So far 1.63 crore Indians have been inoculated against the Covid-19 disease and no case of adverse effect reported, although some recipients have complained of some side-effects or mild illness. Underlining that side-effects are expected in some cases, experts have stressed that this should not deter people from taking the vaccine dose.
Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of Maharashtra’s Covid-19 task force, said both the vaccines being used in India for inoculation - Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield are safe and minor reactions are expected in some cases. It is not just with these vaccines but it is the same with any other vaccine, he added.
Here are some important thighs to know and precautions to take before you get vaccinated against coronavirus:
Before Covid vaccination:-
- Any person who is allergic to medicines or drugs should first get it clear from a medical practitioner. A complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), or Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) levels can be checked under medical advice.
- If you have been prescribed something, in particular, you must take the medicines and should eat well before the vaccination. Try relaxing, and ask for counselling if you are feeling anxious.
- People having diabetes or blood pressure need to keep a check, while cancer patients, especially those on chemotherapy, must act on medical advice.
- People who have received blood plasma or monoclonal antibodies as part of Covid-19 treatment or those who have been infected in the last one and a half months are advised to not take the vaccine right now.
After Covid vaccination:-
- A person who has been vaccinated is monitored at the vaccine centre itself to check against any immediate severe allergic reaction. After it has been learnt that the person is fine, only then they will be allowed to leave the vaccine centre.
- Pain at the injection site, fever chills and fatigue can be expected after the vaccination. One should not panic after witnessing these side-effects as they would go away in a few days.
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Important points to note:-
- Vaccines train our immune system on how to recognise and fight an external warning — in this case, the virus that causes Covid-19. Typically the body takes a few weeks to build protection (immunity) against any virus, after getting vaccinated.
- It means that a person could still get infected by Covid-19 in the few days immediately following the vaccination because the person would not have had enough time to develop immunity.
- Therefore, basic precautionary measures must be followed even after vaccination, including wearing face masks, hand hygiene, and physical distancing in public places, Cough/sneeze etiquette also needs to be followed. Because you have taken the vaccine doesn’t immune you from catching the disease.