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Salone COVID-19 Vaccine: What you need to know

HomeNewsSalone COVID-19 Vaccine: What you need to know

Salone COVID-19 Vaccine: What you need to know

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We are all eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

When and where do I go to receive it?

The currently available COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to eligible persons between Monday 22nd March, 2021 and Friday 2nd April, 2021. If you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine you should go to one of the following COVID-19 vaccination centres on a Monday-Friday during this period, during working hours, to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

District Covid-19 Vaccination Centre

Makeni Government Hospital, Kamabai CHC, Bonthe Government Hospital, UBC Hospital Matru, Falaba Mongo CHC Falaba, Bo Government Hospital Koribondo, Kailahun Government Hospital, Nixon Segbwema, Kenema Government Hospital, Panguma Hospital Kono, Koidi Government Hospital, UMC Jiama Swafe, Kambia Government Hospital, Madina CHC, Koinadugu Kabala Government Hospital, Alkalia CHC, Karene Kamakwie Hospital, Gbinty CHC Port Loko Port Loko Government Hospital, Lungi Hospital, Pujehun Government Hospital, Zimmi CHC Moyamba Government Hospital, Njala University, Tonkolili Magburaka Government Hospital, Mile 91 CHC, Western Rural Waterloo CHC Goderich, CHC Western Urban Lumley, Hospital Rokupa Government Hospital, Kinghamman Road Hospital and Macauley Street Hospital.

What should I take with me when I go for the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have a valid national ID card or other form of ID you should take this with you, but if you don’t it does not matter – you can go without ID.

What will happen when I go for the COVID-19 vaccine?

When you first enter the vaccination centre someone from the vaccination team will explain to you the process and you will wait in the waiting room until it is your turn to be screened.

Next, members of the vaccination team will: Ask your some questions so they can check that you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and register you on the system (if you are not eligible you will leave after this).

Explain how the COVID-19 vaccine protects you from COVID-19. Check that you understand and consent to be given the COVID-19 vaccine. Inject the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine into your upper arm. Observe you for 15-30 minutes to check that you don’t have any allergic reactions. Tell you when to return for your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Give you your COVID-19 vaccination card.

Will the COVID-19 vaccine give me any side-effects?

You may experience some mild side-effects such as pain, redness and swelling where you were injected, and tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever or nausea in the rest of your body. These are a normal sign that your body is building protection against the disease and should go away in a few days.

How can I manage mild side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?

To help manage mild side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine you can: – (For pain where you were injected) Press clean, cool, wet cloth on your arm and move your arm around to reduce swelling – (For general body pain and fever). Drink lots of water, rest, wear light, cool clothes.

What should I do if I feel sick or I am worried I am having an adverse reaction after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you feel sick after getting the COVID-19 vaccine (beyond normal mild side-effects mentioned in Question 28), or if the side-effects have not gone away after three days, you should contact your nearest healthcare worker. If it is serious sickness or an emergency, as always, seek medical assistance immediately.

Will I still be fully protected from COVID-19 if I only take one dose (of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine)?

No, if you have only taken one dose (of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine) your body will have built some protection against the disease but not all, and the protection it has built may not last long. The second dose of the COVID19 vaccine strengthens and completes the protection and your body’s ability to fight the disease long term.

When do I go back for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

After receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, someone from the vaccination team will advise you of when you need to return for your second dose. This could be between three and twelve weeks, depending on which COVID-19 vaccine you were given and available appointments.

I missed my COVID-19 vaccination appointment for the second dose, what do I do?

You should go back for your second dose on the date specified, this is the correct time to receive the second dose.

If you miss your second dose appointment a healthcare worker will contact you to make arrangements.

Do I still need to wear a face mask and follow other preventive measures once I have been vaccinated? Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine prevents you from getting seriously sick or dying from COVID-19, but it is not yet known if vaccinated people can still be infected with the disease and spread it to others, without knowing it.

This means that until we learn more, vaccinated people should continue to wear a face mask and follow other preventive measures to protect those who haven’t been vaccinated.

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