How To Prepare for Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
The vaccination drive for COVID-19 has progressed at historical speeds and most parts of the world now have vaccines available for the masses. Although a fair amount of speculation has circulated around the quality and side effects of these vaccines, it’s safe to say that the benefits of getting a shot clearly outweigh the harm.
If you have the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19, make sure that you’re fully prepared for your appointment. Keep reading to know how you can get ready for your COVID-19 shot.
#1: Plan Your Appointment
There are numerous vaccination centres around; plan your appointment by choosing a place that is convenient for you. A site that is close to your home or work location is ideal. You should check online if your desired centre has available timeslots that suit your preferences.
Please also check the availability of appointment slots in other centres if you are unable to secure your desired appointment dates at the centre of their choosing.
In any case, you should make sure to arrive 10 minutes before your designated appointment time at the vaccination site to avoid any issues.
#2: Take Your Daily Medications As Scheduled
The CDC recommends continuing your everyday medications as per your schedule even on your vaccination day. These include your blood pressure medications, blood glucose medications and others that you may take on a regular basis.
However, it is not recommended to take an NSAID, an antiallergic medication or even acetaminophen as a preventive measure against the side effects of the vaccine.
There is little evidence that these prophylactic medications would do any good, so the CDC recommends avoiding using them.
#3: Be Mentally Prepared For Any And All Side Effects
Although the COVID-19 vaccine has a low side-effects profile like most other vaccines in history, there is always a small chance of side effects. Pain at the injection site is a common condition that occurs with just about any intramuscular injection; an over-the-counter painkiller can help with this mild side-effect.
Other common mild side-effects people have reported include mild headaches, body aches, joint pain and/or fatigue. These side effects typically last for a few days only and get better on their own.
Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction could occur. A small group of people with a history of anaphylaxis or allergic reactions to mRNA-based vaccines may be at risk which is why this population is not recommended to get the vaccine.
In the event of an allergic reaction, paramedics present at your vaccination centre will assist you and administer treatments accordingly.
Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Absolutely! The medical and scientific community is confident in the vaccine’s safety. The COVID-19 vaccine went through accelerated development, and it has gone through the same clinical trials and quality control as any other vaccine before becoming available on the market.
The vaccine may not prevent you from getting a COVID-19 infection a hundred per cent, but it will reduce your viral load or how much virus is present in your body, preventing you from getting serious symptoms from the virus. Stay safe and protected and book your next vaccine appointment now!
