COVID has taken the world by storm. In a bad way. In the summer of 2020, we went on lockdown. And at first, we thought it would only be for a week. We were even happy. It meant we had an entire week off. But then the week turned into two and two turned into a year. And suddenly, children had to go to school online and everyone else had to work from home. The entire world was reeling from the effects of COVID-19.
Finally, people were able to create vaccines and distribute them to different countries. However, getting vaccinated has been, believe it or not, an issue for a lot of people. Some don’t trust the vaccine and are afraid. Well, we want to help you make sure you’ll be alright after you get vaccinated. To ensure your safety and health after getting your COVID Vaccine, here is a guide on the dos and don’ts after getting vaccinated.
What is COVID?
Transmitted from person to person via contact and droplets of saliva, COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. In the Philippines, there have been 1.29 million cases ever since this virus was discovered. Worldwide, there have been 175 million cases and 3.77 million deaths. This virus is very infectious and is serious. Therefore, it is best to monitor your health and follow health and safety measures.
The most common symptoms people with the virus have include fever, dry cough, and tiredness. The less common symptoms include aches and pains, a sore throat, and diarrhea among other things. Serious symptoms may occur as well such as shortness of breath and chest pain. If you have any of these symptoms, call and visit your doctor immediately.
What are the available COVID Vaccines in the Philippines?
The COVID vaccines available in the Philippines include Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Sputnik V. But it gets confusing. What’s the difference? Which vaccine is better? Well, let’s dive deeper into each vaccine and its efficacies or effectiveness.
Sinovac is a vaccine developed by the Sinovac/China National Pharmaceutical Group. You must get 2 doses of this vaccine. After getting the first dose, wait 2 – 4 weeks before getting the second one. The results of a large trial in Brazil showed that this vaccine has an efficacy of 51% against the SARS-CoV-2 infection and it has an efficacy of 100% against severe COVID-19.
Pfizer, manufactured by Pfizer Inc, and BioNTech, is 95% effective based on clinical trials. This vaccine requires 2 shots given at a 21-day interval. Because of how effective it is, a lot of people have found it to be the “ideal” vaccine.
AstraZeneca is another great vaccine you can get. This vaccine has an efficacy of 63.09% against COVID. The vaccine, like most, requires 2 doses given at an 8–12-week interval.
And finally, the last available vaccine would be the Sputnik V vaccine. This Russian COVID vaccine trains our immune system to fight against COVID. Authorized to be used in 68 countries, this vaccine has an efficacy of 91.6%.
16 Dos and Don’ts After Getting the Vaccine
Dos:
1. Apply a cool towel over the injection site.
After getting vaccinated, your injection site or the spot in your arm where you were injected might get a bit sore. You might find it difficult to raise your arm. It’ll feel bruised. To help with this, you should put a cool towel over the injection site. If you want, you can also use an ice pack. This will also reduce any swelling or pain.
Make sure to take care of yourself. Lift and move your arm around from time to time to check if it still hurts and is still sore.
2. Rest and relax your arm.
Because your arm is sore, it is best not to do strenuous activities with it. Do not try lifting heavy items such as boxes while your arm is sore. Rest and relax your arm. Give yourself a break. Those boxes filled with items you bought online can wait a day or two.
3. Stay hydrated.
You probably hear this a lot but you should make sure to drink lots of water. Drinking water is crucial. It helps regulate your body temperature, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to different parts of the body, and keeps your organs functioning properly. Not to mention it improves your sleep and mood. But, because you might be feeling some side effects due to the vaccines, drinking water gets a bit more important.
Some side effects of these vaccines feeling sluggish or fatigue, dizziness, nausea, fever, and diarrhea. Water can help make sure that your body is healthy and okay. Staying hydrated might even help you avoid some of these side effects although, if you do experience any of these side effects, do not be alarmed. It is normal. Just, again, stay hydrated and rest as much as you can. Prioritize your health.
4. Monitor your health.
As we’ve mentioned above, these vaccines have side effects. Whether it be nausea or fever or just a small headache, you won’t be feeling your best for at least the first 2 days. Drink lots of liquids and sleep and eat well.
If you can, check your blood pressure. Also, monitor the injection site to see if the swelling goes down and the bruised feeling fades. Look out for any kind of symptoms and consult your doctor if you feel unwell.
5. Follow a balanced diet.
Following a balanced diet boosts your immune system. Aside from observing and following a balanced diet, it is also good to get enough sleep and take some vitamin C. This’ll also boost your immune system.
If COVID isn’t giving you enough clues, we need a strong immune system. Viruses are beasts. Kind of like tsunamis or flash floods. Imagine living in a home that’ll crumble just because of strong wind. You need to find a good and strong home. If you need any help with that, contact Crown Asia and we’ll help you find a great house for sale in the Philippines that’s homey and has good bones. We’ll even help you find a suitable lot for sale. We need a strong and sturdy home that can withstand such catastrophes just as we need strong immune systems. After all, fighting off viruses is a tough job.
