In this blog, we interview our Family Health Clinic Nurse Practitioners and special guest Jenny Walden from the Indiana Primary Care Association to talk about COVID-19 Vaccine symptoms and answer all of your questions.
Experiencing symptoms from the vaccine is normal, and should not cause alarm. We hope this blog helps you better understand the vaccine and how it works!
What should people know about the vaccine and its potential side effects/symptoms?
“Most of the time your arm will be sore but remember this is minimal to having to be hospitalized with covid” – Sandy Bushman, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
“It sure can be scary to come in to receive your vaccine. You are wondering if what you are doing is the right thing. So many conversations have gone on all around you. It can be overwhelming.
“I was concerned as well about the side effects. I heard some pretty crazy stories. So I asked myself, who is telling these stories? I needed to consider the source. So I asked my Nurse Practitioner what she thought.
“She explained that there are some side effects with this vaccine, but most people had mild symptoms like headaches and feeling tired for a day or so. For me personally, I had a headache and felt tired the next day, but by the time I went to bed, I felt fine. To me, if this was any indication of what COVID was like, I was thankful for the vaccine. I trust my medical professional.” — Jenny Walden, Outreach and Enrollment Specialist at the Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Inc.
“I would tell them the vaccine is safe and very effective. There are a few side effects, but it is due to your immune system responding to the vaccine and there is no COVID virus in the vaccine.” – Jennifer Coddington, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
“Feeling a little ill means your building antibodies! That is what we protect you from the virus.” — Amy Aeschliman, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
What would you say to someone who might be hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
“There have been over a million before you, so they have set the path and enabled a lot more to be discovered so you can benefit from this vaccine.” – Sandy Bushman, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
“I understand that you are nervous because so much has happened in the last year. I was too. There are so many different stories about the virus and the vaccine it can be overwhelming. When I have questions about my health, I turn to my nurse practitioner as she has never steered me wrong before. She explained to me that science has studied a version of this virus for quite a few years so when the virus started mutating to its current state, the medical world was already prepared. Add in technology that we have today and the scientific communities access to worldwide research they were able to create the vaccine.
“We have created so many vaccines that have eradicated other illnesses. Like polio, chickenpox, measles, mumps. Not only will the vaccine help prevent you from contracting COVID, but will also help prevent the spread. This is the key to getting back to “normal”. Being able to see loved ones again, to hug those that mean the most to us.” — Jenny Walden, Outreach and Enrollment Specialist at the Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Inc.
“The vaccine has been proven safe and effective and has been vetted rigorously through the FDA. You cannot get the virus by taking the vaccine. Side effects are low and generally mild. Side effects are due to your immune system’s inflammatory reaction to build immunity.” – Jennifer Coddington, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
“I would ask them to look at some historic photos of polio outbreaks and of people in iron lungs. Because of science we no longer have polio outbreaks(or varicella, measles, mumps, ect). Vaccines work and they are safe!” — Amy Aeschliman, Nurse Practitioner at the Family Health Clinic
Still have questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine Symptoms?
It’s understandable to have questions about the vaccines you receive. We recommend talking to your primary care provider about any concerns you may have.
Don’t have a primary care provider? The Family Health Clinic is accepting new patients. Call (800) 321-5043 to make an appointment today.
Interested in making an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccine? You can learn more at https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/.
