Covid-19 Vaccinations
COVID-19 has been a prevalent part of our society and won’t go away easily. However, we can fight back. The COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots help reduce the symptoms of infection and lower the transmissibility of COVID-19. To book your appointment, reach out to Medical Walk-In Care for pre-booked and walk-in appointments.
How does a vaccine work?
A vaccine is a weaker, deadened version of a virus injected into the body. This trains the immune system to recognize the virus as a potential threat and reduces the number of symptoms that one would get from the vaccine. As more people get the vaccine, the virus slowly dissipates until the infections are so mild it’s not worth worrying about anymore.
Why do I need a COVID-19 Vaccine?
A vaccine helps to prevent moderate-to-serious infections of COVID-19. When the vaccine works as intended, it reduces the spread of COVID-19 and the amount of symptoms a person may experience.
Many hospitals are overrun with COVID-19 patients, most of whom are unvaccinated. There are two reasons to take the vaccine: to reduce the amount of people in the hospital and to diminish the effects of the virus on a person’s body.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
You may feel one, multiple, or none of these symptoms.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects include:
- Headache
- Sore arm
- Chills
- Mild fever
- Body aches
The COVID-19 vaccine has a small possibility of causing blood clotting disorders. Please consult with your doctor if you are concerned about the effects on your body based on your immunocompromisation.
How often do I need to get my COVID-19 Vaccine?
As scientists around the world learn more about the disease and the efficacy of the vaccine against different variants, it can seem confusing to know when to get the vaccine and how many shots should be taken. Please note that the CDC no longer recommends the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and instead recommends the multi-dose Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines.
- The first dose can be taken any time at your local Medical Walk-In Care facility.
- Depending on which vaccine you take, Pfizer or Moderna, you may be asked to take the second dose between 3-4 weeks after your initial dose.
- Finally, any additional booster shots recommended by the CDC typically occur 6-8 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine shot.
Please note that the data is being continually updated, and at this time the CDC is exploring whether a fourth dose is necessary for United States citizens.
I Got Vaccinated but Still Contracted COVID-19, What Should I do?
There are several ways you may catch COVID-19. It generally comes from extended contact with someone who is carrying the virus, and especially when both people are not wearing masks.
Per the CDC, you need to quarantine for the following lengths:
- If you are vaccinated and continually showing symptoms, you must stay in quarantine for at least 5 days.
- If you are vaccinated and symptoms have dissipated quickly or you were an asymptomatic case, you may quarantine for 5 days. Afterwards, you can leave quarantine so long as you are wearing a mask at all times
- If you are not vaccinated, you must stay quarantined for 5 days regardless of symptoms.
Many people erroneously believe that a vaccine will eradicate a disease, when it really is about disease management. The COVID-19 vaccine’s job is to reduce symptoms and transmissibility, not eliminate it entirely. A vaccine is not a cure, but a separate entity. You may also check the difference of resveratrol vs pterostilbene here.
Get Your Vaccine!
Help protect yourself and those around you by getting the COVID-19 Vaccine at Medical Walk In Care. We accept both pre-booked and walk in appointments, every week Monday – Saturday.
Visit either of our Connecticut office locations for your vaccine appointment.