Seeking your COVID vaccination? Good luck with that. With Jiangsu Province all but out of some types of vaccines, so questions are being asked by many “stuck” between their first and second injection. Official local health authorities have the answers.
Yesterday, experts from the Jiangsu Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave authoritative answers to the trending topic that is the second injection for COVID vaccination.
Can my second shot be from a different manufacturer?
Yes. Jiangsu CDC experts say that if vaccines from a particular manufacturer are not in continuous supply, or the recipient is to receive their second shot in a different place, a vaccine of the same type from another manufacturer may be used to complete the vaccination. Do not wait to receive the second shot from the same manufacturer. For example, it is perfectly alright to use Beijing Biotech (Sinopharm) for the first shot and Beijing Kexing (Sinovac) for the second shot, because they are the same type of inactivated vaccine.
Is it a problem if I don’t get the second shot within the recommended time frame?
Not really. The interval between the two shots is recommended to be 3 weeks, but the second shot may be taken up to 8 weeks after the first, without affecting the safety and protection effect of the vaccine.
I got sick after the first shot. Can I still have the second?
Probably. If you experience the onset of a chronic disease or contract an acute cold, for example, the condition should be controlled and treated first before having the second shot. After the onset period has passed or the chronic disease has been controlled, it is safe to continue with the second shot. If there are adverse reactions, such as a fever or a mild skin rash, after the first shot, these will usually disappear by themselves over time. No special treatment is required and it is safe to proceed with the second shot. Only in the case of acute allergic reaction, angioedem or dyspnea, for example, should you not proceed with the second shot.
What should I do if I find that I am pregnant after the first shot?
Nothing. The technical guidelines issued by the National Health Commission are very clear on this point. If you find you are pregnant after receiving the first shot or you have had a vaccination not knowing you are pregnant, it is not recommended to take any special medical measures. It is absolutely not necessary to terminate the pregnancy, but it is recommended to do a follow-up pregnancy check up.
Do I have greater immunity if I have a stronger response to the second shot?
No. Some people find that the second jab is more painful, while others have other differing reactions to the two shots. The reality is that specific adverse reactions vary from person to person; they are related to the constitution of each individual and not signs of greater immunity.
Overall, the message from the Jiangsu CDC is very clear. Get vaccinated. There are very few excuses.
