What you need to know about COVID-19 Vaccines!
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Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe?
• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective
• The two vaccines available in Namibia, namely, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm, have received WHO Emergency Use Listing and have been approved by the Namibian Medicines Regulatory Council
Why should I get vaccinated?
• The COVID-19 vaccines protect you against severe COVID-19 disease and dying from
COVID-19. Your body learns how to fight the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
• This immunity helps you fight the virus if you are exposed to it.
Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine?
• COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people 18 years and older, including those with preexisting conditions of any kind, including auto-immune disorders.
• You can have the COVID-19 vaccine if you have hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary,
liver and kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.
• Talk to your health care provider for more guidance
Should I get vaccinated if I had COVID-19?
• Even if you have already had COVID-19, you should be vaccinated.
• The protection that someone gains from having COVID-19 will vary from person to person,
and we also don’t know how long natural immunity might last.
What are the possible side effects?
• Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects, most of which are mild or moderate and go away within a few days on their own.
• Common and mild or moderate side effects show you that the vaccine is working. • Experiencing no side effects doesn’t mean the vaccine is ineffective. Everybody responds differently.
• Typical side effects include pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills and diarrhoea.
What do I do after getting vaccinated?
• The COVID-19 vaccine will protect you from serious illness and even death, and reduces the risk that you will pass the virus on to others.
• To help keep others safe, you still need to: o continue to maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, o always cover a cough or sneeze in your elbow, o wash your hands frequently with soap under running water, o wear a mask when in public and o avoid enclosed, crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.