After announcing on social media and at the gym that I had taken my first shot of Sputnik V, one of the vaccines in the fight against COVID-19, I was asked several questions. I was questioned about side effects, if I worked out after and what I consumed before and after the vaccine among other things.
Let me state here for the record that I had no side effects besides yawning quite often later in the day and I ate what I always eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner before and after the free jab. Eggs, coffee, oatmeal, rice, chicken, veggies and protein shakes. I worked out the day after with no complaints, in fact, I did shoulders and arms.
Here is a list of some of the do’s and don’ts you should observe before and after getting vaccinated.
Do: Eat healthy and stay relaxed before getting the vaccine.
Do: Prepare for side effects like fatigue, soreness at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fever, chills and nausea.
Do: Wear a short sleeve or armless top when going to take the jab. I wore a cool red tank top.
Do: Post a cool selfie with your card (blocking out personal information of course) and encourage others to take the jab.
Don’t: Consume alcohol or any intoxicants 24 hours before and after taking the vaccine.
Don’t: Do an intense upper body workout if you are experiencing pain at the injection site.
Don’t: Quit wearing your mask and observing the necessary COVID-19 measures.
Don’t: Throw away your vaccine card, it may be needed as proof down the road.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings, regardless of size.
This change sends a clear message: vaccinations ultimately spell the end of the COVID-19 fears of death for individuals and the society. If they are vaccinated, people can safely get together with their friends and family members. They can dine out without fear, attend activities and travel without quarantining.
If you are vaccinated, COVID joins a long list of small risks that we have accepted without upending our existence, like driving, swimming, riding without a helmet or exposing ourselves to the cold.
The announcement also sent a message to the unvaccinated (the CDC emphasized that mask wearing should continue in most settings). Life as we know it will start to return to a semblance of normalcy and the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. It is also the best way to protect your loved ones, your community and the rest of the world.
I urge those who are still undecided to get vaccinated and play your role in ending the pandemic.
