We spoke to CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, for guidance on how to plan for the care of ourselves and our loved ones as more people are vaccinated.
Dr. Leana Wen: With a shortage of vaccines, the biggest challenge facing people is getting an appointment for vaccination. Depending on where you are, you can contact your local health or city department, a local pharmacy, your doctor’s office or a local hospital.
After making the appointment, follow all instructions. Complete the paperwork if you have to work beforehand. Bring all required documentation; some places ask for identification or proof of residence, so know what you need and make sure you have it.
If you know of others who have been vaccinated in the same place, you can ask what their experiences are – for example, how long the waiting time was. Remember that there are many that evolve as websites find out how to do the best vaccinations, so someone’s experience from a few weeks ago may look different now.
CNN: Do people have to wear masks when they get vaccinated?
Win: Absolutely. The protection against the coronavirus vaccine is not immediate. On websites, you need to be masked, and want to reduce your exposure to coronavirus while waiting in line.
If it’s a continuous test, the risk of coronavirus exposure is minimal. It’s a little higher if you have to wait for a long time indoors with others. In the circumstances, I would recommend a second mask, a well-fitting cloth mask, over the three-layer surgical mask, or you can wear an N95 or KN95 if you have access to one. Try to keep physical distance from others – ideally 10 feet, but at least 6 feet, if you are indoors.
CNN: If I assume I’m getting one of the two doses of vaccine already in use, how’s it? Will I feel anything after the first shot?
Win: You naturally feel the shot, just like with any injection. You may have a little soreness at the site where you are being injected.
Many people have no symptoms. Some develop side effects in one of two categories. First, they may have more pain, redness and swelling at the site of injection. Second, they may have systemic symptoms, which means they feel something in their body. They can get headaches, fever, fatigue and muscle aches. It can take hours and will usually go away after a day.
Most people with these symptoms find it a slight discomfort. They can go to work and continue their day. Some people may feel the symptoms a little more. Rest usually takes care of the symptoms, and people can also take ibuprofen or Tylenol to help with pain and fever.
CNN: Really? Side effects do not sound so good.
Win: If you notice these side effects, you should know that it is normal and expected. And that these symptoms are actually good! This means that the vaccines work. This is your body’s reaction. The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies that will protect you against coronavirus infection in the future.
It is important to note that people respond differently to vaccines. There are people who have minimal or no side effects. Nor does it mean that something is wrong with them. The vaccine also works in it, but their bodies just respond in a different way.
CNN: I heard that some people experience more side effects after the second survey.
Win: Anecdotally, this seems to be true. Many people feel very little after the first shot, but have more side effects after the second suspension against coronavirus. A hypothesis is that the first shot, the undercoat, gets your immune system ready. The second shot, the amplifier, is when your body is already done, and therefore you have a stronger reaction. Remember that the reaction is a good thing and a proof that the vaccine works!
Because some people have a stronger reaction the second time around, it is a good idea to schedule the shot if you can rest if necessary. Some people schedule the second shot when they are off or at least able to work from home. If you are unable to do so, you can let your employer know that you will receive the vaccine if you have to take the day or the next day.
CNN: Why do people have to wait 15 to 30 minutes after getting the chance?
Win: The waiting time is just in case someone gets an allergic reaction, which is very rare and is in the order of two to six per million people. If a severe allergic reaction develops, it would happen very quickly after vaccination.
People have to wait 15 minutes for case. If it’s a drive-by vaccination, they can wait in their cars; otherwise there is an area where people can sit or stand and be observed in case they react. In the very rare circumstances, they develop a reaction; it can be easily treated by the nurses and doctors on site.
Those with a history of very severe allergic reactions to other medicines or foods are asked to wait 30 minutes. Note that individuals can still get the vaccine – the only reason not to get the vaccine is if they have a known allergy to a component of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine itself.
One more thing: please register for the CDC’s V-Safe program after being vaccinated. You can quickly have any side effects you may have, and depending on your answers, someone from the CDC can call to check on you. Side effects are to be expected, and the government is still monitoring them as part of routine monitoring after a vaccine or medication has been released.
CNN: I heard one shot gives you protection. Can I skip the second shot?
Win: No. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being studied as two-dose vaccines. You can get some protection after the first shot, but you will get the optimal protection unless you get two shots.
The second dose should be taken during the approved period: three weeks after the first dose for Pfizer and four weeks after the first dose for Moderna. The CDC said that in exceptional circumstances you can get a second chance until six weeks later, but that should not be the norm.
CNN: How long does it take me to get my immune protection after I get the second shot? Can I hang out with family and friends afterwards?
Win: It takes about two weeks to develop the optimal immune protection after the second shot. The vaccine is about 95% effective, which means that you are very well protected against coronavirus.
That’s great – but it’s not 100%. You still need to be careful when you are in others, and continue to mask and avoid pushing inside settings. Also remember that we do not yet know if the vaccine means that you are protected against the carrier of coronavirus. You may not get sick, but you can still infect others if you are a carrier.
All this means that you are better protected against this deadly virus, but that you still need to be careful. I know grandparents so desperately wanted to see their grandchildren. You can do it safer now, but I’ll still try to see people outdoors if possible, with everyone wearing masks, unless everyone has been quarantined and tested for seven days. But maybe you can go in for the hug you’ve been waiting for. And if you have friends who are also fully vaccinated, it’s probably pretty safe to see them.
We will get to the point where the majority of the population is vaccinated and that we can finally end the pandemic. Let’s stay safe so far – and get vaccinated if it’s our turn!