Vaccinate with confidence and care
As the COVID-19 vaccination program rolls out around the country, and around the world, it is crucial that those lining up for their shots have confidence in their ability to find advice and stay informed.
According to the Federal Government Health website, common reactions to vaccination include:
- pain, redness and/or swelling where you received the needle
- mild fever
- headache.
Serious reactions such as allergic reactions are extremely rare. They usually occur within 15 minutes of receiving a vaccine. After you receive your vaccine, you should wait this amount of time before you leave to ensure your safety in case a reaction occurs.
If the patient experiences any symptoms in the following weeks that is concerning to them, the government encourages the use of the COVID-19 vaccine side effect checker website via health direct: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-vaccine-side-effect-checker
These resources support a consistent national response, crucial to success for a national rollout.
Telehealth platforms can also play a role in keeping patients connected to their healthcare provider during vaccination after-care. ‘Unprecedented’ has been used to describe many events in the last 12 months, and it is again apt in this new phase of our crisis response.
For the vaccination rollout to be effective the public should feel informed, supported and connected. Healthcare providers can use a telehealth platform for easy, convenient and secure follow-up-care for patients who would benefit from a follow up call. This peace of mind cannot be underestimated.
Additionally, the Federal Government and World Health Organisation have been clear in their advice that the vaccine does not eliminate the need for covid-safe behaviour.
We must continue to:
- practise good hygiene
- practise physical distancing
- follow the limits for public gatherings
- understand how to isolate if you need to.
Choosing telehealth where possible for connecting with your healthcare provider, is a safe way to stop the spread, not just for COVID-19, but for many other common viruses.
More information from WHO is available here:
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines
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