• 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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How Weekly Onsite Yoga Benefits Corporate Wellness: A Preventive Approach to Workplace Health

How Weekly Onsite Yoga Benefits Corporate Wellness: A Preventive Approach to Workplace Health

Corporate wellness programs are evolving rapidly. Traditional initiatives such as annual health checkups and gym memberships are no longer sufficient to address modern workplace health challenges. Rising stress levels, sedentary routines and burnout have pushed organisations to adopt preventive, sustainable wellness strategies. One of the most effective among these is weekly onsite yoga.

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness highlights why this ancient practice has become a modern workplace necessity. Yoga addresses both physical and mental health, making it uniquely suited for today’s high-pressure corporate environments.

 

Why Corporate Wellness Needs Preventive Solutions

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and workplace health reports, lifestyle-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and mental health conditions are increasingly affecting working professionals.

Key workplace health challenges include:

  • prolonged sitting
     

  • poor posture
     

  • chronic stress
     

  • sleep disturbances
     

  • reduced physical activity
     

Preventive interventions are essential to reverse these trends before they result in chronic disease and productivity loss.

 

What Is Weekly Onsite Yoga?

Weekly onsite yoga involves structured yoga sessions conducted at the workplace by trained instructors. These sessions typically include:

  • stretching and mobility exercises
     

  • breathing techniques
     

  • simple yoga postures
     

  • relaxation and mindfulness practices
     

Sessions are designed to be inclusive, requiring no prior yoga experience.

 

Why Weekly Frequency Matters

Consistency is the foundation of wellness.

Weekly yoga sessions:

  • reinforce healthy habits
     

  • prevent accumulation of stress
     

  • support gradual physical improvement
     

  • encourage long-term participation
     

Unlike one-time workshops, weekly programs deliver sustained impact.

 

Physical Health Benefits of Onsite Yoga

Reduces Musculoskeletal Problems

Desk-based work often leads to back pain, neck stiffness and joint discomfort. Yoga improves:

  • posture
     

  • flexibility
     

  • muscle strength
     

This reduces work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

 

Improves Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

Regular yoga practice supports:

  • blood pressure regulation
     

  • improved circulation
     

  • better glucose control
     

WHO recognises yoga and similar mind-body practices as beneficial for lifestyle disease prevention.

 

Enhances Energy Levels

Yoga improves oxygenation and circulation, reducing fatigue and mid-day energy crashes.

 

Mental Health Benefits in the Workplace

Reduces Stress and Burnout

Yoga lowers cortisol levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.

This helps employees:

  • manage deadlines calmly
     

  • recover from mental fatigue
     

  • reduce anxiety
     

Improves Focus and Cognitive Performance

Breathing and mindfulness practices improve:

  • attention span
     

  • mental clarity
     

  • decision-making
     

Better focus directly translates into improved productivity.

 

Supports Emotional Wellbeing

Regular yoga enhances emotional regulation, reducing irritability and improving workplace relationships.

 

Impact on Productivity and Performance

Healthy employees perform better.

Weekly onsite yoga contributes to:

  • reduced absenteeism
     

  • fewer stress-related sick days
     

  • improved work engagement
     

  • sustained productivity
     

EY-FICCI corporate wellness studies show that preventive wellness programs deliver measurable performance benefits.

 

Role in Building a Wellness-Oriented Culture

Onsite yoga sends a strong message that employee wellbeing is a priority.

It helps organisations:

  • foster trust and engagement
     

  • encourage work-life balance
     

  • create a supportive environment
     

Wellness culture improves retention and employer branding.

 

Inclusivity and Accessibility

One of yoga’s biggest strengths is adaptability.

Onsite yoga:

  • suits all age groups
     

  • accommodates different fitness levels
     

  • requires minimal equipment
     

  • can be modified for health conditions
     

This inclusivity ensures broad participation.

 

Cost-Effectiveness and ROI

Compared to advanced medical interventions, onsite yoga is:

  • low-cost
     

  • scalable
     

  • preventive rather than reactive
     

By reducing long-term healthcare costs, yoga delivers high return on investment for employers.

 

Yoga as Part of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on reducing risk factors before disease develops.

Weekly onsite yoga supports prevention by:

  • lowering stress-related disease risk
     

  • improving metabolic health
     

  • encouraging active lifestyles
     

  • supporting mental resilience
     

NITI Aayog recognises workplace wellness as a key lever for national health improvement.

 

Integration with Corporate Wellness Programs

Onsite yoga works best when integrated with:

  • preventive health checkups
     

  • stress management initiatives
     

  • nutrition education
     

  • digital health tracking
     

Integrated programs deliver stronger outcomes than isolated activities.

 

Overcoming Common Barriers

Some organisations hesitate due to:

  • time constraints
     

  • perceived lack of interest
     

  • space concerns
     

However, short, well-structured sessions (30–45 minutes) overcome these challenges effectively.

 

Long-Term Impact on Organisations

Organisations that adopt weekly onsite yoga observe:

  • healthier workforce
     

  • reduced burnout
     

  • improved morale
     

  • better long-term healthcare outcomes
     

Lancet workplace health studies show that consistent mind-body interventions yield benefits within 6–12 months.

 

Conclusion

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness reveals why it is more than a fitness activity—it is a preventive health strategy. By addressing physical strain, mental stress and lifestyle risks, weekly onsite yoga supports healthier employees, stronger productivity and sustainable wellness culture. In today’s demanding corporate environment, investing in regular yoga sessions is an investment in long-term organisational resilience and success.

References

  • ICMR – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Disease Reports

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Stress Indicators

  • NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Workplace Wellness Strategy

  • WHO – Physical Activity, Yoga and Mental Health Guideline

  •  Lancet – Mind-Body Interventions and Workplace Health Outcomes

  • EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Productivity Report

  •  Statista – Corporate Wellness Program Trends India

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