Home> Media Center>Updates

COVID-19 vaccine: Answers to frequently asked questions

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: January 12, 2021 L M S

11.

Q: What are the likely side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: Common side effects include headache and fever, coughing, redness at the injection site, as well as loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

12.

Q: Why did I get a cold or fever after vaccination?

A: Some people may, by coincidence, have a cold, fever or other illnesses after vaccination. Such illnesses are not caused by the vaccine.

13.

Q: What are the dos and don'ts before and after vaccination?

A: People should report their health condition to medical workers before they are vaccinated, and stay at vaccination sites for about 30 minutes for observation after vaccination.

Keep the injection site dry, pay attention to hygiene and get proper rest on the day of vaccination.

In the week after the vaccination, avoid exposure to allergens, try not to consume spicy food or seafood, eat lighter foods and drink more water.

14.

Q: What should I do if I have side effects after vaccination?

A: Severe side effects usually occur in 30 minutes after receiving the shot, when the recipients are at vaccination sites for observation. You should immediately report any adverse reactions to the staff at the site.

The site staff will provide vaccination recipients with the contact information for a contact person. Should any side effects occur after returning home, report this to the contact person and go to the hospital for treatment if necessary.

15.

Q: Does vaccination fully protect me from the disease?

A: So far, no vaccine is 100 percent effective in protecting against a disease, so there may be a few people who don't fully produce a protective immune response and have the potential to get infected by COVID-19.

16.

Q: How long can the protective effect of the vaccines last?

A: The current evidence suggests that the vaccine can protect an individual for at least half a year.

17.

Q: Will a nucleic acid test give a positive result after vaccination?

A: In China, the nucleic acid test targets the virus antigen, and the domestic inactivated vaccines use a "killed" pathogenic microorganism that has completely lost its ability to infect and replicate. As such, vaccinated individuals will not get a positive test result.

18.

Q: Can women get vaccinated during their period?

A: Yes, women can be vaccinated during their period.

19.

Q: After getting vaccinated, do I need to get a nucleic acid test? Can proof of vaccination replace a nucleic acid test report?

A: Vaccination can reduce the rate of getting infected to a certain extent, but it cannot offer 100 percent protection. Those who have been vaccinated still have to cooperate with authorities for necessary nucleic acid tests in some cases.

20.

Q: After receiving a vaccine, what should I do if a serum antibody test comes up positive during entry-exit inspection?

A: When those who have been vaccinated receive a positive serum antibody test but negative result in other tests, they should show their proof of vaccination to authorities for further diagnosis.

< 1 2 3 >