With Covid cases on the rise again as winter approaches, health officials widely encourage those eligible to get the recently updated booster shot as soon as possible.
“The revised boosters are similar to their now-retired predecessors, which were first made available about a year ago,” explains American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
“However, instead of delivering a single set of instructions (called mRNA) that the body uses to build its own defence against the virus that causes Covid-19, they pass along two sets: one specific to the original strain of the coronavirus and one specific to subvariants of omicron.”
A few reports have stated vertigo may be a possible side effect from these boosters.
Some adverse events may be reported after being vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has compiled a list.
Symptoms reported include injection site pain and swelling, chills and mild fever, fatigue, headache and sore muscles or joints.
Some people obtaining Covid vaccines have complained of dizziness.
Dizziness may also be called vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope or light-headedness.
According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) - a safety programme run by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration in the US - around 11.8% of people have reported dizziness as a possible side effect, with vertigo and fainting also documented.
Is vertigo a Covid vaccine side effect?
In a small study published in Frontiers, acute vertigo after Covid-19 vaccination was analysed.
The research was conducted between May and July 2021 evaluating 33 patients suffering from “acute vertigo” post-Covid vaccination.
“Symptoms included 16 patients (48.5%) with objective vertigo, 14 patients (42.4%) with subjective vertigo, and three patients (9.1%) with dizziness,” noted the study
It added that “due to the small sample size, a definite cause–effect relationship between vaccination and vertigo cannot be inferred".
“In light of expected third dose, large-scale and well-designed studies are needed to better define possible adverse reactions of the Covid-19 vaccine,” the researchers added.
Dr Allison Arwady answered questions regarding the booster shot during a Facebook Live.
When it came to vertigo being a possible side effect, she said that it's unlikely.
“As people get older, they are less likely to have side effects,” she explained.
“As they have had vaccines before, they're less likely to have side effects and if you have a side effect, it sometimes is not that comfortable for a day or two, but know that you have a really strong immune system, generally a really robust immune response, and it suggests a good level of protection as well."
Dr Amir Khan appeared on Good Morning Britain and said: “The vast amount of the booster jabs is the Pfizer vaccine similar to what you would have had with your first and second jab.
“Side effects from the vaccines include mild ones such as sore arm, headache and a fever.
“It’s not unusual to get side effects from any vaccines.”
When it came to methods to help combat these side effects, Dr Khan advises “rest, paracetamol and fluids is the way forward”.
Yellow card scheme
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) requests that all suspected side effects to Covid-19 vaccines are reported via the dedicated coronavirus Yellow Card site.
The purpose of the Yellow Card Scheme is to provide early warning that the safety profile of a product requires further investigation.
Other minor side effects reported from the Covid vaccine include aches and chills, diarrhoea, nausea, drowsiness or a rash.
Anyone who may suspect they are suffering from a side effect caused by the vaccine should monitor their symptoms and discuss with their GP if they require further treatment.
However, medical experts agree that the benefits of having the booster vaccine vastly outweigh the small risk in getting jabbed.
According to the NHS, getting vaccinated reduces the risk of getting seriously ill - or dying - from Covid, reduces the risk of catching or spreading the virus, and protects against known Covid variants.
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