It has been more than a year since the coronavirus first emerged in 2019 and was declared a pandemic. After months of physical and social distancing, with lockdowns and travel bans in between, we now have hope: COVID-19 vaccines. However, like many others, you probably have several questions about these vaccines. As your trusted provider of urgent care in Palm Springs, we give answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
The primary purpose of vaccinations is to keep you from getting the virus and becoming seriously ill due to it. The COVID-19 vaccine also ensures that you don’t spread the virus to other people. Furthermore, when enough people are vaccinated, it will be hard for the virus to find another person to infect. Ultimately, it will keep the virus from replicating and spreading, until it is hopefully eradicated.
US President Joe Biden has recently directed all states to drop eligibility rules for COVID-19 vaccines and to publicly open up shots to all American adults who want to get vaccinated by May 1, 2021. We can expect that new specific guidelines will be released regarding this. To make sure what applies to you, you can check with your local health department or your trusted physician.
Currently, the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine is still limited. This is the reason why there were guidelines regarding which groups get it first (i.e. medical and healthcare workers, senior citizens, etc.). However, we can expect a boost in COVID-19 supplies following President Biden’s directive. For now, the best way to know when the vaccine will be available to you is to stay in touch with your doctor and watch out for local updates.
Yes. The latest research shows that the COVID-19 vaccines currently available have a great safety profile. The COVID-19 vaccines granted emergency use in the US, in particular, have undergone large clinical trials to ensure their safety.
It is normal to experience some side effects after getting vaccinated for any disease or virus. COVID-19 vaccines are no exception. However, you should keep in mind that these side effects are normal and they indicate that your body is in the process of building up protection. Those who experience side effects may feel the symptoms in a few hours to a few days. Meanwhile, some people who got their COVID-19 vaccine did not experience any side effects.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the following common side effects of COVID-19 vaccine:
If you experience any of the side effects or symptoms above after getting vaccinated for COVID-19, don’t hesitate to consult us for urgent care in Palm Beach Gardens. Our physician can prescribe over-the-counter medications to relieve your symptoms if needed. We will also give you tips on how you can manage your symptoms. Furthermore, it’s important to consult a doctor if your symptoms or side effects worry you and if they don’t seem to get better.
No, the COVID-19 vaccine will not make you sicker if you got it while you are infected with the virus but did not know at the time. However, the vaccine might be less effective if you have any symptoms of any virus, not just COVID-19. Furthermore, it’s best to get vaccinated while your body is in optimal condition.
To make sure that you don’t have COVID-19 before a vaccination schedule (COVID-19 or others), consider going in for a test first. We offer rapid COVID testing in Palm Beach for your peace of mind.
Experts say that it’s too early to determine how long the COVID-19 vaccine will protect people. In general, however, people who have received the vaccine have been protected for at least four months or since they received the vaccine. Ultimately, we hope for community immunity, which will continuously reduce transmission and infection.
It is a common misconception that you can get COVID from the vaccine. However, even though vaccines essentially contain the COVID-19 virus, they do not contain any live virus. As such, they do not cause an infection.
Yes. Even if you already had COVID-19 and survived, it is possible that you’ll get it again, although the chances are slim. Furthermore, because this virus is still new, research is ongoing as to how severe symptoms will be for patients who get infected again and how infectious they will be. As such, it is in everyone’s best interest that you get the vaccine as long as you are qualified for it.
Most people are qualified to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Below are the known exceptions so far:
If you want to learn more about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, do not hesitate to contact us here at Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches. You may also contact or set an appointment at any of our locations:
Furthermore, while waiting for your vaccine shot, make sure to always wear your mask and practice health protocols such as physical distancing. If you feel any symptoms, whether related to COVID-19 or not, you can also rely on our telemedicine for urgent care in South Florida. We offer COVID-19 testing in Palm Beach, so reliable testing is within your reach.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
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