Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Dos and don'ts of getting the COVID-19 vaccine
A woman receives a coronavirus vaccine from AstraZeneca in a nursing home in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Friday. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
It takes around two weeks to build immunity after inoculation
By Lee Hyo-jin
With the start of COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide, attention is growing over how individuals should prepare for inoculations and what safety measures they should take after receiving the injections.
Below is a list of questions and answers regarding vaccination based on information from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Q. What is the procedure before inoculation?
Once you arrive at a vaccination facility, you will go through a preliminary checkup with doctors on your history of allergic reactions to medication, food, cosmetics or other vaccines. People who have previously shown abnormal reactions to ingredients in an mRNA coronavirus vaccine ― polyethylene glycol and polysorbate ― will not be able to receive a vaccine injection.
Q. Should patients with underlying illnesses stop taking medication?
There is no reason to discontinue or alter the medication of patients with underlying conditions before or after they receive the vaccine. Those who are taking prescription drugs may take their medication regardless of the vaccination. Health authorities noted that vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna are also available for immunodeficient or HIV patients, as they are not live vaccines.
Q. Should I cancel the inoculation if I get ill?
It depends on the symptoms you are experiencing. If you have light symptoms such as common cold symptoms without a fever, you can head to the vaccination site. But if you have a temperature higher than 37.5 Celsius or any other coronavirus symptoms, it is advisable for you to reschedule the appointment.
Q. What safety measures should be taken after the vaccination?
After getting the injection, you should stay at the vaccination site for 15 to 30 minutes to watch for signs of any abnormal reactions. Continue to watch for signs of an abnormal reaction for at least three hours after you leave the site and avoid vigorous exercise. The inoculated area should be kept clean for at least three days.
Medical workers wait in an observation room in case they suffer any abnormal reactions after receiving coronavirus vaccine injections at the National Medical Center in Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap
Q. Can there be side effects?
Some normal reactions following the injection include pain and swelling in the injection area as well as a light fever, chills and headaches. Such symptoms will disappear within three days.
However, there can be abnormal allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. It affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Although anaphylaxis occurs very rarely, it can appear within minutes or hours and the symptoms develop rapidly.
Health authorities noted that anaphylaxis is treatable, and all vaccination centers are equipped with immediate response systems. And in case of side effects, the government has announced compensation of up to 430 million won ($383,700) for those who become severely disabled or die after getting a vaccine injection. Costs for medical treatment will also be provided.
Q. How long does it take to build immunity?
The amount of time for the immune system to mount an antibody response following vaccination varies among people, but it usually takes about two weeks. Those who received coronavirus vaccines were reported to have the highest antibody levels after seven to 14 days of the second dose.
Q. Can I stop wearing a mask after vaccination?
Unfortunately, no. Citizens who have been administered the vaccine should still adhere to social distancing measures and mandatory mask wearing rules. Although immunity will reduce the risk of infection, there still remains the possibility of asymptomatic virus transmission.