Tips for Senior Citizens for Taking Covid Vaccine

Year 2020 was Covid Year, one of worst nightmare of humanity but then year 2021 came with HOPE, to overcome and WIN Covid.

Covid not only took millions of life, but brought Lockdown, halt of NORMAL activity to Live and Survive for billions of people all around the world. Worst sufferers were Older Adults, Senior Citizens, people age above 60 years and with mental physical disability. 

All over the world scientist, researchers, medical professionals and government have taken pain and unconditional effort to protect their citizens, humanity from Covid. This is first time in history in such a speed within one year a Vaccine had been developed for a most deadliest disease.

There has been also question on Speed Trials and effectiveness of vaccine, question are raised and misinformation are spread about vaccine. The scientific community and research body have assured the excellent effect of vaccine and cleared the doubts.  

There are different vaccine now available in limited quantity and some countries have prioritize vaccination for Seniors and older adults in nursing homes.

India has been actively involve in development covid vaccine and we now have 2 vaccine. India's regulators gave the vaccine an emergency approval in January 2021. 

At present there are two vaccine available in India, Covaxin of Bharat Biotech and Covishield The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer.

Indian government first started drive with vaccination of Health Workers and Front-line workers. From  March 01, 2021, senior citizens (those above the age of 60) and 'people over 45 years of age with co-morbidity' will be allowed to get inoculated across government and private hospitals in India.

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We at Silver Innings with our Experience working with Senior Citizens and vaccine site visit, noted important Tips for Senior Citizens and also for people with Dementia. Following are Tips and Suggestions:

1. Prior Registration is Mandatory with Government Recognized Id card on https://www.aarogyasetu.gov.in/ or https://www.cowin.gov.in/home 
2. Ask a family member or friend to help with scheduling an appointment.
3. There are Two Dose, 2nd one after 28 days of first dose
4. Vaccination at Government center is Free and Private Hospital Fees is Rs. 250//- 
5. Take your Registration Number / Beneficiaries Number 
6. Wear Mask and go
7. Before Vaccine, they take temperature, check oxygen and Sanitize hand  
8. Keep ready if any health /medical co-morbidity details
9. You might have to take token at center
10. The vaccination process is only 5 minutes but prior and post vaccination time is required
11. Be ready for long queue / waiting line
12. Take water bottle, biscuits, personal medicine; as you never know how much time it will take
13. Hand towel / tissue paper might be useful
14. Keep safe distance
15. Be relax and tense free, do not rush, all will get vaccinated
16. Better to take a family member / friend / caregiver for any help or support
17. When you go inside vaccination final room or before it, they will Register you, will fill your details Online and take photo, your Government Id card will be asked
18. At time of vaccination Nurse might tell you about the vaccine, why its given and how it will be useful, she will also tell the name of vaccine (if not then ask name of vaccine)
19. After vaccination, which hardly is for few seconds, you will be asked to sit for 30 minutes under observation, this is important because if any after effect you will be treated there 
20. After mandatory 30 minutes observation, they might give you some tablets to be only taken if any kind of minor post effect like fever, pain etc
21. Take Selfie at selfie booth of vaccination, that is wonderful historic memories
22. You might be given Vaccination Certificate or can get download from above website after vaccine    
23. Before leaving the place make sure that you take down contact details of medical officer / clinic details in case of any there side effect - like whom to contact
24. Remember to take 2nd mandatory dose after 28th day of 1st vaccine, infact you can ask at center when to come - you might have check on same registration website or you might get reminder message 
25. Please share your experience with family and friends and encourage others to take too  
26. For person with Dementia or Mental health, do take along medical papers, inform the health officers regarding same , do not hide mental health issue, a family member or care giver should not leave them alone anytime 
27. In case a person has allergies to medication, or drugs, it is important to inform the same to health officer at center or take clearance from your doctor get an all-clear from a medical practitioner.
28. For person between 45 years to 59 age group with co-morbidity, remember to take certificate from approved doctor and reference medical report 
29. Dementia and mental illness can be covered in co-morbidity with letter from doctor    

After getting the vaccine, some people have side effects. Common side effects include:

1. Pain where the shot is given,
2. Fever,
3. Tiredness
4. Headache for 1-2 days.

Important to note, Vaccine will help our immune system to recognize and fight an external virus threat,  might take few weeks after vaccination for the body to build (immunity) against the virus.

Even after getting the COVID  vaccine, you should still:

1. Wear a  mask that covers your nose and mouth when in public place / crowd 
2. Keep safe distance stay at least 6 feet away from others
3. Avoid crowds
4. Wash your hands often

As a citizen it becomes our duty and responsibility towards nation to take Vaccine and help in Nation building

By taking Covid Vaccine, we are not only protecting our self, but our family, our friends, colleagues, Community too from Corona.

Special note: This article is base on personal experience,  we request to take medical advice before taking any step.

Author : Sailesh Mishra, Founder - Silver Innings 

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