You might be among the more than 138 million people in India who have taken at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Or you may still be waiting for your turn. Regardless, there’s a question on most of our minds: How long will the vaccine really protect us?
According to the report of Times of India, “Is vaccine really safe?” is second on the list of Top Ten Most Searched Questions on Google.
As with most aspects of the virus, the appropriate answer is not clear. Why? Because despite the fact that we have been battling the pandemic for over a year now. The vaccines were granted emergency use authorization relatively recently. So specialists have not had time to observe their long-term effectiveness till now.
According to some experts, When you get the vaccine, it takes some time for your body to build an immune response that’ll keep you protected and safe. Because of all these factors, Doctors are asking people not to let their guard down even after getting vaccinated.
In other words, it’ll take time for the vaccine to kick in, and we should still plan to play it safe after getting Vaccinated.
What happens to your body after getting a vaccine dose?
According to WHO, the COVID-19 vaccines produce protection against the virus, as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Developing immunity with the help of vaccines means there is less risk of developing the illness and its consequences.
Different types of vaccines work in different ways in providing protection. Yet with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to battle that virus later on.
It usually takes 1-2 weeks after immunization for the body to create T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. That’s why it’s possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after getting the vaccine dose and then get sick as the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection and immunity.
In some cases after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are absolutely normal and are signs that your body is building immunity.
Do some Vaccines Require More Than One Shot?
To be fully safe and protected, you will need two shots of some COVID-19 vaccines.
- Two shots: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines offer two shots. You are considered fully vaccinated and protected, two weeks after your second shot If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that offers two shots,
- One-Shot: Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine only offers one shot. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that offers one shot, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your shot.
If it has been less than two weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second shot, you are NOT at all fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are completely vaccinated.
Precautions to be taken after getting vaccine shot.
Even though most of the vaccines that are being used across the country have undergone multiple trials and have been found to be effective in these trial phases. But we still don’t know if these vaccines offer complete immunity or not. We don’t even know how long the vaccines will continue to be effective for us. For now, we can all take heart in the fact that the vaccines will help us fight against the coronavirus.
Here are a few precautions for COVID-19 that all responsible citizens should follow even after vaccination-
- Continue maintaining social distancing and avoid crowded places like malls, restaurants, and markets, etc.
- Please don’t forget to wear a mask and sanitize your hands.
- Encourage and help others as much as you can to register for the vaccination.
Vaccination is one of many steps that you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Protection from this virus is critically important as for some people, COVID-19 can cause a serious problem or even death.
Ending this pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so that your body will be ready to battle against the virus if you are exposed.
If you or your loved one are facing any symptoms don’t wait for long just get your tests done at home through OneDios App in a few clicks. Download the OneDios app and relax in the comfort of your home.