NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — More than 380,000 Tennesseans have received the COVID-19 vaccine. As more people get vaccinated, physicians want to make sure they’re not being given disinformation.
There are a few things infectious disease specialists want to remind the public about. First of all, don’t believe false information about the vaccine. Doctors and researchers say it’s safe.
Research shows 75% to 80% of adults must get vaccinated before we can get back to some normal behavior. Even if you’ve had COVID-19 and recovered, doctors say you should still get vaccinated.
Vanderbilt Professor of Infectious Diseases Dr. William Schaffner says you just need to wait 90 days after you’ve recovered from the virus to get it and hold off on the shot if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr. Schaffner says even after you’ve been vaccinated, keep wearing your mask and social distancing for now.
“I’m protected by the vaccine against getting serious disease. What we don’t know yet it could in harbor the virus and spread it to others. The vaccine prevents me from getting ill but may not prevent me from being a dreaded spreader,” Schaffner said.
The CDC says do wait at least 14 days before or after getting another vaccine, like a flu or shingles shot. Also, remember to get the second dose, which acts as a booster.
Meanwhile, vaccine companies are taking steps to make sure people are protected as new COVID-19 variants emerge across the world. As a result, Dr. Spyros Kalams, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said companies are already thinking about next-generation vaccines, and incorporating the changes so they combat new variants.
