Self-monitoring before your COVID-19 vaccine
It is very important that you monitor how you are feeling in the days leading up to your vaccine appointment. If you do not feel well, rebook for when you are feeling better.
Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will the vaccine work for me?
- All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe, and they do not contain any live virus. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.
- Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. They agree that unless you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine because the risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19 outweigh the risk of side effects from the vaccine.
- People with kidney disease and who take certain medications for kidney disease that suppress the immune system weren’t included in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines. We do not know exactly how much protection the vaccine will give people with kidney disease or who take these medications compared with people who don’t.
- However, the way the vaccines work means that there is a strong chance that your immune system will learn to protect you from severe COVID-19.
What about the medications or treatments that I take?
- Most medications, including most immunosuppressant’s that some people with kidney disease take, are safe to take alongside vaccination—even on the same day as your vaccine. If you have questions about your medications and the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your health care provider.
- If you take medications for another condition and you aren’t sure if you need to consider timing, contact your health-care provider.
How else should I plan for my vaccine appointment?
- Review COVID-19 Immunization Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
- In the 2-3 days leading up to your vaccine, monitor yourself: is anything about how you usually feel new or getting worse? If you aren’t feeling like your usual self, rebook your vaccine appointment for another day. Consider reaching out to your health care provider about your worsening symptoms.
- If you have a fistula, please let the person administering your COVID-19 vaccine know. It is recommended that your COVID-19 vaccine is given in your non-fistula arm.
What or who should I bring with me?
- Please bring your non-expired MCP card to your appointment.
- You can bring any medical or mobility equipment that you need.
- If you need to, you can bring a trusted friend, family member or caregiver with you to support you through the process. Please only bring one person.
What happens after my vaccine?
- Everyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine will stay on location to be monitored for 15 minutes after they get their vaccine.
- You should tell a health-care provider at the vaccination site if you do not feel well.
- If you have any new or worsening symptoms once you go home, please call your health care team or 8-1-1. If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Everyone will have to continue following COVID-19 public health measures, even after getting their vaccine.
My vaccine planning checklist
- Read the COVID-19 vaccine information for my condition(s)
- Time my vaccine appointment around my medication and treatments (if relevant to me)
- Talk to my doctor if I have any questions or need any help planning my medication
- Monitor how I’m feeling leading up to my vaccination appointment. Is anything new or getting worse compared to how I usually feel?
- Make sure I am feeling my usual self on the day of my vaccine appointment
- Plan to bring the medical and mobility equipment I need with me
April 23, 2021