You’ll be so happy, but also probably feeling pretty bad.
Side effects are pretty common with the three vaccines available to fight COVID-19. So to get that protection against the pandemic we’ve all been navigating through since last year, you’ll probably have to get through feeling awful in the short-term.
We talked to Dr. Jeffrey A. Jahre, head of epidemiology at St. Luke’s Hospital Network to get some tips on what to do before and after getting your vaccine.
‘This is not in your head’
Jahre said up to 40% of those who received vaccinations have had side effects. And these are no joke.
“It’s not minor when you literally can’t get out of bed,” he said.
The good news is that the side effects are generally short-lived; onset is about 12 hours after your shot and lasts about another 12 hours.
This can feel scary because most of us aren’t used to have such strong side effects after a vaccine. Know that this is normal because doctors are seeing this consistently.
“This is not in your head,” Jahre said. “This is real and we have to acknowledge that.”
Side effects are also more common in younger people because they have a stronger immune response, he said. Side effects are also common in those who have had COVID in the past.
While all these side effects — fatigue, aches, fever — are common, if at any point your side effects become worrisome or include chest pain, shortness of breath or confusion, call your doctor immediately.
It’s important to note that the benefits of the three vaccines currently available far outweigh any of these short-term side effects.
To date, nearly 25,100 have died of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.
Plan to take care of yourself
Not everyone will feel badly afterward, of course. Jahre said the most common side effect is a sore arm.
But it may be best to consider limiting activities the day after you get your vaccines. Be prepared in the event you have to take a sick day or at least rest.
Skip the alcohol, hydrate, eat healthy
Because alcohol can act as a diuretic, it’s best to avoid it 12 hours before your shots and 12 hours after.
Staying hydrated is also really important before and after getting your shots, Jahre said. You also don’t want to show up for your vaccination on an empty stomach because you could feel faint after.
“Eat something easy to digest,” Jahre said, such as yogurt or some eggs. Steer clear of processed foods.
Get your rest
Sleep is always important, but it’s more so before you get your vaccinations.
“Get a decent night’s sleep beforehand,” Jahre said. “We want you to have good immune function.”
Can I take pain relief?
Don’t take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (Motrin, Advil) before you get your vaccines because they can decrease the antibody response you get from the vaccines.
“You want to have some of the inflammation that the vaccines give you,” Jahre said.
After your vaccinations, if you really feel like you need pain relief, start first with Tylenol.
Morning Call features reporter Jennifer Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6628 or email@example.com.