If You’re 50 Or Older: 5 Things To Know After Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

DAYBREAK, Utah – By now, Utahns age 50 and older have been eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations for a couple of weeks.

But after you roll up your sleeve and get that shot, what’s next?

Here are five things you need to know after getting the vaccine.

They say, “If you build it, they will come.” Bruce Hutchinson, age 75, who lives in Daybreak, is planning his new yard, and his garden boxes where he’ll grow tomato plants and lettuces.

He’s already anticipating the harvest.

“It’s been fun with the grandkids when they were young, to have them plant seeds and watch them grow,” Hutchinson said. “’Gee, that came out of that little seed?’”

But for the past year, when it comes to grandkids, there’s been a drought.

“There’s been a couple of times where we actually drive by and wave to them from the car,” he said. “That’s about as close as we’ve gotten.”

To see them again soon, Hutchinson, who is retired and a volunteer with AARP, got vaccinated for COVID-19.

He encourages everyone to do so.

Be prepared for side effects

Dr. Michelle Hofmann, deputy director of the Utah Department of Health, said it’s true that side effects are stronger with the second dose.

“You may experience even fever, fatigue, just feel knocked off your feet for a day, and then it’s gone as quickly as it came,” Hofmann said.

Don’t take pain relievers before 2nd dose

Knowing this, you might be tempted to take pain relievers before you go to get vaccinated. But make sure you’re not masking other symptoms.

“We don’t want people coming in with symptoms and potentially getting vaccinated if they have COVID,” Hofmann said.

Avoid other vaccines

Third, temporarily avoid all other vaccines.

Full immunity isn’t immediate

“Two weeks is what we’re saying,” Hofmann said. “Two weeks after your second dose.”

Keep wearing your mask

And finally, you still need to wear a mask until more people get the shot.

“Until everyone has equal access to the vaccine, (we need to make sure) that we’re still doing our very best to protect our community,” Hofmann said.

For Hutchinson, news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that fully vaccinated grandparents can hug their grandkids is like one of his tomato plants budding.

“Just hug them and find out what’s going on in their lives a little more than you get on Facebook,” he said.

By becoming protected, he’s sowing seeds of normalcy.

Doctors said all three COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available are safe and effective.