccines were not tried and tested over a long period of time, as required, and since their efficacy is not known, they might have huge or more than expected side effects.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ World Health Organisation (WHO) is adamant that the vaccines are safe and so far have not produced any side effects to warranty their suspension.
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