By One year into the pandemic and things are finally starting to look up for us. As we continue to follow safety precautions and limit social gatherings, it is important to be aware of the vaccination options provided to us. Many of us are still hesitant to get the vaccine, as we are unsure of which one to get or simply have a lack of knowledge regarding the different options. That’s why we have gathered information that will hopefully clear any confusion on the matter. Remember – we are not experts in this matter, and have collected data from trusted sources to spread awareness and knowledge.
Key Points
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), all COVID-19 vaccines have been deemed safe and effective. Accordingly, any side effects resulting from the vaccine, such as redness, muscle pain, fever etc, are normal. Additionally, it takes between 3-4 weeks after being vaccinated to build antibodies and subsequently immunity against the virus. Those who receive the vaccine may revert back to performing normal daily activities but are still advised to take precautions and wear a mask.
Myths
The pandemic has caused a great deal of confusion and anxiety, and along with this several rumours related to the vaccine. For women wanting to have children one day, there is currently no evidence that a COVID-19 vaccination will result in any future pregnancy related issues. Further, many people assume that if they have already contracted the virus previously, and recovered, you don’t need a vaccine. This is not true – it is advised that everyone should get a vaccine regardless of whether they have already had COVID-19 or not.
Additionally, some people believe receiving the vaccine will make them sick with the virus, this is false as none of the authorised vaccines can actually make you sick with this virus. The vaccine also doesn’t prevent you from having COVID-19 completely, but instead ensures that if you do contract it, it’s mild. This is similar to how other vaccines work.
Lastly, there is no specific “recommended’ vaccine – many people are still waiting for a certain brand or believe one may be better than another, this is not the case, in fact it is said that whichever vaccine is available to you is the best vaccine – the CDC and other boards of authority do not recommend one vaccine over another.
Current Vaccines
Current vaccines made available include: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Novavax, Sinopharm, Sputnik and Cansino. Of these, Sinopharm and Sputnik and CanSino have been approved and made available across Pakistan. At the moment, it is advised for everyone over the age of 50 to register for the vaccine and get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. Currently, Sputnik is being offered upon payment in both OMI and Southcity in Karachi, while Sinopharm is available upon registration. The efficacy of each vaccine varies, but despite this, all of the listed vaccines are recommended and safe. All the above vaccines are to be taken in two separate doses except for Johnson & Johnson and CanSino which are administered through a single dose.
As we collectively continue to deal with the consequences of this pandemic, it is important not to get “lazy” and continue to take precautions in order to keep yourself and others safe. There is still a lot to learn and ongoing research continues as we continue to learn more about this virus and the available vaccines. If you have any questions or may still be hesitant about getting a vaccine please consult further with a professional and stay safe.
Helpful Links For Further Information:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2020/covid-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/
We are not in any way recommending a course of action in relation to the vaccine – please do your individual research before deciding whether or not to get vaccinated, and which one to get if you do so.
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