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The data is in: the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot is both safe and effective. Approved for public use in SeptemberPfizer announced on Thursday that it has new data verify the effectiveness of the reformulated booster in creating antibodies. The data also shows that it does not cause any unexpected side effects compared to previous booster shots. The announcement follows shortly after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the recall for use in children from 5 to 11 years old.
►After: CDC to stop reporting daily COVID cases and deaths in favor of weekly monitoring
What is the bivalent COVID booster?
This reformulated COVID-19 booster is called a bivalent vaccine because it targets both the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, as well as the original strain of coronavirus. It is intended to provide more protection than is possible with previous boosters alone. The new reminder will strengthen protection against the worst symptoms of the virus, potentially prevent new infections and reduce the number of deaths across the country. In addition, the recall reduces the risk of “long lust» symptoms like brain fog and fatigue that can last for several months. The booster is authorized use two months after a previous dose. Either booster can be chosen regardless of the hits you received previously.
Bivalent COVID Booster Side Effects
You may have to deal with side effects as predicted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) symptoms be similar to previous boosters, including headache, fatigue, nausea, chills, fever, or pain at the injection site. However, don’t let fear of side effects keep you from protecting yourself and others with the booster shot. There are many remedies to help ease any discomfort you may be feeling. If side effects are worrisome or do not go away within a few days, contacting a health care provider is recommended.
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1. A reusable ice pack
Icing the vaccination site can provide immediate relief from the pain you are feeling. This one from Amazon has over 24,000 rave reviews from people who love that the flexible design lets you wrap and bend it to fit perfectly on any part of the body. (like your upper arm, in this case). They also say it stays icy for hours.
2. A washcloth for your arm and head
If you notice any discomfort on your arm where you were vaccinated, the CDC recommends laying a clean, cool washcloth over the area. With multiple rave reviews, these Amazon Basics washcloths are lauded for being super soft and absorbent and surprisingly high quality for the price.
Placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead or the back of your neck can also relieve fever-like symptoms.
3. Epsom salts for soaking
Epsom salt baths have long been a solution to muscle aches and pains. So if you’re feeling tender after the shot, you might benefit from a dip. These Epsom salts have over 24,000 reviews on Amazon, with people saying they provide fast, effective relief and are more affordable than other brands.
4. A bottle of water to stay hydrated
One of the CDC’s best tips for anyone getting vaccinated is to drink lots of fluids. An easy way to make sure you’re getting enough H2O? A reusable water bottle. Of all those we tested at Reviewed, we found the Brita Stainless Steel Filter Water Bottle to be the best. It keeps your water fresh and filters odors as you sip.
5. An ice roller to cool your skin
You can use this ice roller the same way you would an ice pack (i.e. on the sore spot on your arm or on your forehead if you feel a headache coming on). Thousands of reviewers rave about how easy it is to use – just chill it then roll it up – and how soothing it feels on skin.
6. An eye mask to sleep peacefully
A gel eye mask like this provides two things known to relieve headaches: coolness and darkness. The gel can be iced to ease pain or tension and the solid design will block out any irritating light. Reviewers love that it holds its cool temperature well and fits snugly and comfortably on your eyes. If a gel eye mask isn’t your thing, our favorite sleep mask, the Mzoo sleep mask, should do the trick for restful sleep.
7. A resistance band to stretch your arm
When your arm is sore, the last thing you might want to do is use it. But that’s exactly what the CDC recommends, saying that exercise your arm and make it move can help relieve some of that pain. With these highly rated resistance bands, which have over 82,000 reviews, you can do some light stretching and mobility to keep your arm from getting stiff.
8. A thermometer to monitor your symptoms
The CDC notes that having a mild fever after getting the vaccine is completely normal (although if it persists for a few days, contact your healthcare provider). To monitor your temperature, use a digital thermometer like the one offered by Femometer. It’s fast, accurate, and its results are color-coded for convenience.
9. Hand sanitizer to go
To prevent COVID-19 and other illnesses, you should always make sure you have a supply of hand sanitizer on hand, especially if you go to a pharmacy or doctor’s office where there may be higher levels of germs present. A hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can help keep you and those around you safe by killing harmful germs. These travel size Purells are easy to put in your bag or pocket when you go out.
10. A face mask to protect you and your loved ones
Although mask mandates have been relaxed, a mask might just be the ticket if you’re looking for peace of mind, especially if you’re in a high transmission area or are at higher risk for health issues. N95 or KN95 masks are both the benchmark for protection, filtering out many more particles than a cloth mask.
11. A Quality Pillow for Sleeping Discomfort
The best way to fight post-hit fatigue is to indulge in it and get some sleep. The key is to get a good night’s sleep, which means you’ll want to make sure your bedding is as comfortable as possible. While it’s difficult to improve your bed in the short term, it’s much easier to improve your pillow, which can further transform the quality of your sleep. We recommend the original Coop Home Goods pillow after test several pillows. We love that it’s extremely comfortable and customizable. comfortable and customizable.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: How to deal with side effects of bivalent COVID booster shots