You may not be getting the vaccine for quite a while, but here are some actions experts suggest doing and avoiding as you prepare to get your shot.
DO: Have an informed choice.
Social media is rife with disinformation about both COVID-19 and the vaccines that are available to prevent it. Disinformation on vaccines may cloud your judgment. Get educated. Get your information only from trusted organizations and websites with vetted, science-based facts.
DONT: Drink alcohol 24 hours BEFORE and 45 days AFTER your COVID-19 shot.
A vaccine can only do its job only when there's a strong and healthy immune system to support it. Do not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before and 45 days after getting vaccinated. Alcohol suppresses immune functioning, making you incapable of developing adequate immunogenicity after receiving the vaccine.
DO: Wear your mask and your face shield.
While waiting for your turn to get vaccinated, keep your mask and your face shield on. Observe physical distancing (until it's time to be vaccinated).
DON'T: Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Some people take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen in anticipation of potentially having side effects from the vaccine. It may not impair your immune response, but you don't want to take any chances.
DO: Get enough rest and good quality sleep BEFORE and AFTER you get vaccinated.
Good quality sleep BEFORE and AFTER vaccination strengthens the immune response against an invading antigen. The immunity-boosting effect of sleep is clinically significant in optimizing one's response to the vaccine.
DON'T: Get vaccinated if you currently have COVID-19 or have been exposed.
Don't go to the vaccination site to get your shot if you tested positive or were exposed to the virus until your symptoms and isolation period have passed. You don't want to infect the people waiting in line and the health care staff.
DO: Get vaccinated even if you've already had COVID-19.
Reinfection with COVID-19 is rare but is definitively possible.
Note: If monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma were given to you while sick with COVID-19, wait 90 days after treatment before getting the vaccine. Check with your doctor before scheduling the shot.
DON'T: Get another type of vaccine within 14 days of the COVID-19 shot.
Wait at least 14 days before or after getting another vaccine, including a flu shot, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. But if you inadvertently got another vaccine within that two-week time frame, you should complete the COVID-19 series on schedule.
DO: Get vaccinated even if you still have COVID-19 symptoms months later.
Coronavirus "long-haulers" are people who continue to suffer fatigue, brain fog, aches, pains, headaches, and more months after the virus has left their systems. Long-haul symptoms are not due to active virus infection but to prolonged inflammatory responses to the virus. Don't let your ongoing reactions keep you from getting the shot.
DON'T: Forget to inform vaccine staff about any allergies or past allergic reactions.
A few people have had moderate-to-severe allergic reactions after being given the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines. It's rare, but if you have a history of immediate or severe allergic reactions to vaccines, inform the health workers at the vaccination site.
DO: Stay until your 15 to 30-minute wait is up.
To make sure you don't have a reaction, wait around for 15-30 minutes after your shot. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you'll be required to wait 30 minutes in a holding area till you're safe to leave; a minor inconvenience compared to the dangers of an adverse reaction. If you experience an adverse reaction after leaving the vaccination site, call emergency.
DON'T: Hesitate to call your healthcare provider if the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours.
If your side effects don't seem to be going away after a few days, call your healthcare provider.
DO: Get your second shot of the vaccine within the recommended time frame.
You're not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 until you get the second shot. Talk to your vaccine provider for the specifics.
DON'T: Discontinue wearing your mask, face shield and practice physical distancing after both your first and second shots of the vaccine.
It can take a little time for your body to build up immunity to COVID-19, even with two shots. Experts say that the second dose should provide approximately 95% protection within one to two weeks after administration, depending on the vaccine.
After being fully vaccinated, it's unclear whether you may still be a silent carrier of the coronavirus. Continue to wear a mask and a face shield to protect others. Observe physical distancing, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Wash your hands often for at least 20 full seconds. Keep following safety recommendations until public health officials advise otherwise.
We live in a shared world. Overwhelming uncertainties still lie ahead. No one is safe until everyone is safe.
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