It can be a rather difficult thing to get a COVID-19 vaccine depending on your present location. It is essential to first comprehend where to receive the vaccine, and following this, you can expect for securing a time slot. In spite of that, this process is not much worth the time and effort given by you.
After your appointment has been scheduled, you can make use of some tips and tricks for making sure that you obtain the best possible experience. It is quite natural for you to feel nervous regarding the entire ordeal. However, make sure not to worry. You will be doing fine in case you stick to these dos and don’ts of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dos….
1. Get prepared for side effects
It will be a good idea to become ready for the common side effects of this vaccine. These consist of soreness at the site of the injection, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, headache, as well as nausea. However, take care not to take pain medicines preemptively for dealing with these symptoms.
2. Accept any vaccine that is available
Refrain from doing “vaccine shopping” and accept any vaccine that is obtainable. Even though you might have a belief that some vaccines happen to be better than others, in truth they are all aiding us to stop this pandemic.
3. Always wear a face covering or mask
It might be the fact that your vaccine provider will make it compulsory for you to put on a mask; however, even if they don’t, always wear one. Masks have the ability to slow the spreading of the viral particles, and you are going to be in close proximity to strangers prior to receiving the vaccine.
4. If required, schedule the 2nd shot
It will be imperative to schedule another injection in case you have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Perform this step while you happen to be at the clinic such that you do not forget or neglect it afterward. A second shot will not be required for those that have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
5. Wait for 15 minutes in the clinic
The majority of the vaccine providers will ask you to wait for 15 minutes in the clinic after being vaccinated to watch out for any type of side effects. Make sure to wait in spite of feeling fine.
6. Check with your physician in advance regarding medications and health conditions
In case you are taking prescription medicines or suffering from any health condition, ask your physician regarding whether it will be safe for you to receive the vaccine. As a matter of fact, allergies, medications, and autoimmune conditions can make it quite unsafe to get the vaccine in the long run.
7. Put on a short-sleeve shirt
It is a fact that you are going to receive the injection in the shoulder. Therefore, it will be advisable to put on a loose and short-sleeve shirt so that it becomes simple for the provider.
8. Reschedule in case you have known symptoms
In case you begin to show symptoms before receiving the vaccine, sick to the proper guidelines for self-isolation and quarantine. Make sure to reschedule the appointment after satisfying the CDC guidelines.
9. Use the new CDC tool for logging your vaccination
Get prepared with V-safe which is actually the health checker tool of the CDC after the vaccination. After signing up online, log the time and day of the vaccine along with the vaccine type. This tool will likewise ask you for your personal info as well.
After setting up, any side effects experienced by you after receiving the vaccine can be reported. You might be contacted by someone from the CDC in case they think that your report needs follow-up.
Don’ts….
10. Post a selfie along with the vaccine card
Although you might be proud of receiving the COVID-10 vaccine, you will be inviting scammers in case you show off the vaccine card. These cards have got your personal information such as your age, full name, as well as the place where you received the vaccine. Posting a photo of this card will make you susceptible to identity theft. Apart from this, according to some experts, these cards can be copied by scammers for pretending that they are already vaccinated.
11. Lose the vaccine card
It is essential to show the timestamp on the card to your provider if you require another shot. Therefore, it will be a good idea to keep it available to you. Moreover, public places might require some type of vaccine documentation for additional safety.
12. Get other vaccines as well
It has been suggested by the CDC to wait for a minimum of 14 days to get a different vaccine after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Consequently, you need to wait for at least 14 days between your COVID-19 vaccine and this particular vaccine. This is because it is not yet known how the COVID-19 vaccine will interact with other types.
13. Miss your appointment
Flaking out on your appointment might imply a wasted vaccine dose. Once thawed, it is essential to use the syringes the same day; else, they should be thrown away.
14. Take OTC pain medications prior to your appointment
Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen is not recommended by the CDC prior to becoming vaccinated. It is not known to the health authorities how these medications will be interacting with the vaccine, and there is a possibility for your dose to become less effective.
15. Get rid of your mask and refrain from social distancing
You will not be considered to be completely vaccinated against the virus until a period of 14 days following your final vaccine dose. Therefore, you have to stick to the basic prevention guidelines in case you have just received the first dosage of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or 2 weeks have not passed after taking your 2nd dose. You should go on wearing a mask even after that until and unless the WHO and CDC think that it will be OK not to use them.
16. Do not report any side effect
Make certain to report your symptoms on V-safe in case you happen to experience them. This info will allow the CDC to track any side effect which will aid in developing better vaccines in the near future.
