In the relatively short time it’s taken for many in the U.S. to receive COVID-19 inoculations, now more than half of the adult population are fully vaccinated. Vaccines are readily available now in many areas across the nation and this is your chance to take a big step towards protecting yourself and others from this dreaded and deadly virus.
If you’ve been waiting for the opportunity to get your first COVID inoculation, now is the time for you to get that taken care of. If you’re 12 years of age or older you may now receive the two-shot Pfizer vaccine with parental consent. The other two COVID vaccines are available for everyone18 years and older. To schedule an appointment, you can sign up at ourshot.in.gov or call 211. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are permitted.
So once your first or second vaccine is scheduled, here are a few suggestions for you to consider to help the experience go well.
You’ll want to stay hydrated during the day, so you might want to consider taking a bottle of water with you as sometimes the stress of the experience or all the waiting can make people light-headed.
Since you’re probably not totally aware of what you’ll be dealing with at the site, you’ll want to choose comfortable shoes as standing and walking throughout the facility may be necessary. One very important aspect to this process is be ready to expose your upper arm when it’s time for the injection, and you might want to choose to offer your less dominant arm for the shot in case post-inoculation soreness sets in.
It’s widely known that some people have experienced headaches after being vaccinated, so it’s a good idea to have some Tylenol, Advil or some other over-the-counter medication nearby in case you need it. Some have suggested taking one of those medications prior to a shot as a precaution, but some doctors suggest avoiding over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or antihistamines before getting the shot. The reason is we don’t yet know how much these medications affect vaccine effectiveness.
Common side affects you may receive after a COVID-19 shot are similar to the ones you may get from other vaccines such as a mild fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, and pain or swelling at the site of the vaccine. These mild symptoms may develop over the first couple days and should be temporary. When you have side effects, what you’re feeling is your immune system at work trying to build up that immunity we’re all looking for to stay safe from the coronavirus, which is exactly what’s supposed to happen.
After you receive a vaccine, you’ll be asked to remain on site for 20 minutes or so as a precaution to ensure all is well before you head home. You’ll want to be sure to bring home your vaccine card and take a photo of it, and store it in a safe place. That card will provide evidence of vaccination and be a good reminder of which vaccine you received, the dates of your dose or dosages and any follow-up appointments required.
People who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately. If you are ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your health center or clinic before coming to your appointment. If you are an Eskenazi Health patient, please call 317-880-7666 before coming to your appointment. Health care professionals are available 24/7 to answer questions on symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate care. It is important to first call before arriving at Eskenazi Health.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine Specialist at
Eskenazi Health Center
North Arlington