Your vaccine questions answered: When will I be able to return to my country?

“I got my second vaccine shot on April 14 in Florida. I live in Canada. Which day would be recommended for going back to my country?” — Kristin

You can go back whenever you want. But Canada has several COVID-related entry requirements, depending whether you come in by car or by plane, and there are no special privileges for those who have been vaccinated.

If you’re going by plane, you’ll need to present a negative COVID test, taken in the previous 72 hours, before boarding. When you get to Canada, you’ll have to take another test and then endure a three-day hotel quarantine at your own expense. If you test negative again, you can leave the hotel and spend the next 11 days in quarantine at home.

This has been the rule for air travelers since Feb. 22. However, if you enter by car, you can avoid the hotel mandate and quarantine at home for 14 days as long as you take two more COVID tests, one upon arrival and one 10 days later during your quarantine.

“The bigger question right now is if I received both shots, why do I have to do this at all?” said Marty Firestone, president of the Toronto travel insurance firm Travel Secure. “Currently, proof of vaccine means nothing to the government or insurance companies with respect to getting any rules loosened.”

“I had no kind of reaction to either shot except for a sore arm. Did I just get lucky?” — Robert Beck, Hollywood

Enjoy the moment, as you are in the 50% of people who experience no symptoms after the second dose, said Dr. Chad Sanborn, an infectious disease specialist at KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida.

He said the widely reported flu-like responses to the vaccines are most common among people who previously had COVID or are under age 65.

“Based upon CDC V-Safe (voluntary smartphone survey) data collected from vaccinated individ

uals, about 65% to 75% of people had some local arm soreness with the first dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines (not surprising, if you have ever had a vaccine before) and about 50% of people had systemic symptoms after the second dose.”

The symptoms include fatigue, followed by headache and muscle aches.

“But don’t worry, just because you didn’t have a response doesn’t mean you didn’t make antibodies,” Sanborn said. “You’re probably just as well protected as your friends and family (who are jealous of you) that complained of sore arms and fatigue.”

“I am reluctant to get the COVID vaccine because I have anemia. Is the vaccine safe for people with low iron (very low iron)?” — Christine, Cooper City

You want to treat your anemia before heading over for a shot, said Dr. Joanna L. Drowos, an associate professor of family medicine at Florida Atlantic University’s medical school.

“There is limited data available on COVID-19 vaccination in the context of iron deficiency anemia,” she said. “According to the European Hematology Association, it would be advisable to correct the anemia as much as possible before administering the COVID-19 vaccine. In observational studies, the idea that serum iron plays a role in regulating lymphocyte function during infection and vaccination has been suggested. While iron deficiency anemia has not been identified as a contraindication to receiving the vaccine, some scientists have suggested that iron supplementation may enhance vaccine efficacy when iron is deficient.”

You definitely want to talk with your doctor about this as he or she will know more details about your situation and how you may react to a vaccine.

“I would like to know the process for signing up for COVID vaccine spots when one is based overseas. My family and I are Lake Worth residents but we are living in Costa Rica. The online programs for vaccine appointments prevent entry when they detect that your computer is outside the United States. If we had an appointment we could schedule our travel and make other arrangements to get there for the shots.” — Susan Wesley-Vega

For a few months, the only way to get a vaccine was through the online appointment systems, but fortunately there are now a couple of alternatives for those without internet access. Here are some sites you can now call for an appointment or just show up without one.

CVS: People without online access can contact CVS customer service at 1-800-746-7287.

Broward’s drive-thru sites: Call 866-201-6313 to request an appointment through the Florida Department of Health. For those requiring TTY access, the phone number is 833-4761526. Agents will call people back to make drive-thru appointments.

Broward College — North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek. This site accepts walk-ups as well as those who have made appointments, seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Mary V. McDonald Wilson Center at Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach. Open Thursday to Saturday to administer vaccines by appointment only. Call 561-200-3687.

Walgreens: Call

1-800-WALGREENS to schedule.

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County:

For those with no internet access, the Health Care District’s help line is at

561-804-4115.

Florida Division of Emergency Management: The state has been offering vaccine appointments at Miami Marlins Stadium and Hard Rock Stadium. Residents can monitor 1-888499-0840 for availability. Miami-Dade County: Pre-register by calling

305-614-2014. Someone from the county will contact people to schedule the vaccine appointments at Miami-Dade County drive-through sites, including Tropical Park, Zoo Miami, Homestead Sports Complex.