5 questions patients should ask before getting the Covid-19 vaccine

It’s your turn for the Covid-19 vaccine. But how much do you really know about what’s being injected into your body? While the vaccine has been deemed to be safe, it’s important to advocate for yourself and be sure you are receiving a vaccine with maximum efficacy and safety.

How much do you know about the vaccine you’re being given? The medical equipment that goes with it? What do you do if something goes wrong?

Lifelong patient advocate and Xcelrate UDI Founder Joan Melendez, recognises that healthcare staff may not always be ensuring maximum safety. “The best way to be safe, is to stay educated. Doctors and nurses see hundreds of people a day, so the best person to look out for yourself is you.”

Here are the 5 questions patients need to have answered before getting the vaccine:

“I have allergies. Should I be taking this vaccine?”

If you have had a reaction to a vaccine in the past, ask your doctor about which of the Covid-19 vaccines are best suited to you.

Other chemicals in specific Covid-19 vaccines can cause allergic reactions, so be sure to double check previous allergies against your specific vaccine.

“Is there anything added after thawing of the vaccine? If so, what’s in it?” 

The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only Covid-19 vaccine that requires a diluent, which must be 0.9% sodium chloride -- known as ‘natural saline’, preservative free. If you are taking any medications that interact with this, make it known to the doctor.

“How long has this syringe with the vaccine inside been out of storage?”

Once thawed, the Pfizer vaccine must be used within 6 hours. The Moderna has to be used within 12 hours, or 6 hours from the time of first puncture. As more vaccines enter the market, it’s best to double check yours is still effective and safe.

“How do you know this vaccine dose is 100% safe and effective?”

Each syringe being used should have a scannable barcode, and a tracking number. You can use this number on the FDA website to track the vaccine batch and check for updates on recalls and other notices.

If I have an adverse event (ie. a bad reaction) due to the Covid-19 vaccine, what can I do?

You should report adverse events directly to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). You can also search VAERS data for reported adverse events. 

Vaccine safety comes down to more than just the vaccine. There’s a syringe involved, a diluent in cases, and other medical products. If any of these are recalled, you could be at risk.

Over 31,139 adverse events have been logged in VAERS, 1,391 of which were fatal. How can you protect yourself? Have these questions on hand when receiving your vaccine to keep yourself safe.

For more tips on how to advocate for yourself and ensure your safety, read our blog on what patients need to know about medical recalls.