Do Not Do These Things When You Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Every day more and more things are opening back up and life continues to get closer to "normal" or at least close to normal. One of the reasons we're able to get back to things like sporting events is people are getting their COVID-19 vaccine. If you're like me you've got questions about the best way to prepare for the shot and what I should and shouldn't do after getting vaccinated. Here's a list of what not to do when you get your COVID-19 vaccine shots.
While I was doing a little internet research about how best to prepare for my vaccine shot scheduled for later this month I found this article from the Huffington Post that has advice from the Center For Disease Control. If you haven't done so already and you have serious questions definitely speak to your doctor but here are a few things NOT TO DO when you get your COVID-19 vaccine.
1. Don't take over-the-counter medications like Advil or Tylenol right before your shot. I was always told as a kid to take a Tylenol before a flu-shot but they say not to with the COVID-19 vaccine BUT you can take them after if you need them.
2. Drinking alcohol is okay. UNLESS you have flu-like symptoms after the shot. Drinking could make them worse and dehydrate you.
3. Don't get a tattoo or piercing right after your shot. It's possible it could trigger an immune response on top of the one you're getting from the vaccine. I figure one needle that day will be enough for me anyway.
4. Don't book other vaccines around the same time. We don't have a ton of data on how other vaccines interact. So to be safe, wait two weeks before you get a flu shot. Plus as I said in #3... how many needles do you want in one day?!
5. Don't push yourself to exercise. Most people should be fine to work out after their shot. I will use the shots as my latest excuse to skip leg day.
6. Drink lots of water. Hydration is key my friends. It can affect how well the vaccine works.
7. Don't lose your vaccine card. Staples, Office Depot, and OfficeMax will laminate it for free right now. I plan on taking a photo of it and wearing it around my neck like a backstage pass.
As of Monday 3/29/21, approximately 28% of the US had already been vaccinated. That's still a long way from Herd Immunity but we're getting closer every day.
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.