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The Covid 19 Vaccine What To Expect

What Should I Expect When Being Vaccinated for COVID-19?

COVID-19 has emerged as a major healthcare crisis around the world. The federal government has responded to this medical threat with Operation Warp Speed, a program for developing safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 as soon as soon and as safely possible. 

What Will the Vaccination Process Be Like?

Being vaccinated for COVID-19 will involve the following steps:

  • Staying safe at your appointment: Please continue to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing before, during, and after your vaccination appointment. Continuing to wear a face mask not only protects you, but also protects others around you.    
  • Receiving multiple injections: COVID-19 vaccinations are delivered as intramuscular injections to the arm. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines initially require two shots to be fully effective, administered three weeks apart.
  • Obtaining documentation: Your medical provider will give you a card that identifies your COVID-19 vaccine, where you received it, and when you received it. You will also be provided with a fact sheet explaining more about the vaccine. Also, once you get a COVID-19 vaccination, you can enroll in v-safe using your smartphone. V-safe is the CDC’s post-vaccination tool for your smartphone that uses text messages and surveys to offer health check-ins after you receive your COVID-19 vaccine. Using v-safe, you can easily and quickly tell the CDC if you are experiencing any side effects after your vaccination. Depending on how you respond, someone from the CDC may call and check-in on you. V-safe also will remind you to receive your second COVID-19 dose when needed. Participating is voluntary and you can opt-out at any time. Learn more here: vsafe.cdc.gov.
  • Immunity: Testing has indicated that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 94-95% percent effective. However, immunity builds over time. Therefore, you may not be 94-95% protected by your vaccine until two weeks after the second injection.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination?

Minor side effects are common with many vaccines. They are evidence that your body is building immunity to a particular pathogen. Possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines include:

  • Pain and swelling at the site of injection
  • Headaches
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Fatigue

The side effects typically fade after a few days. If they persist any longer, contact your physician. Severe reactions such as anaphylaxis are rare but, if one should occur, seek medical assistance immediately.

We’re Committed to Ending the COVID-19 Crisis

COVID-19 is one of the most serious health challenges we have confronted. We, at Baptist Health are proud to play a role in ending this crisis through the administration of a safe and effective vaccination program.