It's been nearly a year since the NBA suspended play, Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19 and the entire country seemingly shut down. Nearly 500,000 COVID-19 related deaths later, there is finally a glimmer of hope. Day after day, medical professionals are receiving the support they need to adequately vaccinate patients in need. Thus far, nearly 68 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been distributed and 21.6 million Americans have been vaccinated. Still, there is so much more ground to cover. Soon, the general public will be able to access the vaccine in large quantities. As the treatment becomes more widely available, there are a few things that everyone should know about what follows your COVID-19 vaccination process.
Receiving Two Doses
In the future, developers may distribute vaccines that will require one dose. However, the two biggest developers, Moderna and Pfizer, have distributed vaccines that required two doses. Patients are not fully vaccinated until they receive two doses. This is important to remember when considering future travel plans, hanging out with other friends and engaging with other fun pre and post-COVID-19 activities.
Adhere To The Buffering Period
As previously mentioned, most COVID-19 vaccines require two doses. Furthermore, it takes time for the two doses to fully protect patients. Specifically, people should take one to two weeks after receiving the vaccine to let fully take effect. In this period, people should still adhere to COVID-19 protocols. This includes wearing masks, social distancing, etc.
Sickness May Come After The Second Dose
Similar to other vaccines and shots, patients could experience cold-like symptoms after receiving the second shot. While these symptoms may arise within the first few days, they typically subside after a few days. If these symptoms linger, please visit a doctor or seek professional medical assistance.
Continue To Follow CDC Protocols
Yes, it may be cumbersome or annoying to follow COVID-19 protocols after receiving the vaccine, but it is necessary for those around you. Simply because you're protected from the vaccine, it doesn't mean that others are as well. Utilize the following recommendation from the CDC:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoid crowds
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
- Wash your hands often
The COVID-19 vaccines are starting to become available across the country, and the Black Information Network wants to know if you plan to get vaccinated. Have you already gotten the vaccine? And what are your thoughts on the vaccine? Let us know! Click HERE to take our survey. You can also take the survey on your cell phone by dialing #250 and saying the keyword RADIO SURVEY. You’ll have the option to receive a one-time auto-dialed text message from iHeartMedia.
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