Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 jab
1. How long does protection created by the vaccine last in the body?
Research has shown that protection gained from the COVID-19 vaccines against being infected will last at least six months, and protection against severe disease and death will last longer.
Public health professionals are still researching the exact duration and the need for extra doses.
For now, the most important step is to receive your irst two doses. Regarding preventing infection, P izer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson are all proven to be highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. Several studies show a reduction – about 50per cent -- in the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to household members. Vaccination, therefore, also protects your unvaccinated loved ones and reduces the spread of infection.
2. I was sick with COVID19 but now have tested negative. I still have symptoms. Should I take the vaccine?
Vaccination among those who were infected strengthens protection against the virus. However, it would be best if you waited 28 days to get your vaccine.
The 28 days are from the beginning of your symptoms or your irst positive test.
This will help ensure that you are fully recovered before receiving your vaccination - and offers even more protection for those who have antibodies after recovering from the virus plus the antibodies created by the vaccine.
3. Should patients with known clotting problems get vaccinated?
The COVID‐19 vaccination is recommended for persons with underlying medical conditions, including blood clotting disorders because they are at an increased risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.
Keep in mind that the risk of getting a blood infection due to COVID-19 illness is higher than the risk of getting a blood clot from the vaccine.
Similarly, there is no evidence that pregnant women, those in the postpartum or women on the contraceptive pill are at higher risk of blood clots after the AstraZeneca vaccine.
In a few patients with a history of a rare and specific clotting condition, caution should be used, and specialist advice should be sought.
Individuals who experience a clotting episode following the irst dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should be assessed by a doctor before receiving the second dose.
There is no evidence that those with a prior history of blood clots or known risk factors for thrombosis are more likely to develop clots after the AstraZeneca vaccine. DR HUSNA DAFFALLA * MEDICAL REFERENT 4ISRAAID