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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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Desk Plants Distribution Drive: Improving Mental Health and Workplace decor

Workplace wellness is no longer limited to health checkups and fitness programs. Modern organisations are recognising that mental wellbeing, emotional balance and the physical environment play an equally important role in employee health. One initiative that effectively addresses all three is the Desk Plants Distribution Drive.

Introducing greenery into everyday workspaces is a low-cost, high-impact strategy that improves mental health while enhancing office décor and employee satisfaction.

Why Mental Health Needs Everyday Support at Work

Employees today face:

prolonged screen exposure
high work pressure
sedentary routines
constant digital connectivity

According to World Health Organization and Indian workplace health data, chronic stress and burnout are rising across industries. Small environmental interventions can significantly reduce daily stress and mental fatigue.

What Is a Desk Plants Distribution Drive?

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive involves distributing small, easy-to-maintain plants to employees for placement on their desks or workstations.

These drives are typically:

organisation-wide
part of wellness or engagement programs
aligned with sustainability initiatives

Common desk plants include succulents, pothos, snake plants and peace lilies.

How Desk Plants Improve Mental Health

Stress Reduction

Natural elements have a calming effect on the brain. Studies in occupational psychology show that the presence of plants reduces stress hormone levels and promotes relaxation.

Employees surrounded by greenery report feeling calmer and less overwhelmed during the workday.

Improved Mood and Emotional Balance

Green environments stimulate positive emotional responses. Desk plants help:

reduce irritability
improve mood
create a sense of comfort and wellbeing

This supports emotional resilience at work.

Impact on Focus and Cognitive Performance

Mental fatigue is a major contributor to reduced productivity.

Desk plants help by:

improving concentration
reducing attention fatigue
enhancing creativity

Research published in workplace wellbeing studies indicates that even small amounts of greenery improve cognitive performance.

Enhancing Workplace Décor and Atmosphere

Visual Comfort

Plants soften rigid office interiors, making workspaces feel more welcoming and less clinical.

Personalised Workspaces

Desk plants allow employees to personalise their environment, increasing ownership and job satisfaction.

Improved Indoor Environment

Some plants help reduce indoor pollutants and contribute to a fresher workspace experience.

Desk Plants and Emotional Connection to Workspaces

Having a living element at the desk fosters:

mindfulness
responsibility
emotional attachment to the workspace

These subtle psychological effects support long-term engagement.

Why Desk Plant Drives Work Well in Corporate Wellness Programs

Desk plant initiatives are:

easy to implement
budget-friendly
scalable across teams
inclusive for all roles

They create visible, daily reminders of organisational commitment to employee wellbeing.

Sustainability and CSR Alignment

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive supports:

environmental responsibility
green workplace practices
sustainability goals

It reflects a balanced approach to people and planet wellbeing.

Choosing the Right Plants for Offices

Ideal desk plants should be:

low maintenance
tolerant of indoor lighting
compact and non-intrusive
safe for shared environments

Providing simple care guidelines ensures long-term success.

Employee Engagement Through Green Initiatives

These drives encourage:

shared participation
wellness conversations
positive social interaction

They strengthen workplace culture without disrupting work routines.

Measuring the Impact of Desk Plant Initiatives

Organisations can assess impact through:

employee feedback surveys
stress and engagement indicators
workspace satisfaction scores

According to EY-FICCI workplace wellness reports, environmental wellness initiatives contribute to sustained engagement.

Long-Term Benefits for Organisations

Consistent green initiatives are linked to:

reduced burnout
improved morale
better employee retention
stronger employer branding

Small environmental changes create long-lasting wellness benefits.

Desk Plants as a Gateway to Holistic Wellness

Desk plant drives often lead to:

increased interest in mental health programs
mindfulness and stress management initiatives
ergonomic and workspace improvements

They act as a foundation for broader wellness strategies.

Why Simplicity Matters in Wellness Programs

Complex programs often fail due to low participation.

Desk plant initiatives succeed because they:

integrate naturally into daily life
require minimal effort
deliver visible benefits

Simplicity ensures sustainability.

Conclusion

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive is a powerful yet simple workplace wellness initiative that improves mental health and enhances office décor. By introducing greenery into daily work environments, organisations create calmer, more engaging and emotionally supportive spaces. These initiatives demonstrate that employee wellbeing is influenced not only by policies and programs but also by the environments in which people work. Small green changes can make a meaningful difference to mental wellbeing, productivity and workplace culture.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Mental Health and Environmental Design
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Mental Health and Lifestyle Studies
Lancet – Nature Exposure and Psychological Wellbeing Research
NITI Aayog – Workplace Wellness and Mental Health Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies
Statista – Workplace Wellness and Environmental Design Trends

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