Expert advice on what to do and not to do before and after your coronavirus vaccination

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With more vaccines becoming available throughout the state, and mass vaccination clinics opening, health care workers feel the public need to know important do's and don'ts to consider.

Margaret Day will the MU Health Department vaccine committee provides advice for before, after and during your vaccination.

Register in your location with contact information

Day said, in the location that you are in, it is important to have you register your information through an online survey or form.

With entering your contact information and your interest to receive the vaccine, this tool will give health care department's an easy way to contact you when supply becomes available.

Receive the vaccine if you have already had Covid

"Even if you have had the natural Covid infection, we still recommend strongly that you consider getting the vaccine," said Day.

Although you may have built up some natural immunity from the infection, it is equally important that you don't miss an opportunity to the vaccine when it is available.

Day said, the protection from the vaccine is going to be longer lasting than your immunity, although there is no time frame for prevention as of now.

Also, if you have received treatment, such as monoclonal antibody treatment, it is recommended that you wait 90 days before you get the vaccine.

Educate yourself with information from trusted sources

Day said with the possibility of false social media information or second and third-hand information, people could be misled.

"Think about where that information is coming from, use trusted sources," said Day.

The vaccine is proven to be very safe. "To say something is 90 to 95% effective, in the world of vaccines is pretty impressive," said Day.

Further questions about the vaccine can be answered by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's "What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine."

Do not receive before the end of your isolation period

Day emphasized the importance of waiting until your advised isolation period is over.

It is important to wait through the 10-day isolation period and resolving symptoms before receiving the vaccine if you have tested positive or been exposed to the virus.

As long as your isolation period is over, even if you do still have lingering symptoms, it is safe to receive your vaccination.

Space out other vaccines and keep in mind time frame of second dose

Day said, "It is recommended not to receive any other vaccine within two weeks of receiving either dose of the Covid vaccine."

If you can avoid getting another vaccine within the time frame it is recommended, but you have had to get another vaccine within that time frame and do not want to delay getting your Covid vaccine, it is important to discuss this further with your health care provider.

Also, when you do receive your first dose of the vaccine, keep in mind that you should come back within 21-28 days for your second dose.

Day said it is important to look at your schedule ahead of the first dose to make sure you are about to make it back in the time frame recommended for your second dose. At MU Health Care's vaccination site, people will be scheduled to receive their second dose at the time of their first dose.

Inform distributor of past allergies/allergic reactions

You will typically have to provide this information to the distributor through a consent form.

It is helpful for them to know important medical history information, especially if you have an allergy/allergic reaction to previous vaccines.

This information will help departments determine how to monitor you throughout your observation period.

Take advantage of your observation period after vaccination

"The location that you get your vaccine should have an observation area waiting for you," said Day.

It is important to let the team at the site make sure you are not reacting in any way to the vaccination.

With severe adverse risks being very unlikely, some people could be at increased risked and monitoring after is recommended.

Fifteen minutes is recommended for most people. People with increased risks to reactions (people who have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past), will be advised to wait 30 minutes.

Wear your mask and social distance after vaccination

Although the vaccine is 90 to 95 percent protective against the virus, Day advises the public to continue wearing a mask and social distance like everyone has been in previous months.

She said that will be required for months to come as health departments are working to get the majority of the population vaccinated.

Side effects are normal

"People should expect vaccine reactions," said Day. She said reactions are more common in the younger population and also after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. Most reactions will occur within one to three days after vaccination.

Day said it is very common to see symptoms of sore arms, redness around the injected area, swelling around the area, muscle aches, fatigue, and fever. These do not mean that anything is wrong, it simply means your immune system is powering up to fight the infection later.

If something doesn't seem right to you and you have developed symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath, that is when you should contact your health department.

Tuesday, the Audrain County Health Department said the Missouri National Guard will hold a clinic starting at 9 a.m. Friday at the Mexico Memorial Airport for anyone in Tiers 1 and 2 of Phase 1B of the vaccination's plan.

The National Guard is providing 2,500 vaccine doses. This is one of at least 27 clinics that are planned to be held throughout the state.

Audrain County expressed earlier this week that the vaccine supply is limited and they may need to turn some people away during the event.