Finally, after a year, our scientists have invented the vaccine of covid-19. The vaccine was the need of the hour and is much awaited after the stressful counter with coronavirus last year. Various companies around the world are making vaccines to increase our immunity against coronavirus. Even if the coronavirus is able to enter your body, it will not harm much and becomes less severe if you are vaccinated.
Millions of people are getting vaccinated daily around the world. You also must have thousands of questions about the covid-19 vaccine. But don’t worry, we have answers to all your questions. There are some guidelines on post-covid-19 vaccination care that you must know about. These guidelines will help you to successfully get vaccinated as you await without any difficulties. In this article, we will mention all the guidelines, safety protocols, side-effects post covid-19 vaccination care. So, let’s get started.
Tips to keep in mind before getting vaccinated
You must have heard about various side-effects in the body after getting vaccinated that prolong for about 2-3 days. These side-effects are because of the vaccine. All covid-19 vaccines contain a small, harm-less amount of coronavirus traces that are indulged in the body to boost the immunity against coronavirus. This harmless number of traces of coronaviruses along with other chemicals promotes the immunity of the person and keeps him safe from coronavirus. There are tips and some precautions that you should take after getting vaccinated. These tips are mentioned below.
1. Do not immediately leave the vaccination center
It is guided to not immediately leave the vaccination center after getting vaccinated. You should stay seated for about 15-30 there. This is because, due to the heavy dose of the vaccine, our body sometimes responds in a different manner that can make us faint. You will be monitored by health care workers and if you feel any sort of uneasiness, nausea, any allergic reaction, any dizziness, you should immediately report to the doctor at the vaccination center.
2. Drink fluids post-vaccination
It is generally recommended to drink lots of fluids after the vaccination process. This will keep you hydrated and will allow the vaccine to properly function. One important thing that you should keep in mind is that you should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and wine at least for 5-6 days after the vaccine dose. Drinking wine just after the vaccine process may leave you in a serious hospitalized condition.
3. Rotate your arm
Rotate your vaccinated arm to calm the inflammation and pain. To soothe your arm, you can place a wet or cool cloth on the area. This will reduce future soreness.
4. Be prepared for side-effects
The covid-19 vaccine comes with side effects in the body that lasts for about 2-3 days. The side effects are not severe but they can affect your routine activities. The side effects signify that your body is reacting to the vaccine and building protection against the virus. You should not create any sort of panic because of these after-effects. Some side-effects of covid-19 vaccination include:
- Pain and redness in the arm where you got the shot
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Chills
- Swelling in the vaccinated arm
- Joint and body pain.
Helpful tips to relieve side-effects
Yes, these side effects won’t last long and are not severe, but they might hamper the routine of the day. That uneasy feeling is also enough to ruin the whole day. So to avoid these side effects, ask your doctor for paracetamol, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and antihistamines. These medicines will not give you that uneasy feeling and headache. Make sure you consult any doctor before consuming these medicines. Also, never take these medicines before the vaccination process to prevent side effects, as they might hamper the functioning of the vaccine.
- To reduce the pain in the vaccinated arm, rotate your arm in both directions, or you can apply any cold, wet cloth over the area.
- To reduce the discomfort from fever, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids like water and juices. You can also dress lightly and lie down in an air-conditioned room to avoid uneasiness.
- The side effects of the second dose might last longer than the first dose, but you do not need to panic and consult your doctor after 4-5 days.
5. Keep Calm
Do not create a sense of panic inside and outside of your body. Be calm and trust the process. Give your body rest and try to wear loose and light clothes to avoid uneasiness. Take paracetamol if the conditions worsen. Do yoga to avoid anxiety. Try to distract your mind.
6. Don’t forget the precautions
Even after getting vaccinated, you shouldn’t avoid the covid-19 protocols and precautions. The extent to which vaccine can save you is still unknown and thus the covid-19 precautions will give you an extra shield from coronavirus. By following all the guidelines, you are also protecting other human beings from this deadly virus as you will not become a spreader. Follow these precautions after vaccination care:
- Social distancing: keep at least 1-meter distance from others.
- Wear masks and PPE once you step out of your home. For extra safety, wear a mask at home also when contacting other family members of the family.
- Hand sanitization: Don’t forget to Sanitise your hand with Fogger Machine frequently to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
- Cover your mouth with your elbow while sneezing.
- Avoid sharing your belongings that you usually touch with others during this pandemic.
7. Do not relax early
You should know that the maximum level of immunity will be reached only after 15 days of the second dose of the vaccination. Thus, do not avoid rules and guidelines.
8. Vaccination certificate
Download your vaccination certificate of both doses after you reach home. It is important as it can help you to travel and for other purposes. Go to the website cowin.gov.in to download the certificate.
9. Avoid taking other vaccines
If you wish to take other vaccines of any other medical condition, make sure you keep a gap of at least 14 days after the first or second dose. This is important for the proper functioning of both vaccines.
10. Discuss with the doctor
If you are allergic to any medicine or if you have been on immunosuppressants, then you should discuss with your doctor about the condition. Do not take medicine without discussion and proper guidance from the doctor.
11. When to call the doctor
After getting vaccinated, there might become a situation where you need to call the doctor. The situations are,
- Worsening of the area where you got the shot after 24 hours.
- If the side effects of the vaccine last for more than 3-4 days.
In these two conditions, you should immediately call the doctor and discuss the situation. Call 911 for proper health care and support. Search your country’s health care number on the internet and contact them immediately.
Conclusion
Remember, none of the vaccines available around the world is 100 percent efficient. Thus, do not stop following the guidelines. Also, be patient with the vaccine and side effects. Don’t create any panic because our body will take time to build the anti-bodies inside.
Try to distract your mind to avoid anxiety and nervousness from getting injected. The vaccine is merely a prick. Be a responsible citizen. Motivate others to get vaccinated and work for the welfare of people. Have a happy vaccine, till then stay safe and stay home.
Also, check out this article on why is everyone talking about covid 19 vaccine