COVID-19 vaccines are used to spice up the physique’s immune system and shield in opposition to COVID-19. These vaccines are a significant software to assist cease the COVID-19 pandemic.
Be taught what to anticipate earlier than and after you might be vaccinated for COVID-19.
BEFORE YOU GET THE VACCINE
Examine together with your state well being division to seek out out if you end up eligible to get a vaccine. It is best to be capable of learn the way to enroll in a vaccine and at what location. You may as well verify the CDC VaccineFinder to seek out out the place to get a vaccine in your space.
Earlier than you go to your appointment, verify your affirmation emails to seek out out what it’s possible you’ll must deliver to the appointment. For instance, it’s possible you’ll want your driver’s license or different ID or proof of eligibility.
In the event you take any medicines, you must hold taking them as you normally do. In the event you take medicines that have an effect on the immune system, speak together with your well being care supplier to seek out out if getting the COVID-19 vaccine will work or trigger any issues for you.
You shouldn’t take over-the-counter ache relievers comparable to aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to assist forestall uncomfortable side effects earlier than you get the vaccine. It’s not identified if these medicines will have an effect on how properly the vaccine works. Nonetheless, should you take these medicines often for different causes, you may take them as you at all times do.
You must also not take antihistamines to assist forestall an allergic response earlier than you get the vaccine.
If in case you have any questions on your medicines, ask your well being care supplier or the vaccine supplier.
DURING YOUR VACCINE APPOINTMENT
You will want to put on a masks on the vaccination website the complete time. Everybody else on the website can even should put on a masks. Attempt to keep at the least 6 ft away from others always.
After you get your vaccine, you’ll wait on the vaccination website for quarter-hour to be sure to should not have a extreme allergic response to the shot (that is very uncommon). If in case you have had a earlier extreme allergic response or in case you have had a direct response to immunizations up to now, it’s possible you’ll want to attend for half-hour as a precaution. Vaccination websites are outfitted to offer instant take care of extreme allergic reactions and name for emergency medical care.
At your appointment, you’ll possible schedule the date of your second dose in case you are receiving a 2-dose vaccine. It is best to obtain a vaccination card that tells you what vaccine you obtained and the date and placement you obtained it. Make sure to hold this card if wanted for future use. You will want to deliver it with you to your second dose in case you are receiving a 2-dose vaccine.
It is best to contact the vaccination supplier website:
- In the event you didn’t get a vaccination card otherwise you lose your card
- In the event you didn’t schedule an appointment for a second dose
- If you might want to reschedule your second dose
You may as well contact your state well being division in case you have questions on COVID-19 vaccinations.
COVID-19 VACCINE TIMING
In the event you acquired one of many 2-dose vaccines, you’ll need to obtain your second dose inside a selected variety of weeks. You’ll want to get the identical sort (model) of vaccine to your second dose as you bought to your first.
- In the event you acquired the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you must get your second Pfizer shot about 21 days (3 weeks) after the primary shot.
- In the event you acquired the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you must get your second Moderna shot about 28 days (4 weeks) after the primary shot.
- The day you get your first shot, you’ll possible additionally schedule the date to your second shot.
- It takes time to your immune system to start out defending you after receiving the vaccine. You might be thought-about totally vaccinated 2 weeks after your second dose.
In the event you acquired the 1-dose vaccine:
- You solely want one shot for this vaccine to guard you in opposition to COVID-19.
- It takes time to your immune system to start out defending you after receiving the vaccine. You might be thought-about totally vaccinated 2 weeks after your shot.
You aren’t totally vaccinated if it has been lower than 2 weeks since your 1-dose shot or your second 2-dose shot. You aren’t totally vaccinated in case you have solely obtained 1 dose of a 2-dose vaccine.
Totally vaccinated individuals can resume actions with out carrying a masks or bodily distancing, besides the place required by federal, state, native, tribal, or territorial legal guidelines, guidelines, and rules, together with native enterprise and office steering.
The CDC has suggestions for what it’s secure to do as soon as you might be totally vaccinated.
VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS
Whereas COVID-19 vaccines is not going to make you sick, they could trigger sure uncomfortable side effects and flu-like signs. That is regular. These signs are an indication that your physique is making antibodies in opposition to the virus.
Frequent uncomfortable side effects embody:
- Ache, redness, and swelling on the arm the place you bought the shot
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
Some individuals get a purple, itchy, swollen, painful rash within the arm the place they acquired the shot. This is called “COVID arm.” This will happen days after getting the primary shot. It is best to nonetheless get your second shot should you acquired a 2-dose vaccine. You’ll be able to ask to have it within the different arm.
To assist relieve uncomfortable side effects you must:
- Transfer the arm the place you bought the shot typically throughout the day
- Apply a clear, cool washcloth to ease swelling and discomfort
- Drink loads of fluids
- Costume evenly in case you have a fever
Observe that the uncomfortable side effects from the second dose could also be extra intense than these from the primary shot. Signs from the shot could make you are feeling dangerous sufficient that you might want to take day without work from work or every day actions, however they need to go away inside a couple of days. Even should you do have uncomfortable side effects, it’s nonetheless essential to get the second shot. The dangers of any uncomfortable side effects from the vaccine are far much less harmful than the potential for critical sickness or demise from COVID-19.
You could be instructed by the vaccine supplier you could take acetaminophen or one other OTC medication comparable to ibuprofen or aspirin to assist relieve any vaccine uncomfortable side effects. Or, speak together with your physician about taking OTC medication in case you are unsure.
If signs don’t go away in a couple of days, or in case you have any considerations, you must contact your well being care supplier.
In uncommon circumstances, individuals have had extreme and non-severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines. If in case you have a extreme or non-severe allergic response after getting the primary shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, you shouldn’t get the second shot. Speak together with your well being care supplier to see if there are different choices.