• 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?

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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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Employee

KEYWORD: Employee Wall of Fame – Celebrate uniqueness

In today’s competitive and fast-paced work environment, employee recognition plays a vital role in building a positive and productive workplace culture. While salary and benefits are important, appreciation and acknowledgment often have a deeper and longer-lasting impact on motivation.

An Employee Wall of Fame is a powerful yet simple initiative that celebrates individual contributions, highlights achievements and reinforces a culture of appreciation.

 

What Is an Employee Wall of Fame?

An Employee Wall of Fame is a recognition platform — physical or digital — that showcases employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance, creativity, teamwork or leadership.

It may include:

  • Employee photographs
     

  • Achievement descriptions
     

  • Monthly or quarterly awards
     

  • Customer appreciation highlights
     

  • Team milestones
     

This visible recognition fosters pride and belonging.

 

Why Celebrating Uniqueness Matters

Every employee brings distinct skills, experiences and perspectives to the organization. Recognizing uniqueness:

  • Encourages diversity
     

  • Builds confidence
     

  • Promotes innovation
     

  • Strengthens team cohesion
     

Appreciation creates an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

 

Benefits of an Employee Wall of Fame

1. Boosts Employee Morale

Public recognition reinforces positive behavior and motivates others to perform better.

Employees feel acknowledged for their hard work.

 

2. Enhances Productivity

When employees know their efforts are recognized, they are more likely to:

  • Stay engaged
     

  • Take initiative
     

  • Maintain consistent performance
     

Motivation translates into measurable productivity gains.

 

3. Strengthens Workplace Culture

Recognition fosters:

  • Respect
     

  • Team spirit
     

  • Healthy competition
     

A positive environment encourages long-term retention.

 

4. Encourages Continuous Improvement

Highlighting achievements sets performance benchmarks.

Employees strive to improve skills and meet high standards.

 

5. Improves Employee Retention

Feeling valued reduces turnover.

Recognition strengthens emotional connection with the organization.

 

Types of Employee Wall of Fame Models

Physical Recognition Board

Placed in office reception or common area.

Ideal for on-site teams.

 

Digital Wall of Fame

Hosted on company intranet or website.

Suitable for remote or hybrid teams.

 

Themed Recognition

Examples include:

  • Innovator of the Month
     

  • Team Player Award
     

  • Customer Champion
     

  • Wellness Ambassador
     

This allows diverse achievements to be celebrated.

 

How to Implement an Effective Wall of Fame

Define Clear Criteria

Establish transparent guidelines for selection.

 

Encourage Peer Nominations

Allow employees to nominate colleagues.

This increases participation and fairness.

 

Rotate Recognition Regularly

Monthly or quarterly updates maintain enthusiasm.

 

Share Stories

Include short narratives describing contributions.

Stories inspire others and personalize achievements.

 

Combine with Rewards

Certificates, small gifts or appreciation emails enhance impact.

 

Employee Recognition in the Indian Workplace

With evolving workplace dynamics in India, organizations are focusing more on employee engagement and cultural development.

Recognition programs like Employee Wall of Fame help companies build stronger employer branding and create motivating environments.

Such initiatives are particularly effective in fast-growing sectors such as healthcare, IT and startups.

 

Addressing Common Challenges

Avoid Bias

Use structured evaluation criteria.

Maintain Consistency

Ensure regular updates to sustain credibility.

Encourage Inclusivity

Recognize diverse roles, not just top performers.

 

Long-Term Impact on Organizations

Organizations that celebrate employee uniqueness often experience:

  • Higher engagement levels
     

  • Better teamwork
     

  • Increased innovation
     

  • Stronger organizational loyalty
     

Recognition transforms workplace dynamics positively.

 

Integrating Wall of Fame with Wellness Culture

Companies can align recognition with health and wellbeing initiatives, such as:

  • Fitness achievements
     

  • Community volunteering
     

  • Mental health advocacy
     

Celebrating holistic contributions promotes balanced development.

 

Conclusion

An Employee Wall of Fame is more than a decorative display — it is a strategic recognition tool that celebrates uniqueness and strengthens workplace culture.

By acknowledging achievements openly and consistently, organizations foster motivation, engagement and loyalty.

In an era where talent retention and employee satisfaction are critical, simple appreciation initiatives can create lasting impact.

Celebrating individuality is not just good for morale — it is essential for building resilient and high-performing teams.

Recognition inspires excellence, and excellence drives success.

 

References

  • World Health Organization – Healthy Workplace Framework
  • Harvard Business Review – Employee Recognition Research
  • Indian Journal of Occupational Health – Workplace Engagement Studies
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Recognition Reports
  • NITI Aayog – Workplace Wellness Strategies

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