Explained: What to do and what to avoid before and after vaccination

The photo is for representational purpose only

The second wave of Covid-19 is on a decline in most parts of India. More drives to get people vaccinated against the deadly virus, both public and private, are slowly taking off, after a period of being affected by severe shortages and government policy U-turns.

A lot of people still have some anxiety and questions around the vaccination process. So Mid-day.com asked two Mumbai-based experts - Dr. Rajeev Boudhankar, (MD) medicine and CEO Bhatia Hospital, and Dr. Tushau Prasad, consultant emergency medicine, Wockhardt Hospital - to answer some queries that are frequently asked in the context of pre-jab preparations and post-jabs care.

Dr. Tushau Prasad (left) and Dr. Rajeev Boudhankar

What are some important points to keep in mind/preparations to be done before taking the vaccine?

Prasad: If you are taking any medication then do so with the guidance of your expert. Discuss any serious health issues with the expert or if have undergone any surgery. If you have any allergies then get the right treatment from the doctor, and get vaccinated only after the clearance. Stick to a well-balanced diet before vaccination. Eat turmeric, ginger, green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, whole fruits, pulses, legumes, and whole grains. Don't have alcohol, processed and junk food, smoking, and carbonated drinks. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Avoid salty, saturated fats, and foods with high calories. Do not eat sugary foods, and avoid taking the vaccine on an empty stomach.

What are the masking/distancing protocols to be followed at the vaccination centre and post-vaccination?

Boudhankar: Generally, vaccine centres in India are places where there are crowds. Hence, even here there may be asymptotic carriers. This means we need to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from each other and avoid spending more time than necessary at the vaccination centres. You have to remember, even in vaccination centre settings Covid-19 can spread.

Prasad: At the vaccination centre, you will have to follow the Covid protocol of masking, social distancing, and hand sanitising. Post-vaccination, you will have to wait at the centre as you will be monitored for allergies or any adverse reactions for at least half an hour.

What is the protocol around alcohol consumption before and after vaccination?

Boudhankar: As per experts, there is no evidence of alcohol impairing the effectiveness of the vaccine. Of course, there are not many large studies conducted to study this hypothesis. So, the question - Can I drink alcohol after the vaccine? You don't need to avoid alcohol but it's best not to overdo it for a few days if you have vaccine side-effects.

What are the possible side effects after taking the vaccine? Are side effects a sign that the vaccine is working? What does having no side effects mean then?

Prasad: Common side-effects of vaccination are fever, chills, nausea, muscle pain, headache, swelling at the site, and fatigue. Yes, the side effects mean the vaccine is working. If your body's immune response is more, then you will have a flu-like illness. It's like your body is building protection against the virus. But, do not panic even if you don't get any side effects. Not having symptoms does not mean there is a problem.

Boudhankar: While the symptoms show your immune system is responding to the vaccine in a way that will protect against disease, evidence from clinical trials showed that people with few or no symptoms were also protected. "Don't feel bad if you don't feel bad", the experts say.

Scientists have noticed that people above the age of 65 are having fewer side-effects to the vaccine. This can be attributed to the gradual age-related decline in immune activity. Although this can be related to lower antibody levels, they still have immunity against the virus.

Adverse effects of Covid-19 vaccines should only last for a few days. If they last longer, contact a doctor especially since some side effects, such as a fever, chills, and fatigue, are also symptoms of Covid-19.

Should one take painkillers, paracetamol after vaccination? Which drugs, when, and what dosage is advisable?

Boudhankar: Take a paracetamol (Crocin) 500mg, only if you have fever or 650 mg if there is unbearable pain at the injection site or severe body ache.
If the arm in which the shot was taken remains sore for days afterwards, is it a cause of concern?

If the arm in which the shot was taken remains sore for days afterwards, is it a cause of concern?

Prasad: Generally, the soreness goes away within 2-3 days, but if it is persistent for a long time then just consult the doctor.

What are the do's and don'ts after taking the vaccine?

Boudhankar: Do not rub the injection site. Wait for at least half an hour in the post-vaccination area for the healthcare personnel to observe you. Inform them if you suddenly feel "unwell", dizzy, lightheaded, feeling faint, etc. Rest after going home for the rest of the day, if possible.

