• Headache, fever, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, cough, dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea, pruritus, dizziness, anorexia, vomiting, oropharyngeal pain, dysphagia, running nose, are among the side effects of Sinopharm vaccine
• Chills, fever, arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, general discomfort and headache are among the short-term reactions listed after obtaining the Sputnik vaccine 

By Easwaran Rutnam   

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has published comprehensive guidelines on the use of the Sinopharm and Sputnik vaccines which includes the side effects one can experience.    

Similar guidelines were published when the Covishield vaccine from India was being administered in Sri Lanka.   
According to the guidelines issued on the Sinopharm vaccine from China, the Epidemiology Unit notes that feeling pain is very common soon after the injection.   
Redness, swelling, induration and pruritus are occasional reactions while erythema is a rare reaction soon after the jab.   
Headache, fever, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, cough, dyspnea, nausea, diarrhoea, pruritus, dizziness, anorexia, vomiting, oropharyngeal pain, dysphagia, running nose, constipation and hypersensitivity are among the common and rare reactions expected later, after obtaining the Sinopharm vaccine.   

The Health Ministry also notes that loss of taste, tremor, attention disorder, asthma, tonsillitis, physical discomfort, neck pain, jaw pain, neck lump, mouth ulcers, toothache, esophagus disorders, gastritis, fecal discoloration, ophthalmodynia, blurred vision, eye irritation, earache, tension, hypertension, hypotension, urinary incontinence and delayed menstruation are among the very rare after affect of the Sinopharm vaccine.   

Chills, fever, arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, general discomfort and headache are among the short-term reactions listed after obtaining the Sputnik vaccine.   

There is also the occasional enlarged regional lymph nodes which can be expected after the Sputnik V jab.  Sri Lanka recently commenced the administration of the two vaccines to people in selected areas in the country. 

• According to the guidelines issued on the Sinopharm vaccine from China,  the Epidemiology Unit notes that feeling pain is very common soon after  the injection