Tips for V-day - when it is your turn to get your vaccine

Before your vaccination

• Ensure you have a 14-day gap between other vaccines and the Covid-19 vaccine.
• If you feel sick on the day of the vaccine or have a temperature, check with your healthcare provider if you should get the vaccine, or if you should rather postpone.
• Please also speak to your doctor if you have a history of severe allergic reactions or other health issues that concern you, in relationship with the Covid-19 vaccine.

At the vaccination site

• In the queue - wear your mask, keep your distance.
• We don't know yet how long the queues will be, rather be prepared.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, warm clothes, take food and water. Good hydration is important on the day of your vaccination.
  • Ensure your phone is charged.
  • If you expect queues to be very long, you might want to take something to sit on.
  • Consider getting somebody to drop you off at the vaccination site if you expect limited parking
• The healthcare professional that administers your vaccine received specialised training for the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine. If you still have any concerns about the vaccine or your well-being, ask them for advice.
• Your vaccine will be administered in your upper arm. Wear clothes that allow easy access to your upper arm.
• Take your ID, Voucher number and AMS membership card or Medical Aid number.
• The healthcare provider will keep you at the vaccination site for 15 minutes after your vaccination to look out for any immediate reactions, although they are very rare.

After your vaccination

• Keep the record/proof of your vaccination.
• We don't know yet how long the queues will be, rather be prepared.
• Be careful about posting selfies with vaccination certificates containing your personal information such as ID numbers on social media.
• Know that mild side effects are normal and expected. It could be a pain or swelling in your arm, mild fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle or joint aches, chills, or diarrhoea. If these symptoms are present for longer than a few days or if you have a stronger reaction, please consult with your healthcare provider.
• If you received the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, please watch out for the second-dose appointment. For this particular vaccine to be effective, you must receive the second dose.
• Remember that your immune system needs 2-3 weeks after your vaccination before it can fully protect you. If you receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, this would be 2-3 weeks thereafter; if you receive the Pfizer vaccine, 2-3 weeks after the second dose.
• The vaccine won't necessarily stop you from contracting the virus, it will protect you from severe infections and limiting the need for hospitalisation and ventilation therapy.
• Keep on wearing your mask and adhere to all other safety measures. You still need to protect yourself and members of the community that are not vaccinated yet. We are still learning about the vaccine and the virus and don't know yet if you can still spread Covid-19 after you are fully vaccinated.

Published: June 2021.