Once you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, the side effects are usually reasonably immediate. This rings true for both the initial vaccination and any booster vaccinations. It has been seen that most people who receive the vaccination will see side effects within the first 24 hours. The symptoms will typically only last a day or two after that, and some people will never notice any side effects.
 
If you want to minimize the side effects after a COVID-19 vaccination, you can:
 
– Take over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the doctor who provided the vaccination allows it.
– Apply a cold compress or cool, wet washcloth to the injection area.
– Walk and move your arm in an up and down motion, like a chicken, rather than sitting idly.
 
While the side effects are often only mild to moderate, some of the most common side effects include:
 
– Pain at the site of the injection
– Fatigue
– Swelling and/or redness at the site of the injection
– Headache
– Muscle pain
– Joint pain
– Chills
– Fever
– Vomiting or nausea
– Swollen lymph nodes underneath the arm that received the COVID-19 injection.

While it is safe for most to get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccines, there are a select few that shouldn’t get the COVID-19 vaccines, including:
 
– You have a history of severe allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis to any ingredients that are listed within the COVID-19 vaccines.
– You are showing a fever of over 38.5 oC on the day of the COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
– You have current, confirmed, or even suspected COVID-19 results or symptoms. Wait until you have completely recovered and finished the mandated isolation period to get vaccinated. Still, you will need to postpone your COVID-19 vaccination appointment if you have not completely recovered from COVID-19.

We highly recommend, regardless of if you have had COVID-19 previously, getting vaccinated for COVID-19. The earliest time you are able to get vaccinated after having COVID-19 is when you are completely recovered, show no symptoms, and have finished the mandatory isolation period.
 
It has been seen that individuals who have had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated afterward have a higher chance of getting COVID-19 again than individuals who do get vaccinated after they have recovered from COVID-19.
 
If you are unsure when you should get the COVID-19 vaccine after already contracting COVID-19, contact Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care today to speak to one of our staff. In that case, we are available to answer any questions you may have with respect to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination after recovering from COVID-19.

You can absolutely take any of the available COVID-19 vaccinations if you have allergies. The CDC and Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care highly recommend that if you have allergies, you should still get vaccinated, particularly if you have a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or other injectable medications, which include pet allergies, food allergies, venom allergies, environmental allergies, and/or latex allergies. This recommendation also includes individuals with a history of allergies to any oral medications or a known family history of severe allergic reactions.
 
You are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if:
 
– You are 65 years of age or older.
– If you are 18 years of age or older and you have any underlying medical conditions,
– 18 years of age or older and you work or live in a high-risk setting, which may include a school, hospital, supermarket, prison, etc.
 
Contact Eastway Medical Clinic and Urgent Care today or book your appointment for an initial COVID-19 vaccination or a booster shot for COVID-19. If you have previously had your two initial vaccinations, your booster can be different. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205. We serve patients from Charlotte NC, Harrisburg NC, Concord NC, Mint Hill NC, Matthews NC, Belmont NC, Pineville NC, Kannapolis NC, Monroe NC, Gastonia, NC, and Mt Holly NC.