After the vaccination of health officials, from this Monday, February 7 in Chile, it began to apply the fourth dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 to people aged 55 and overwho have received their first booster dose by August 15, 2021.
Faced with the scheduling of a new vaccination scheme for Chileans, the nurse and founder of Medical Group, Mildred Mayranswers a series of questions so that those who attend the vaccinations do so fully informed:
Could this fourth vaccination affect me more?
Chile is one of the few countries that has already started with the second booster dose, so, for the time being, no major adverse effects have been known.
However, Israel began this scheme in people over 60 years of age or older in December and according to studies by the Ministry of Health of that country and the Sheba Medical Centerthe fourth dose would present the same slight discomfort as the first and second injection.
The most common symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and headachein general, they disappear after 48 hours, a period in which it is good to monitor or observe.
What signs should I watch out for when getting vaccinated?
It is important to be attentive to the state of health before visiting the vaccination centers.
If there is suspicion of contact with a person diagnosed with covid+, it is better to wait to get vaccinated, since feverish symptoms can be complicated by the vaccine and others are exposed to contagion of the virus.
The Ministry of Health has dates for latecomers, so that no one is left without their vaccine.
Once at the health center, it is only necessary to present the identity card and proof of vaccination that can be downloaded at www.mevacuno.gob.cl.
If I am an older adult and have a chronic disease, what precautions should I take before getting vaccinated?
The Department of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS), considers that the target population of patients with comorbidities between 18 and 64 years of age amounts to almost two million people: 1,906,664.
Chronic patients such as hypertensive, for example, are a priority within the vaccination scheme. “A lot of water, at least 2 liters of water the day you are going to receive the booster dose.
The most important is hydrate well before, during and after vaccination.
If there is a feeling of fatigue or headache, it is recommended to take 1 g of paracetamol every 8 hours. Also, if you have pain, redness or excessive sensitivity in the puncture area, you can put a cold damp cloth, not frozen, that is, moistened with tap water, not refrigerated or subjected to the freezer”, explained Mildred Mayr.
It is good to mention that if the older adult presents more serious symptoms (fever, sore throat, significant fatigue, difficulty breathing) they should immediately consult a doctor, since, most likely, it is not because of the vaccine but because of presenting some intercurrent pathology, among which is Covid-19.
Can I get vaccinated if I am not in my community of residence?
As the Undersecretary of Public Health, María Teresa Valenzuela, expressed this Tuesday, “those who are not in their usual place of residence, can do so in mobile vaccination clinics. They can access vaccination anywhere in Chile.”
Who should not be vaccinated?
The cases in which the vaccine is suggested, or rather contraindicated, are those that have a strong allergic reaction to any of the compounds in the vaccine and in cases of acute febrile illness. This decision should always be made under the recommendation of a doctor.
