The COVID-19 vaccine can protect people from getting infected by the virus. However, the scientific examinations of the vaccine side effects show that many dangerous conditions could cause severe illnesses among the vaccinated people (Kleine-Tebbe et al., 2021). The author of the practical research points out that the most significant side effect of the vaccination is severe allergy among patients who have never experienced any other kind of allergy (Kleine-Tebbe et al., 2021). Therefore, the consequences of the vaccination can be unexpected, even for healthy people.
The intensive allergic reaction can even cause such a life-threatening process as anaphylaxis. Scientists stated that, according to the recent data, there is a high probability of anaphylaxis occurring after the first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (“Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis”, 2021). Anaphylaxis is a highly dangerous condition because it can cause a lack of oxygen which can provoke coronary heart disease or even more severe heart diseases (“Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis”, 2021). Therefore, even though medicine has found a way to fight the virus, there are many factors to consider when vaccinating patients to avoid negative consequences and reduce risks.
Significance of the Topic to Nursing Practice
Analyzing the negative side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine is relevant for the nursing practice in reducing the risks of patients experiencing allergic reactions and other negative consequences of the vaccination. The recent article where the authors analyze the vaccine structure states that it is hard to determine which particular element can cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis (Hamelmann et al., 2021). Thus, the vaccination can be dangerous for many people, especially for the ones with allergies. There is a possibility that the first dose of the vaccine will not harm the patient’s health. However, practice showed that the most dangerous side effects appear after the second dose and disturb mainly the heart and respiratory systems (Hamelmann et al., 2021). Therefore, medical organizations providing anti-COVID-19 vaccinations should scrutinize each patient’s situation and prescribe the vaccine only when there are no potential risks.
It is necessary to provide on-spot help to the patient who falls victim to the adverse side effects of the vaccine. In order to develop the healthcare services and continue vaccination aiming to the creation of COVID-19 immunity, the locations administering vaccines need to have the necessary equipment to help patients overcome all the consequences of the vaccine: from the high temperature to the life-threatening anaphylaxis (Hamelmann et al., 2021). The authors of the article suggest that immunotherapy injections should be free for people who have difficulties with vaccination (Hamelmann et al., 2021). The author also states that the doctors should monitor the patients’ state after being vaccinated for three months minimum (Kleine-Tebbe, 2021). Therefore, after-vaccination support is a crucial element of each medical organization’s services.
PICOT questions
- In adult patients with hypotension, what is the effect of the first dose COVID-19 vaccine on the heart work versus the second dose during a 2-week tracking period?
- In adult patients with allergy and hypertension after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, what is the effect of the hospital observation on the patients’ health versus outpatient observation during a 3-month tracking period?
- In adult patients with anaphylaxis, which appeared after the COVID-19 vaccination, what is the effect of the tracheostomy on the restoration of breathing versus intubation during the first hour after the adverse shock?
References
Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis after receipt of the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (2021). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 70, 46–51.
Hamelmann, E., Kleine-Tebbe1, J., Klimek, L., Pfaar, O., Taube, C., Wagenmann, M., Werfel, T., & Worm, M. (2021). Severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine: Statement and practical consequences. Allergologie Select, 5, 26–28. Web.