The story of vaccines and many questions that many people want to know, whether it is about effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages, and side effects if injected.
In the previous episode, everyone saw the journey of the vaccine from 1,200 doses for medical personnel to the mission of 2 million doses for 600 people per day for all Thai people from the interview of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phruhat To-udom, Director of Thammasat University Hospital, who revealed information about the Sinovac vaccine, the vaccine imported for injection in Thailand, and understanding why 30 minutes is necessary after vaccination.
In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phruehat To-udom also emphasized to us that “prevention is more important than cure”. The more medical knowledge people have, the better they will learn to prevent various diseases. This shows that knowledge and understanding are the best weapons in the fight against COVID-19.
And now, the admin will take everyone to increase their knowledge about vaccines through an interview with Dr. Tod, Associate Professor Dr. Thana Khocharoenphon, infectious disease physician, and Dr. Toon, Assistant Professor Dr. Pichyapha Ruchiwichan, respiratory and critical care physician, who will help everyone understand more about COVID-19 and vaccines.
When the COVID vaccine raises many questions
The issue of vaccines is something that everyone has probably seen a lot of questions about, whether it is in the matter of debates about the effectiveness of the “Sinovac vaccine” on various social media, which has both correct and incorrect information.
Dr. Tod gave information about this matter that the Sinovac vaccine is an inactivated vaccine. This means that this vaccine will reduce the severity of symptoms to the point of having no symptoms at all. But it does not mean that after the injection there is no chance of infection. We can still get infected and spread the virus. At this time, there is no vaccine in the world that can prevent COVID 100%. In terms of vaccines that prevent the spread of COVID, Dr. Tod said that we still have to follow up first.
After getting vaccinated, do I not need to wear a mask?
“Even if we have been vaccinated, we can still get infected and spread the virus, but it’s not severe.”
This is a misunderstanding among most people because the Sinovac vaccine will reduce the severity of symptoms, but people can still get infected and spread the virus. After vaccination, everyone still has to protect themselves and wear masks as usual. But rest assured that if you get COVID-19, your symptoms will be milder or you may not have any symptoms at all.
Why is there a 30-minute waiting period after vaccination?
Since each person’s body is different, when receiving a vaccine, our bodies will respond differently. The thing that the medical profession must watch out for the most is a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine that may lead to death, or a mild allergic reaction such as dizziness, nausea, muscle aches, etc. Most allergic reactions to vaccines will occur within 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine, so close monitoring is required so that the doctor can provide immediate care if an allergic reaction or any unusual symptoms occur.
News of death due to allergic reaction after vaccination
Some people are worried because they may have received news from abroad that someone had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine, leading to death.
Dr. Tod explained to us that death due to vaccines can occur from many factors, such as age, underlying diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, which some underlying diseases can cause allergic reactions to vaccines. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe, or even fatal.
“We ourselves must know whether we should get vaccinated or not.”
The doctor told us that the government has now made a checklist of who can get the injection, who has what restrictions, what drugs, and what should those with underlying diseases do?
In addition, there is also the Mor Prom application that provides knowledge about self-examination before vaccination and provides advice after vaccination to increase the safety of vaccination to another level.
What happens if COVID-19 infects the lungs ?
Everyone has probably heard the famous reputation of “pneumonia” from various media outlets talking about the effects of COVID.
Dr. Toon told us that lung infections can occur from touching, sniffing, or receiving the infection through the air, which will immediately go down to the lungs. Even scanning your fingers and not washing your hands can cause infection, as was previously reported in Thailand.
But in fact, some seriously ill patients who come for treatment, most of them recover and can live a normal life. But our lungs will have “scars” as black spots on the lungs. We may run and get tired faster than before. Or when climbing the stairs at home, we may have slight shortness of breath. It takes time to take care of the scars so that they fade away. Then our lungs will be able to function normally again. But the best thing, Dr. Toon said, is to “take good care of yourself and don’t get sick.”
“Wash your hands frequently, always wear a mask. If you are sick, quarantine yourself at home first. But if you have been in close contact with a COVID patient, immediately go to the hospital.”
What Dr. Tod and Dr. Toon emphasized to us, which is an important point, is that whether we are vaccinated or not, everyone still has to protect themselves, try to wash their hands often, wear a mask, and try to monitor their symptoms at all times. If there is an abnormality in the first step, please quarantine yourself first. But if you know that you have been in close contact with a patient or a risk group, please come to the hospital immediately. During this time, you must always take care of your health to be strong.
Conclusion
Regarding vaccines, by now we probably understand more about how necessary and important they are and how vaccination can reduce the severity of COVID-19 that may happen to us.
Therefore, even after getting vaccinated, we can still get infected and spread the virus. Prevention is something that should be made a part of our daily routine, not just for our own safety, but for the safety of those around us, including others in the society we live in.
Although COVID can be cured and people can return to their normal lives, the aftermath of COVID treatment still leaves “scars” on the bodies of all those who have been infected. As both doctors told us, “It’s better not to get COVID.”
As for the vaccine, people are currently being vaccinated. Admin believes that the situation in Thailand will improve soon and people will be able to return to living outside the home like they did at the beginning of this year.
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Follow the story behind the crisis and the actions of medical personnel at Thammasat University Hospital in dealing with the COVID situation in the program Unmask Story, stories behind the masks of medical personnel at Thammasat University Hospital.
Vaccines and the many questions that experts want to answer | Thammasat University Hospitalยรติ
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