As the world witnesses another spike in Covid cases, there continues to be paranoia and uncertainty in our lives. In these testing times, the availability and rollout of vaccines came across as a major ray of hope. Medical experts suggest that between 70 and 90 percent of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity” and curb the spread.
However, getting a vaccine is a major moment and hence, there seem to be a lot of questions and concerns regarding getting a Covid vaccine. Let’s break down the before, during and after vaccination to-do’s.
Before Vaccination:
● Since the vaccine supply is currently limited, please check if Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for you right now.
● If you currently fall under the phase criteria to get a COVID-19 vaccine, use VaccineFinder.org or contact your state health department or local pharmacy to find out where you get vaccinated.
● Schedule your vaccination appointment online with the nearest vaccination provider.
● Refer your appointment confirmation email for details about what identification and proof of eligibility will be required during your appointment to get the vaccine dose.
At your vaccination appointment:
● It is not recommended to avoid, discontinue, or delay medications for underlying medical conditions around the time of COVID-19 vaccination. However, please do speak to your healthcare provider regarding your medical history.
● During vaccination, it is extremely important that you and the vaccination provider are both well masked, covering your nose and mouth. Ensure to maintain social distancing (6ft) from others present at the location.
● Your healthcare provider will provide you a printed or electronic version of a fact sheet about the specific Covid-19 vaccine you are taking and the potential risks and benefits of receiving that vaccine.
● The healthcare provider will monitor you on site for 15 minutes after you take the dose.
● You can download v-safe, a free app that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a Covid-19 vaccine. V-safe will also remind you for your second dose. Through the app, you can also let CDC know for any side effects after being vaccinated.
● You should also get a vaccination card that holds details about the type of vaccine you took, the date of vaccination, the vaccination provider. The card will serve as a reference in case you need it in the future.
After Vaccination:
● You may experience common side effects like fatigue, headaches, fever after getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
● You are considered fully vaccinated only 2 weeks after you have taken your second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines or 2 weeks after the single dose J&J/Janssen Covid-19 vaccine.
● Even after vaccination, you should continue to take precautions like- wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowds.
It is important to remember that vaccination will not only help you, but also benefit others in the community. So even if you have doubts or questions about the Covid-19 vaccines, speak to a healthcare expert or refer to the CDC website but ensure to get vaccinated if you fall under the phase criteria.