If you recently had or are set to receive a dose of<br />the COVID-19 vaccine, you probably have a few questions. <br />Here are five important<br />do's and don'ts to keep <br />in mind following your<br />vaccine appointment. <br />1. DON’T panic about<br />possible side effects, Side effects following the vaccine<br />are normal and actually a sign that<br />your immune system is doing its job. <br />On the flip side, don’t worry if you aren’t experiencing<br />side effects — the vaccine is still working.<br />2. DO stay rested,<br />hydrated and (if<br />needed) medicated, Getting enough sleep and<br />water will help your immune<br />system function properly. <br />If you’re experiencing more severe side effects, it’s<br />perfectly fine to take over-the-counter medicine for relief.<br />3. DO keep using<br />your vaccine arm, Muscle soreness on your<br />vaccine arm is common<br />and keeping it active will help.<br />The CDC recommends applying a “clean, cool, wet<br />washcloth” to your injection site to mitigate any pain.<br />4. DON’T post your<br />vaccination card on<br />social media, This makes it easier for<br />scammers to forge cards <br />or steal your identity.<br />You should also consider not laminating your card, as<br />you may need to update it later with other information. <br />5. DON’T stop<br />wearing your mask<br />in public spaces, Being fully vaccinated certainly<br />means more freedom, but you<br />still need to be mindful of others. <br />There is still not enough known about whether<br />vaccinated people are able to spread COVID-19 to others.
