Eugene

Important things you need to know before you take the COVID-19 vaccine

Published

6 years ago

January 6, 2021

Medford, OR – According to the experts, each vaccine requires two shots. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s very important to get both for maximum effectiveness. After receiving the first shot there is a three week wait time for the second shot while the body primes the immune system.

We won’t know how effective the vaccine is if you receive the second dose more than 23 days after your first dose. This wasn’t specifically studied in clinical trials and the concern is the vaccine may not be as effective as taking it within 19–23 days after the first dose.

Also, it is crucial to stick with the same vaccine brand. That’s right, your second dose of vaccine must be manufactured by the same company that made the first dose of your vaccine. For example, if your first shot was the Pfizer vaccine, stick to that for your second shot. Then vaccination may not work properly if you get two separate types of vaccines.

When you are vaccinated the first time, you will receive a vaccine card and/or be enrolled in an electronic system so you can keep track of the date, type, and specific batch of vaccine you received. If you miss your second dose, your chances of being protected from the virus go down significantly.

Some people are concerned about the safety of the vaccines because of how quickly they were developed. Historically it takes 10–15 years to develop and test a single vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines came out within months.

While scientists and experts accelerated the process because of the pandemic and the ability to easily enroll study subjects due to the prevalence of the condition, no developmental steps were skipped, and safety was critically evaluated.

In fact, clinical trials have important third party committees built into the process which monitor the data and any safety issues that arise and these groups are free of any political or economic bias or gain.

Also, scientists have been working on an mRNA vaccine for nearly 30 years and were able to build on the current evidence base rather than start from scratch. The safety profile of the mRNA vaccines is similar to FDA-approved vaccines, with the most common issues being temporary injection site pain, fatigue, and headache.

Temporary weakness and one-sided facial paralysis, has been reported in participants in both the Pfizer and Moderna trials. The CDC is actively monitoring this, but does not think it was caused by the vaccine as the incidence of these findings in the study population was the same as what we typically encounter in the general population. In fact, Bell’s Palsy mostly occurs after a viral illness and has been associated with COVID-19 infections, not the actual vaccine.

The side effects from both COVID-19 vaccines are normal and consistent with other regularly-used, FDA-approved vaccines.

A common side effect of the first shot is local injection site soreness of the muscle. With the second dose, about 20% of patients may develop side effects like body aches, chills, and feverishness which typically last a day or less and are treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

These are all completely normal and expected and indicate that the immune system is responding appropriately. That’s a good thing!

Related Topics:

Up Next

Clinical trials for coronavirus vaccines continue and volunteers are still needed

Don't Miss

Property management company expresses frustration over eviction moratorium extension

Eugene7 days ago

Oregon Gov. Kotek draws response from opponent as Republican candidate claims the governor “declined to participate in debate” while accusing her of avoiding a live audience

Eugene7 days ago

Sen. Merkley responds to Supreme Court ruling, warns “it’s just plain scary” after three justices express support for administration’s position on new USPS restrictions for mail-in ballots

Oregon7 days ago

Oregon Sen. Wyden accuses President Trump of giving away public lands, claims “so his billionaire buddies can build more data centers that steal your water and drive up energy prices”

Eugene7 days ago

Woman arrested after police say she sat in the middle of the road and attempted to roll in front of a moving vehicle in Eugene

Eugene7 days ago

Eugene police arrest 47-year-old man months after hit-and-run seriously injured bicyclist, truck owner allegedly reported vehicle stolen to police

Eugene2 days ago

Oregon Sen. Merkley calls out Republican colleagues, says ‘if they have any integrity or any spine, they will join us in ending’ President Trump’s pocket rescission practice

Eugene7 days ago

Structure fire breaks out in Eugene multi-unit residence as crews find flames in first-floor kitchen

Eugene7 days ago

34-year-old man charged with assault after two people struck in head with sharpened sticks on Highway 99N

Eugene Daily Post

Important things you need to know before you take the COVID-19 vaccine

Eugene

Important things you need to know before you take the COVID-19 vaccine

You may also like…

Sen. Wyden responds after digital extortion group breached FBI and stole data from employees, says ‘the FBI can’t even protect its own staff from being hacked’

Oregon Sen. Merkley calls out Republican colleagues, says ‘if they have any integrity or any spine, they will join us in ending’ President Trump’s pocket rescission practice

ESF crews assist Oakridge Fire at structure fire that impacted four buildings across three properties

39-year-old man arrested on drug charges after Eugene police find 10 grams of meth outside elementary school

Eugene police arrest DUII driver after repeatedly crashing into bank building on Willamette Street

Eugene police officer reads to elementary students in honor of Dolly Parton Day

Oregon Sen. Wyden accuses President Trump of giving away public lands, claims “so his billionaire buddies can build more data centers that steal your water and drive up energy prices”

Sen. Merkley responds to Supreme Court ruling, warns “it’s just plain scary” after three justices express support for administration’s position on new USPS restrictions for mail-in ballots

Oregon Gov. Kotek draws response from opponent as Republican candidate claims the governor “declined to participate in debate” while accusing her of avoiding a live audience

Structure fire breaks out in Eugene multi-unit residence as crews find flames in first-floor kitchen

Eugene police arrest 47-year-old man months after hit-and-run seriously injured bicyclist, truck owner allegedly reported vehicle stolen to police

Trending