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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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Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote Movement During the Day

Corporate offices today are larger, more digitally connected and more sedentary than ever before. Employees spend extended hours seated at desks, in meetings or on screens. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is among the top risk factors for global mortality. In India, rapid urbanisation and desk-based jobs have significantly increased sedentary behaviour.

One innovative workplace wellness strategy is to Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote movement during the day. This simple yet impactful initiative encourages daily physical activity within the office environment, helping reduce long-term health risks.

The Sedentary Workplace Problem

Large office campuses often require:

long walks between departments
elevator use for multiple floors
extended desk time

However, most employees still remain seated for more than 6–8 hours daily.

ICMR and NFHS-5 data show increasing prevalence of:

obesity
hypertension
diabetes

Sedentary habits contribute significantly to these conditions.

Why Movement During the Day Matters

Prolonged sitting affects:

metabolism
circulation
posture
heart health

Short bursts of activity improve:

blood flow
oxygen delivery
mental alertness

Encouraging movement throughout the day prevents metabolic slowdown.

How Indoor Cycles and Scooters Help

1. Break the Sitting Cycle

Indoor cycles placed in designated zones allow employees to:

pedal for 5–10 minutes
refresh during breaks
reduce continuous sitting

Scooters in large campuses encourage movement between departments.

2. Boost Energy Levels

Light physical activity stimulates:

endorphin release
improved circulation
mental clarity

Employees return to tasks with renewed focus.

3. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Regular low-intensity cycling helps:

regulate blood pressure
improve heart function
manage weight

Consistent activity reduces risk of heart disease.

4. Encourage Active Office Culture

Visible wellness initiatives create:

positive peer influence
cultural shift toward health
higher engagement

When movement becomes normalised, participation increases.

Impact on Productivity

Contrary to concerns, movement breaks:

improve concentration
reduce fatigue
enhance creativity

Research cited by global workplace health reports shows that active employees demonstrate better cognitive performance.

Suitable for Large Office Campuses

Large offices with:

multiple floors
wide corridors
campus layouts

can safely integrate scooters for short-distance mobility.

Indoor cycling stations can be placed in:

wellness corners
break rooms
near cafeterias

Accessibility encourages usage.

Addressing Safety and Practicality

To ensure safety:

provide clear guidelines
designate riding zones
encourage voluntary participation
maintain equipment regularly

Structured implementation ensures smooth integration.

Mental Health Benefits

Movement during the workday:

reduces stress
lowers cortisol levels
improves mood

Stress reduction contributes to better overall wellbeing.

Supporting Preventive Healthcare

Regular physical activity helps prevent:

metabolic syndrome
obesity
type 2 diabetes
hypertension

Preventive workplace initiatives reduce long-term health costs.

Encouraging Participation

Organisations can:

track voluntary participation
organise friendly cycling challenges
reward consistent engagement

Gamification increases motivation.

Complementing Other Wellness Initiatives

Indoor cycles and scooters can integrate with:

standing desks
walking meetings
stretch breaks
health screening programs

A multi-layered approach maximises impact.

Measuring Success

Metrics may include:

employee feedback
reduced absenteeism
improved wellness survey results
increased engagement scores

Data supports long-term continuation.

Economic Benefits for Employers

Preventive activity reduces:

sick leave
burnout
productivity loss

Healthy employees contribute more consistently.

Creating a Culture of Movement

Leadership participation encourages adoption.

When managers model active behaviour, employees follow.

Wellness becomes embedded in organisational identity.

Long-Term Impact

Encouraging daily movement leads to:

better cardiovascular health
improved metabolic function
reduced stress
enhanced workplace morale

Small, consistent actions create sustainable change.

Conclusion

Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote movement during the day is a forward-thinking corporate wellness strategy. By addressing sedentary habits directly within the workplace environment, organisations can reduce lifestyle disease risk, enhance productivity and foster a culture of health. Movement is not just exercise—it is preventive healthcare in action. When offices actively design for motion, they invest in the long-term wellbeing of their workforce.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Physical Activity and Health Reports
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease Data
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Obesity and Hypertension Trends
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare Strategy Reports
Lancet – Sedentary Behaviour and Chronic Disease Research

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