CHARLOTTE – It’s an all-out sprint to get the public vaccinated against COVID-19 and Novant Health is opening new appointments daily to vaccinate as many people as possible. As you prepare to get your two shots, here are seven things to know before rolling up your sleeve.
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Vaccines are by appointment only
Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment. Arriving at your appointment time will help us complete your visit without delays. Keep in mind, a mask must be worn at all times.
If you need assistance, one guest may accompany you on your visit. This guest must be free from COVID-19 symptoms, cannot be under quarantine, and cannot have a pending COVID-19 test.
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Do not get vaccinated if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms
Please do not visit the vaccination site if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, are under quarantine, or have a COVID-19 test result pending. Please contact your primary care physician and reschedule your vaccination when you are symptom-free.
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Check-in online prior to your scheduled appointment
We ask that you log into MyChart prior to your scheduled appointment to complete the check-in. You will be asked to verify personal information, complete your travel history, take a short questionnaire, and sign documents. The process is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes. Filling it out at home before the appointment is the easiest way to complete the eCheck-in and will help make your appointment and everyone else’s go smoother. Once you’re finished, you will receive a notification that thanks to you for using eCheck-in, saying the information you submitted is now on file.
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Wear clothing that allows access to your upper arm
Similar to the flu shot, the COVID-19 vaccine is administered in the upper arm near the shoulder. Wear loose clothing to avoid removing clothing, as other people will receive the vaccine in the same room.
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Do not take acetaminophen prior to your appointment
If you experience arm soreness, chills, or a headache after the shot, experts recommend taking acetaminophen or NSAIDs to alleviate symptoms. However, taking these medications prior to vaccination (in order to prevent post-vaccination symptoms) is not currently recommended, as it’s not yet known if it could interfere with the vaccine-induced antibody responses.
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Do not delay other vaccinations or medications
The recommendation right now is not to take any medication adjustments for the vaccine. Don’t let your medicines interfere with you scheduling the vaccine when it’s available to you. If you do need to receive another vaccine, such as the shingles vaccine or a tetanus shot, just be mindful to separate the shots by at least two weeks.
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Wait at least 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine
It is recommended that people wait 15 minutes before leaving the vaccination site – just to be certain that there is not an allergic reaction. While a reaction is rare, it’s important to wait for a short period of time while there is medical supervision. Those who have a history of adverse reactions to injections are advised to wait 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes. Patients should also tell their provider if they’ve had a bad reaction to an injection in the past.
