Vaccination can cause a slight soreness in the arm, but it should go away after a day or two.
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Professor Stephen Thomas, Head of Infectious Diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University, will walk you through the do’s and don’ts of making your decision to get your Covid-19 vaccine.
Recent censuses show that a larger percentage of Americans (~ 60%) expect to receive the vaccine, but the number is still lower than the 80-plus percentage of vaccine coverage required. to achieve herd immunity. If the U.S. could achieve herd immunity, as we do for other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and polio, we just couldn’t find our way out from this pandemic, but we have the ability to maintain our new normal. With that in mind, here are some Do’s and Don’ts you might consider when you’re ready for your Covid-19 vaccine.
DO:
· Congratulations on your decision to get vaccinated. Extensive Covid-19 vaccination and strict implementation of public health interventions, such as shelter and social distance, represent the country’s greatest hope of continuing the downward trend in new cases and avoidance. another increase.
· Talk to your doctor if you are worried about whether your previous medical problems, or the medicines you are taking, may affect the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine. The trials testing both Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines registered volunteers with persistent medical conditions, and the vaccines were shown to be safe and effective. However, the trials did not include volunteers with all health conditions, nor did they include volunteers taking certain medications that could suppress their immune systems. The CDC addresses a number of questions about who can and should get the vaccine, but you should also speak to your local doctor or health department if you have any questions.
· Consider scheduling your vaccine at a time when you have some flexibility in your work day and / or family responsibilities. After vaccination with the Moderna or Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines, 6-8 out of 10 people experience moderate to severe arm pain at the injection site. About 1-2 out of 10 people will have a fever after their second dose, and 3-6 out of 10 people will get tired and / or have a headache. If reactions are imminent, they will start immediately after the vaccination and usually go away within a few days. If you can plan a low key day after receiving the vaccine, it may be helpful to do so.
Now that you know what to do about your vaccine, here are the things not to do.
DO NOT:
· Medicate yourself before the vaccine in hopes of trying to prevent reactions such as fever or arm pain. While the use of these medications at the time of vaccination may take the edge off, there are studies that show that these medications can make the vaccine so effective. If you have a reaction, it is okay to consider taking a dose of acetaminophen (ie, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (ie, Advil, Motrin), but check with your doctor first.
· Report vaccine response through the systems established by the government and vaccine sponsors, such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The comments that people receive after the vaccine may or may not be related to the vaccine, but it is still important to gather this information so that it can be analyzed. Vaccine safety information will help vaccine developers and doctors better inform their patients.
· Stop wearing a mask and use physical and social speed once you are vaccinated. In order for a large proportion of the population to be vaccinated and for herd protection to be achieved, it is important that all people show a close relationship for public health measures. Furthermore, although the data show that vaccines prevent infection, it is not clear whether you could still get the disease or if you could spread the virus, even if you did not get it. you symptoms.
· Mix and match your Covid-19 vaccines. You should receive the same vaccine for all essential doses made by the same manufacturer. Although the two vaccines currently under EUA are very similar, there are differences in the individual ingredients of each vaccine formulation and a combination has not been shown to be safe or effective. If for some reason 2nd there is no immediate dose, it is ok to delay your second dose until you get the same vaccine.
· ‘Vaccine shop.’ Do not delay getting the vaccine because you believe that one vaccine is better than another and you plan to wait for that particular vaccine. All vaccines that are EUA approved or fully FDA approved must meet the same safety and efficacy standards.
To eradicate the widespread spread of the virus in the US, and reduce the impact of newly transmitted virus changes, we need to vaccinate as many people as possible. Vaccine developers, and their partners, were working at an unprecedented pace to deliver safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines. Now our endeavor is to take up the sleeves and help to end this pandemic.
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