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Published on: Nov 13, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

What Are Some Common Side Effects Of The COVID-19 Vaccine?

COVID Vaccine, the Pfizer update

On Monday Pfizer announced to the world the vaccine, once it has been developing with Germany's BioNTech, was found to be more than 90?fective. If this is substantiated, it may be possible for countries to receive the vaccine before the end of the year.

The Vaccine is an mRNA Vaccine, a novel method that introduces viral RNA into the body via a viral coat. The vaccine is incorporated into the person's cell, where the viral RNA is read and viral proteins are produced, including the coronavirus coat proteins. As the body reads and recognizes these proteins, it produces antibodies against these viral proteins and activates immune T cells against the virus.

The Pfizer results are based of a phase 3 clinical trial with 43, 538 participants with a diverse background. In this trial, the participants were split between those receiving a vaccine, and those who received a placebo with no effect. The vaccine is administered in two parts, with a 90?ficacy obtained 7 days after the second dose. This would mean a person is vaccinated just 28 days after the initial vaccination.

The FDA usually looks for a minimum 50?ficacy in vaccination when approving new vaccines. It may surprise you that the annual flu jab is also estimated to be 50?fective. The data from Pfizer was verified by an external, independent Data Monitoring Committee. It used data from 94 patients enrolled in the trial and subsequently developed COVID. It is from this groupset that 90% of efficacy is obtained. This is not the final data analysis, and further publications are expected in late November, with a potential FDA Emergency Use Authorisation approval if the data continues to show promise.

If approved, Pfizer has the ability to make 50 million shots before the end of the year, and 1.3 billion by the end of 2021. Many countries are clamoring for their fair share of these limited resources; the US has already negotiated 200m shots, UK 50m, and Germany (one of the major financers for the Pfizer vaccine) over 300m for European Countries.

We should emphasize that rapid vaccine development on this scale at this speed was unheard of prior to COVID. Usually, the animal studies for vaccines can take 1-2 years. In that time Pfizer and others have managed phase 1-3 clinical trials in humans, something that usually takes upwards of 10 years.

There are many unanswered questions that remain from this information.

How safe is the vaccine? Whilst safety information was not published, overall the vaccine appears to have minimal side effects. This is particularly difficult to state however since mRNA vaccines have never been used in people before.
Does the vaccine prevent transmission? In theory, yes. If you are immunized the replication of the virus should be limited significantly, so the number of viruses in each cough will be much lower. However, we do not have data to prove that there is no transmission, but that is also because we have very little data overall.
How long does the protection last? This is a very critical question. The 90?fectiveness rate was calculated just 7 days after the second shot, but it is likely this will change as data is collected over the long term. Some studies have suggested the antibody response fades within months following COVID infection. T Cell immunity on the other hand can stay for years, and it may be the effectiveness of creating a T cell immunity that dictates just how good this vaccine will be .

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Metabolic Health Improvement Tips: Practical Strategies for Long-Term Wellness

Metabolic health determines how effectively the body converts food into energy, regulates blood sugar and maintains healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. When metabolic processes function efficiently, individuals experience stable energy, healthy weight and reduced disease risk. However, poor metabolic health has become increasingly common due to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet and chronic stress. Understanding and applying metabolic health improvement tips can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hypertension are rising rapidly across India, even among younger adults.

What Is Metabolic Health?

Metabolic health refers to optimal functioning of:

blood sugar regulation
cholesterol levels
blood pressure
waist circumference
triglyceride levels

When these parameters remain within healthy ranges without medication, metabolic health is considered stable.

Why Metabolic Health Matters

Poor metabolic health increases risk of:

type 2 diabetes
heart disease
stroke
fatty liver disease

NITI Aayog reports that lifestyle-related metabolic conditions are a major contributor to India’s healthcare burden.

Early Signs of Poor Metabolic Health

Warning signs include:

abdominal fat gain
constant fatigue
sugar cravings
elevated fasting blood sugar
abnormal cholesterol levels

Early detection allows timely correction.

Top Metabolic Health Improvement Tips

1. Maintain a Balanced Diet

Nutrition is the foundation of metabolic health.

Focus on:

whole grains
vegetables
fruits
lean protein
healthy fats

Reduce:

refined sugar
processed foods
excessive salt

ICMR dietary guidelines emphasise balanced macronutrient intake for metabolic control.

2. Prioritise Protein Intake

Adequate protein:

stabilises blood sugar
reduces hunger
supports muscle mass

Muscle tissue improves insulin sensitivity.

3. Increase Fibre Consumption

Fibre slows glucose absorption and improves gut health.

Sources include:

legumes
oats
fruits
leafy vegetables

High-fibre diets reduce metabolic risk.

4. Engage in Regular Physical Activity

Exercise improves:

insulin sensitivity
blood circulation
weight control

WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly.

5. Strength Training for Better Metabolism

Building muscle mass increases resting metabolic rate.

Strength training:

enhances glucose utilisation
reduces fat accumulation

Even twice weekly sessions are beneficial.

6. Improve Sleep Quality

Poor sleep increases:

cortisol levels
insulin resistance
appetite hormones

Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep daily.

7. Manage Stress Effectively

Chronic stress disrupts:

blood sugar control
fat storage
appetite regulation

Stress reduction techniques improve hormonal balance.

8. Stay Hydrated

Water supports:

digestion
nutrient transport
metabolic reactions

Even mild dehydration affects metabolic efficiency.

9. Avoid Excessive Sugar Intake

High sugar consumption leads to:

insulin spikes
fat storage
metabolic fatigue

Limiting sugary drinks and snacks is critical.

10. Monitor Health Parameters Regularly

Preventive health checkups help track:

fasting blood glucose
HbA1c
lipid profile
blood pressure

Early intervention prevents complications.

Role of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive screening identifies:

prediabetes
early hypertension
cholesterol abnormalities

Lancet research shows early metabolic correction reduces long-term disease risk.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Metabolism in India

Urbanisation has increased:

sedentary behaviour
processed food consumption
irregular eating patterns

Addressing these factors is key to improving metabolic outcomes.

Importance of Abdominal Fat Monitoring

Central obesity is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome.

Waist circumference is an important indicator of metabolic risk.

Building Sustainable Metabolic Health

Long-term success depends on:

consistency
gradual improvement
realistic goals

Extreme dieting often backfires.

Benefits of Improved Metabolic Health

Stable metabolism leads to:

sustained energy
improved mood
better cardiovascular health
reduced medication dependence

Preventive lifestyle changes deliver long-term dividends.

Conclusion

Applying practical metabolic health improvement tips can transform long-term wellbeing. Balanced nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, stress management and routine screening together strengthen metabolic stability. With rising metabolic disorders across India, prioritising metabolic health is no longer optional—it is essential. Small, consistent lifestyle changes today can prevent major health complications tomorrow.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Dietary and Metabolic Health Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Diabetes and Hypertension Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Metabolic Syndrome and Lifestyle Risk
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Non-Communicable Diseases Reports
Lancet – Metabolic Health and Chronic Disease Studies

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