Safe and productive vaccines offer excellent defense against COVID-19-related significant disease, hospitalization, and death.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to billions of people. One of the most crucial things you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19, aid at the end of the pandemic, and prevent the emergence of new versions is to be vaccinated.
As soon as it is your turn, take all COVID-19 vaccine doses prescribed to you by your health authority, including a booster dose if necessary.
Please do everything you can to maintain your and others’ health because it is still possible to contract COVID-19 and transfer it to others even after receiving the vaccination. Maintain a safe distance from people, stay away from crowds, cover your coughs and sneezes, keep interior rooms well-ventilated, and wear a mask that fits snugly over your mouth and nose. If you contract COVID-19 after immunization, your chances of experiencing moderate or no symptoms are higher than if you hadn’t received the shot.
Read our FAQ on the Emergency Use Listing procedure to learn more about how the WHO evaluates the COVID-19 vaccines’ quality, safety, and effectiveness.
Some national regulators have also evaluated other COVID-19 vaccine products in their respective nations.
Even if you have already received COVID-19, start with the first vaccine made accessible to you. Once it’s your turn, getting the vaccination as quickly as possible and without delay is critical. Combining various COVID-19 vaccinations is both safe and effective.
The current COVID-19 vaccinations offer excellent defense against the Omicron and Delta forms of the virus that causes COVID-19, which can cause severe disease and even death. Complete vaccination will also lessen the possibility of new variations surfacing.
Please read our COVID-19 Vaccines Q&A and COVID-19 Vaccines Safety Q&A for more details on booster doses and mixing and matching vaccines.
WHO SHOULD BE IMMUNIZED
Most adults over 18, including those with pre-existing diseases such as auto-immune disorders, can safely receive COVID-19 vaccinations with a WHO EUL. These ailments include stable and well-controlled chronic infections, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, lung, liver, and renal illness.
Getting immunized is essential whether you are presently breastfeeding, plan to become pregnant in the future, or are already pregnant to protect you and your existing or future family. Many people have received the COVID-19 vaccination while expecting or nursing, and there have been no reported safety issues for either the mother or the child. In actuality, getting vaccinated while expecting or even while breastfeeding may assist in safeguarding your unborn child. Even if you are menstruation on the day of your visit, you should still get your vaccination.
After one to three months, immunocompromised people should be given priority for an extra dosage of the COVID-19 vaccination. An additional dose can help to protect those with impaired immune systems since one or two amounts of COVID-19 don’t always result in enough immunity. If prescribed, you should additionally receive a booster dose.
There is mounting proof that youngsters can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For the age-specific recommendations for each vaccine, consult the COVID-19 vaccines Q&A page or the information pages for each immunization.
If you are 60 years or older and have received the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine, a third dose should be provided to you in 3 to 6 months. After two doses of these vaccines, older individuals do not gain the same immunity as younger individuals. An additional quantity may assist in boosting immunity. You ought to receive a booster dose as soon as it is your turn.
WHO NEGLECTS VACCINATION
The majority of people can receive the COVID-19 vaccine without risk.
But you shouldn’t receive the vaccination if
- You have a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to any of the COVID-19 vaccine’s ingredients to prevent any side effects.
- You miss your vaccination appointment because you have a temperature of more than 38.5°C. Delay till after you’ve recovered.
- Right now, COVID-19 is either verified or suspected in you. Wait to get vaccinated until after the critical period of isolation has ended and your acute symptoms have subsided.
It is okay to get vaccinated if you use blood thinners but ensure the person administering the vaccine is aware of this.
What to anticipate after receiving a vaccination
Some patients who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may develop minor side effects. Fever, headaches, and body aches are typical COVID-19 vaccination adverse effects, as are aching arms. Usually, these symptoms disappear after a day or two. Rest, a lot of non-alcoholic beverages, and, if necessary, taking medicine to control pain and fever will help you manage any side effects. Since we are unsure how consuming painkillers would affect the vaccine’s effectiveness, we do not advise doing so before receiving the shot.
If you are concerned about any of the adverse effects you are experiencing, speak with your doctor. Very few COVID-19 vaccination adverse effects are more severe or persistent. Contact your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, loss of speech, or mobility following your vaccination. To recognize and respond to uncommon adverse events, vaccines are continuously evaluated.
Your body develops its highest levels of immunity many weeks after each dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine, so you are not immediately protected. Although the exact duration of COVID-19 vaccination protection is yet unknown, most patients have effective protection against serious disease and death for at least six months.
As WHO gains more knowledge about COVID-19 vaccinations, we will update our recommendations and keep the data on this page current.