Maravi Express
The world is being assured that the newly-developed COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective just as other vaccines to protect individuals from serious preventable diseases.
According to a Vaccine Awareness Guide developed by Dubai Health Authority released in December 2020 — outlining pre-vaccination information — a vaccine stimulates the body to build resistance to a particular infection and strengthens the immune system by training it to form antibodies.
It says the vaccines stimulate the immune system without making the person ill and they work in different ways but they all provide protection against a disease.
For example, when injecting the vaccine (which contains protein from the virus) the immune system recognises it as a foreign body and it starts producing antibodies.
A person’s immune system forms a memory against these foreign bodies. The immune system starts fighting the virus when it enters the body again.
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved in the UK — the Pfizer-BioNTech was the first to be approved for mass use and more than 600,000 people in the UK have been vaccinated since one volunteer, Margaret Keenan, who became the first in the world to get that jab outside of a clinical trial.
Four weeks later, a vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca was also judged to be safe, and roll out of this second vaccine began alongside the Pfizer jab.
There are global fears that the COVID-19 vaccination might be made compulsory but many countries, including Dubai have allayed the fears, saying they are optional.
Dubai Health Authority
The following is what the Dubai Health Authority Vaccine Awareness Guide says:
Why should I take the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine is currently the best, safest and most effective method to control the COVID-19 pandemic and stop it from spreading, to protect yourself and others.
Target group
It is preferable to give the vaccine to the largest percentage of society in order to achieve sufficient immunity required to prevent the spread of the virus.
Priority is given to people who are most at risk of infection or people at risk of serious complications from infection and then to the remaining segments of society.
Individuals most likely to develop complications of the disease: senior citizens and residents over 60 years; people with chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, obesity and people with a BMI of 35 or more.
Others are people in occupations with the highest COVID-19 risk such as frontline health care workers, employees in sensitive and private sector and vital positions and community members over 18 years.
Vaccine excluded groups, nursing mothers, children below 18 years, those who are allergic to any vaccine, food, medicine or substance or those who carry a self-injectable adrenaline and pregnant women.
People with an immunodeficiency disease; women planning to get pregnant in the near future (3 months from the date of taking the vaccine) must inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking and those you are allergic to.
Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
All vaccines are subject to adequate testing and go through several stages (including clinical stages) before they are approved for use.
The country has selected these vaccines on a scientific basis and has made sure to provide vaccines that meet all safety requirements.
Pre-Vaccination Checklist
Important information you should tell your doctor before taking the vaccine:
* If you have any symptoms such as fever
* If you have a medical history such as diabetes, car- diovascular disease, etc.
* If you are allergic to any vaccine, food, medicine or substance OR if you carry a self-injectable adrenaline.
* If you are pregnant or you are planning to get pregnant within the next 3 months
* If you are breastfeeding
* If you suffer from an immunodeficiency disease or have a weak immunity.
Taking the vaccine and the number of doses required
Vaccination comprises of two doses, taken separately; the gap between the two doses is 21 days; the vaccine is given in the muscle of the upper arm.
For the vaccine to be effective, it is necessary to adhere to the appointment of the second dose as per the stipulated time.
It takes one week after the second dose of the vaccine to be effective and provide you with the necessary immunity.
NOTE: Even after taking both the doses for the vaccine, it is important to continue to take all precautionary measures including wearing a facemask.
Coronavirus alert
Do I need to take the COVID-19 vaccine only once in my lifetime?
It is too early to determine how long this vaccine will be effective for and the duration of its effectiveness. We will provide more information in this regard once it is available.
Post-Vaccine — What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination?
It is normal to have minor side effects during the first week after receiving the vaccine and these symptoms are common when taking any type of vaccine.
Side effects include:
* Fatigue and fever headaches
* Pain, swelling or redness at the injection-site
* Joints pain; vomiting, shivering; diarrhea; muscle pain
What do I do if there are side effects?
Take a Paracetamol when you experience mild and moderate side effects.
Use a cold compress to relieve pain at the injection site. If you have mild and moderate symptoms that persist for longer or severe symptoms, despite the use of Paracetamol, you should book a telemedicine appointment with the Doctor.
Coronavirus alert
Precautionary measures
The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to fight COVID-19 but it is not the only way.
Everyone should take precautionary measures to combat COVID-19 even after vaccination, such as physical distancing, keeping your hands clean and wearing a facemask.
A person who was infected with COVID-19 needs to take the vaccination after three months from the date of infection of the virus.
NOTE: The body develops antibodies after getting COVID-19; therefore, the chances for reinfection are very low.
Coronavirues alert: Respect to health workers
If someone has taken a vaccination other than for the COVID-19, say the influenza vaccine it is safe to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
But you need to wait for more than four weeks after the influenza vaccine to be able to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Appeal from Speaker of Parliament Catherine
Gotani Hara