The COVID-19 vaccine is finally here and available to certain members of the public with plans to spread and continue the vaccination process underway. But there may be a lot you didn’t know about the vaccine. Did you know there are two different COVID-19 vaccinations (and other types on the way)? Right now, there is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. While relatively similar, there are a few differences in how the shots are administered, though both showed results of close to 95% effectiveness in clinical trials. There are also a few recommended differences noted by the CDC, such as age recommendations, though the side effects are effectively the same for both.
It’s important to remember as you are approaching your vaccination date that each COVID vaccine type requires two shots. You will need to get one dose first and then the second dose between 19 and 23 days after the first shot for full effectiveness. (The length of time in between each shot depends on the type of COVID vaccine).
Doctors on Liens Doctors Are Getting Vaccinated
Many of our Doctors on Liens doctors have already been vaccinated, and more are getting vaccinated by the day. Follow along on our Instagram by clicking on the photo here below to watch our doctors get vaccinated.
And while people are fearing getting a vaccine that was put out so quickly, it is important to remember that the side effects seen in the COVID-19 vaccines appear normal and consistent with other extensively used FDA-approved vaccines. As vaccines are currently limited, after the first wave of healthcare and essential workers, the vaccine has been opened up in many locations to individuals who are 65 years of age and older.
We can’t stop the spread of COVID-19 without a large portion of the population becoming vaccinated, so many medical professionals are recommending everyone get vaccinated if they are in the situation to do so.
What to Do After Getting the Vaccine
After you get the vaccine, your COVID journey isn’t quite finished yet. Though you are vaccinated, the vaccine is working to prevent you from having a severe case, not stopping you from carrying the virus and transferring it to others. So, though you may be safe, many others can still catch the virus from you. Therefore, it is crucial that you still wash your hands, practice social distancing, wear a mask at all times when you are out, and take preventative measures. Though the vaccine still needs to be evaluated for effectiveness, medical professionals are hopeful that if most of the community is vaccinated, and therefore severe cases stop becoming so frequent, the spread of COVID-19 will finally begin declining.
It’s been a very long journey the past year with COVID. And we’re not completely out of the water yet. So, again, please follow your health care provider’s wishes about getting vaccinated if you are able. Understand and follow the CDC guidelines, and let’s enter into 2021 with a new hope for stopping the spread of COVID.
