Before The Booster Vaccine, Know 7 Things To Prepare

Illustration of what to prepare before booster vaccine (Unsplash/CDC)

JAKARTA – The booster vaccine is the third dose of vaccine injection. The reason for giving a booster vaccine is to strengthen the body's immunity in fighting the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

As reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Wednesday, January 12, this third dose of vaccine is given after a minimum of 5 months after completing two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Recipients of the booster vaccine are people aged 18 years and over and living in districts or cities that have reached 60 percent of the second dose of vaccination.

Before getting a booster vaccine, prepare the following things.

1. Allocate time

After getting a booster vaccine schedule, allocate sufficient time to administer the vaccine. Because, when the time you have is not specifically allocated for injections, it will be rushed. Take into account at least the trip to the injection site, allocate it to waiting in line to get an injection, and wait for a 30 minute lag time to see the reaction of AEFI (Post Immunization Adverse Events).

2. Wear comfortable clothes

Vaccine injection is done in the arm, so choose clothing that allows easy injection. For example, wear clothes that are loose and easy to open at the sleeves, such as loose-fitting t-shirts with jackets or shirts on the outside.

3. Eat nutritious and adequately hydrated foods

Before injecting the vaccine, eat nutritious food at home. Or at least fill the stomach so it is not empty. In addition, some people will feel nervous before getting the injection. You can even feel dizzy or light-headed because of nervousness.

To reduce the effects of nervousness, eat nutritious foods and drink enough water. As reported by the University Health Center page, Nebraska, it turns out that drinking enough water helps the body be better prepared to get vaccines.

4. Avoid intense exercise before booster vaccines

Exercise is beneficial for health, but before doing a booster vaccine, avoid doing strenuous exercise. This makes the body unprepared for the vaccine shot. You can exercise at a moderate to light level to stay relaxed.

5. Keep your body fit

A fit body can be obtained when doing a healthy lifestyle. Such as eating regularly, getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and having a healthy body condition. For example, when you feel unwell, your blood pressure is too high, and you have a fever, the booster vaccine injection should be postponed because the body is considered not ready to receive the vaccine.

6. Adhere to health protocols

Vaccination is done to reduce the severity of the effects when exposed to the virus and suppress the emergence of new variants. However, as reported by the page of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, transmission can occur and cannot be controlled unless you comply with health protocols.

So, use masks correctly, wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizers, and maintain a safe distance to minimize transmission.

7. Take a break

Some people may need adequate rest after getting the vaccine. Maybe your body has AEFIs, and you don't feel well. So, take time off, avoid strenuous exercise, and other intense activities after and before booster vaccines.

The above are several things that need to be prepared before getting the COVID-19 booster vaccine.