After you've received your shot, be safe.
Many of us can relax this winter knowing that our immune systems are protected against COVID-19 thanks to the arrival of COVID booster shots. Because more people gather indoors during the winter months, infections of all kinds spread more quickly. On the other hand, a booster shot isn't a green light to go wild. Here are five things you should never do after obtaining a booster injection to guarantee that your booster shot is as effective as possible. Read on to learn more.
1. Don't Leave Without Waiting 15 to 30 Minutes
You may have breezed through your first dosage or doses of the COVID vaccine with no immediate side effects. However, the CDC still advises that you wait at least 15 minutes after receiving your booster at the vaccination location. If you experience an allergic reaction to the vaccine right away—which is extremely rare—medical workers at the vaccination site can treat you and, if required, call for emergency help. You should wait 30 minutes after getting your shot if you have a history of severe allergic reactions or an instant allergic reaction to a vaccine.
2. Don't Forget About Peak Effectiveness
The COVID booster, like the initial vaccine doses, takes around two weeks to reach its peak level of antibodies. Suppose you obtained a booster shot to feel safer about attending an indoor holiday event, but the gathering is scheduled before your booster reaches peak effectiveness. In that case, you should take extra precautions to avoid catching or transmitting COVID-19.
3. Don't Throw Away Your Masks
Experts aren't sure how much of a difference the COVID-19 booster makes in virus protection. According to one study, people who received a single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine had a 35-fold increase in antibodies after receiving a Pfizer booster shot and a 76-fold increase in antibodies after receiving a Moderna booster shot. Furthermore, the initial two-dose regimen is still quite effective at preventing COVID-related hospitalizations and death.
However, getting a booster does not mean you can throw away your masks and pretend the pandemic is finished. Celine Gounder, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, told HuffPost this week that getting an extra vaccine dosage does not make you Superman.
It's critical to maintain best practices like masking and social distancing in public and handwashing regularly. Last week, Charlotte Baker, DrPH, MPH, assistant professor of epidemiology at Virginia Tech, told NPR, "It's still the same precautions, but the fact is that you've just boosted your immunity." "So you may feel a little bit better about your chances of catching COVID if you're not those who are high risk."
4. Don't Forget About the Vulnerable
Even if they are fully vaccinated and boosted, those not experiencing symptoms might still spread the coronavirus. Rapid COVID testing is recommended by several specialists before holiday gatherings this winter, especially if you plan to gather indoors with persons who are at higher risk for a severe case of COVID-19, such as those over 65 or those with weak immune systems. Rapid COVID test kits for use at home are available for about $20 for a pair of tests.
5. Don't Stay Locked Down
"If you're thinking to yourself, "OK, I'd want to start getting back out there in the world a little bit." That does not bother me. "Baker gave his opinion. "The bottom line is that we are no longer under lockdown. If you want to go out, you should get out. Just take precautions." Staying updated about the COVID infection rate in your area and altering your plans based on your risk tolerance and current medical advice are all part of this.