Development and distribution for the COVID vaccine has been going relatively strong. We’re now starting to see it reach the people around us. Like with any medical process, some people have questions. Here are some of the most common questions about the vaccine answered.
When Will I Get the COVID Vaccine?
Production has been struggling, to be frank. As such, the U.S. government hasn’t been able to roll out injections as quickly as they’d like. To help manage this, the CDC has a recommendation for best immunization practice. To simplify: they recommend vaccinating the elderly and immunocompromised first.
The actual process will vary by state. For specifics, visit your state’s health and safety website. Otherwise, the younger and healthier you are, the further down the list you are for qualifying for inoculation. There are claims that the goal is to have everyone available for vaccination by May, but this will only be seen in time.
What are the Side Effects of the COVID Vaccine?
There are a few side effects, but they are mild at worst. Some folks can expect a bit of swelling and pain in the arm they received the injection. They may also experience fever, chills, fatigue, and headaches for a couple of days afterwards. These will go away in a few days and should not be any cause for alarm.
What if I’m Currently Sick with COVID?
You cannot receive the vaccine while currently sick with COVID. If this is the case, you’ll be asked to wait until you have fully recovered first.
What if I had COVID and Recovered. Do I Still Need Vaccination?
Yes, the CDC recommends getting the vaccine even if you already recovered from the illness. While recovering does give a degree of resistance to the disease, you can still get sick a second time. The vaccine will help prevent that. You may need to wait up to 90 days before getting the vaccine, depending on the treatment used on you during recovery. You should consult a doctor if this applies to you.
What if I’m pregnant?
You CAN get the vaccine while pregnant. It won’t have any effect on the pregnancy, according to the CDC. It won’t affect fertility, either, if you’re currently trying for pregnancy.
How Long Does the COVID Vaccine Last?
Frankly, they don’t know. That’s something that they can only figure out with enough time for it to wear off under observation. For what it’s worth, the fact that they don’t know does mean it lasts longer than COVID has been a problem: so a full year at the least. But this is my speculation and not an official statement by the pharmaceutical organizations.
Should I Still Wear a Mask/Social Distance After the Vaccine?
Yes. While the vaccine will prevent you from getting sick, there is still a chance that you can spread the disease to others. The current theory is that the virus can survive in your airways like the nose, where it can be breathed out towards others while not affecting your own body. So still wear a mask and all that.
What Does the COVID Vaccine Cost?
The US Government is providing the vaccine free of charge.
Do I Need One Injection or Two?
It depends. The two most common vaccines, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, require two injections, each spread apart over a few weeks. Recently, Johnson and Johnson has been distributing a single injection vaccine. The doctor giving the vaccine will be able to tell you more and schedule the second injection if needed.
Is Bill Gates/Microsoft involved in the Vaccine?
No. This is a common conspiracy spread by anti-vaccination individuals. Bill Gates, the found of Microsoft, has a separate organization that develops and distributes Malaria vaccines in other countries. He is not involved with the current COVID vaccines, there are no nanochips hidden in the vaccines. If any organization wanted to track you or your data, they’d use your smartphone, not super secret nanotech injections.