6. Remember to get the second dose.
A lot of vaccines require second doses. Some of these vaccines would be Moderna, Pfizer, and Sinovac. To make sure that the vaccine is as effective as possible, you have to get that second dose so, don’t forget your appointment and don’t be late. Mark it on your calendar.
7. Get a vaccination card or anything that signifies you have been vaccinated.
Don’t forget to get your vaccination card or stickers that signify that you have been vaccinated. This will help the government monitor the number of vaccinated citizens.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t mix and match your COVID vaccine
Do not try and mix and match the vaccines! For instance, if you’ve gotten Pfizer for the first dose, do not try and get another kind of vaccine. This could be very harmful to your body. There have been no studies indicating that this is safe and that this cannot harm your body. Therefore, do not ever try to mix and match your vaccines. If you get a certain kind of vaccine such as Sinovac for your first dose, stick with it.
2. Don’t stop wearing a mask when in public or practicing social distancing.
Do not let your guard down! Just because you are vaccinated does not mean that the virus has just suddenly disappeared. You need to follow safety protocols. Wear a mask and face shield. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands often. Do everything you can to ensure your safety. Avoid large gatherings. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. Don’t drink alcohol within the first 48 hours of getting vaccinated.
Although no data says you shouldn’t drink alcohol, it is better to avoid it for the first 2 days. This is because you might feel side effects and alcohol could worsen them. Take care of your body for now. There’s plenty of time for sipping wine later.
5. Don’t exercise if you feel sluggish.
If you feel too tired or if you feel fatigued, don’t force yourself to exercise. That summer body can wait. Rest and relax. Prioritize your health and drink lots of liquids.
6. Don’t immediately leave the vaccination center.
After getting vaccinated, wait for at least 30 minutes in the vaccination center or site. This way, healthcare workers can help you if you feel any symptoms. They can also monitor your body’s reaction to the virus and make sure you’re ok.s
FAQ Section
Should I get vaccinated?
A lot of people are skeptical. Do these vaccines really work? Will I get sick because of these vaccines? While it is completely understandable that you are afraid to try something new and something as rushed as these vaccines, you must also recognize that the virus is affecting millions of lives and is highly infectious. It is better to have little protection than no protection at all. Besides, these vaccines were created by scientists who know their stuff and by trusted organizations.
If you make sure that you do your research and check to see that the vaccine you’re getting is manufactured by a trusted company, you’ll be just fine. Think of it as buying a house. Say you’re looking for a house and lot for sale in the Philippines or you’re looking for a house for rent. But you don’t know where to begin. You then begin asking others to help you find the perfect house and lot for sale in the Philippines or the perfect house for sale in the Philippines for you and your current or future family. In finding help, it is always best to choose trusted companies like Crown Asia. Crown Asia makes sure to find the house for rent or for sale that is exactly what you’re looking for. If you do not wish to buy or rent a house, we can also find you a lot for sale in your ideal location. Contact us through our website or schedule an appointment and just like that, you’ve got yourself a company that is willing to work hard to find you the house and lot for sale in the Philippines that can be your future home.
In a similar sense, if you are given a choice, make sure to choose trusted vaccines and do your research on the manufacturers and efficacy beforehand. And make use of the tips we’ve stated above of what you should and shouldn’t do after you get vaccinated to ensure your health.
How long does the vaccine protect you?
Scientists are still in the process of discovering how long the vaccine can protect us. However, data shows that the Pfizer vaccine remains effective after 6 months. Just to be sure, Pfizer is testing a booster to ensure that the vaccine protects us for longer than 6 months.
Can you get COVID even if you are vaccinated?
While it is rare, contracting COVID even if you are vaccinated is possible. Because of this, it is imperative that we still follow health protocols. Wear a mask. Always wash your hands. Avoid mass gatherings. Observe social distancing. We should never let our guard down. Lest we contract a killer disease.
How is COVID contracted?
COVID is contracted by contact. If someone sneezes on you and that someone has the virus, you will likely contract it as well. Unfortunately, COVID is also airborne. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has discovered that not only can COVID be transmitted via droplets of saliva but, it is airborne. If you are in the same room as another person with COVID, you could get the virus. Because of how highly infectious it is, observing preventative measures is imperative.
We at Crown Asia want to make sure you take care of yourself after getting vaccinated just as we want to make sure that we find your perfect lot for sale or the house for sale in the Philippines or house for rent that can be your new home. Therefore, we want to encourage you to follow these dos and don’ts after getting the COVID vaccine. After all, we’re all just looking forward to a better year. Here’s to sailing through your COVID vaccination appointment.
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