Prasad: There will be side effects like pain at the injection site or swelling, tiredness, fever, body pain, or chills. Take medicine as suggested to you at the vaccination centre. Do not smoke or have alcohol after vaccination as it can lower your immunity and dehydrate you. Even after inoculation, follow the Covid-19 protocol of masking, hand sanitising, and social distancing. Avoid going to crowded places. Eat anti-inflammatory foods like strawberries, cherries, oranges, mackerel, salmon, tuna, green vegetables, tomatoes, and nuts after vaccination. Opt for fibre-rich food will improve your immunity. Eat citrus fruits, salmon, sardines, and eggs. A healthy diet will boost your immunity and lower the inflammation in the body. Drinking enough fluids will reduce the possibility of side effects and keep you energised. Rest enough and get a good night's sleep.

What is currently the prescribed gap between the two vaccine doses?

Boudhankar: Presently, in India, the interval between two doses for Covaxin is 28 days and for Covishield it is 84 days.

Can you share observations regarding breakout infections? What are the chances of people contracting the virus after taking one or both doses of the vaccine?

Boudhankar: Covid infection post-vaccination is called "breakout infection". If Covid appropriate behaviour is practiced then the chances are few. However, there is still a chance to get Covid after the vaccination, if precautions are not taken.

A vaccine that is 90% effective means, theoretically, that if 200 million people are vaccinated, around 20 million of them might still be infected and get sick. The vaccine's actual effectiveness may vary depending on one's underlying immune system and exposure risk.

The risks of getting Covid-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. These environments are where the virus appears to spread by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, so taking precautions is even more important.

If someone tests positive for Covid-19 after taking both doses vaccination, what should they do?

Prasad: If the viral infection is mild then one can be home quarantined. There should be a separate room, washroom, and vessels for the patient at home. Do not allow any visitors at home. The person should stay in touch with the doctor and follow the Covid protocol of masking, hand sanitising, and social distancing. Monitor your temperature, SPO2 levels twice a day and take medicines prescribed by the doctor. If the infection is severe then get admitted to the hospital.

Boudhankar: First thing is not to panic. There is a difference between disease and infection. Vaccinated persons may get infection but the infection will not proceed to serious bodily harm as the vaccine prevents serious disease from developing. Vaccinated persons do not have serious morbidity but mild symptoms like the common flu. They do not require hospitalisation, generally or do not land up in the ICU. Deaths are very, very, rare. In case you have high fever or serious breathlessness, please consult your doctor.

How long does it take for immunity to start building after the first dose? How much is that immunity boosted after the second dose?

Boudhankar: The immune system revs up within the first 12-14 days after the first dose of vaccination and after the second dose within 2 weeks the immune system starts fully priming up.

How long will the immunity last after getting vaccinated?

Prasad: The immunity from the vaccine will last at least 6 months.

There are bizarre stories about magnetism in the body after getting vaccinated. What is your take on it?

Boudhankar: This is the most absurd "invention" to gain cheap publicity because of the easy availability of a readymade audience on the social media. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever. If you have noticed, the utensils sticking to their body are made of stainless steel and not iron utensils. Magnetised bodies do not attract steel. Moreover, it is a known fact that our bodies expel lot of sebum along with sweat and if properly placed on rounded contours of the body, this sebum will stick to any utensil and hold it in position.

Prasad: Do not believe in such rumours, and avoid forwarding such baseless videos to others. The Covid vaccine is safe, it cannot cause a magnetic reaction in the human body and doesn't contain any metal-based ingredients like iron, nickel, cobalt, and lithium. You won't get magnetised. Do not get discouraged or avoid vaccination owing to these rumours.

What are some of the myths about vaccination and post-vaccine care that you would like to bust?

According to specialist Prasad -

Myth#1: Menstruating women need not take vaccination
Fact: Note that your periods have nothing to do with inoculation. So, it is safe to get vaccinated even while you have your period.

Myth#2: Lactating and breastfeeding mothers should avoid vaccination
Fact: No harmful effects of vaccination have been recorded or noted in lactating or breastfeeding mothers. It is safe for them to get the jab.

Myth#3: Covid vaccines induce infertility
Fact: There is no study or a research to validate this claim of infertility due to the vaccine.

Myth #4: Those with comorbidities like diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer must avoid vaccination.
Fact: In fact, those with comorbidities are at an increased risk of getting infected with Covid.

Myth #5: Covid vaccine causes long-lasting side effects
Fact: The side effects after vaccination are seen only a few days after the vaccine. There will be no serious consequences of the vaccination that can haunt you in the long run.

Myth #6: One can get Covid from the vaccines
Fact: Not at all, the vaccine doesn't contain a live virus. So, you can't get Covid. You get side effects as your body is creating the immune response and not because of the Covid infection.

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