The possibility of vaccine side effects influences the decisions that many people make about vaccines. What many do not know is that their actions can directly impact vaccine safety. In other words, certain steps and precautions may reduce the chances of complications from a vaccine shot. Here are five different things that you can do in order to reduce the chances that you may suffer a side effect from your vaccination.
Do Your Research
One of the most important vaccine safety tips that we can give you is that you should take the time to do your own research and educate yourself. There are many people out there on the internet who have their own opinions that they are more than willing to share with you. The problem is that many of these opinions are not rooted in facts.
When you become informed, you have the ability to make the right decisions for yourself and your family free of all of the hysteria and tension that characterizes any discussion of vaccines these days. At a minimum, this means that you should do some research into each vaccine that you need to get in order to learn the contents of the vaccine. In general, you must learn about the injections that you are getting so you know what to expect. In addition, you should also study the potential side effects. This includes the recognized and real complications as opposed to the ones that are rumored.
Education and research will make sure that your healthcare decisions are rooted in science and reality. There is plenty of information available, including from the CDC, about vaccines and you should invest the effort into reading it before you make any decisions. You can get knowledgeable even without an advanced degree.
Know Your Allergies
Some of the worst side effects of vaccines occur due to a severe allergic reaction after the shot. An anaphylactic reaction can send people to the hospital for emergency care and can result in difficulty breathing. While these reactions are relatively rare, those that occur can be significant and life-threatening.
Most people have no idea what is in their vaccines. As we advised above, take the time to learn the contents of the vaccination. Then, make sure that you know what you are allergic to in order to avoid the possibility of a reaction.
Many people do not know that people with egg allergies can be at risk for an adverse reaction to a vaccine. The toxin is not the only content of the vaccine as it can have adjuvants and stabilizers. Thus, egg products end up being a part of many vaccines. Some people can even experience an issue with a latex allergy when they get a vaccination because the medical technician will be wearing gloves. Compare the contents of the vaccine against your list of allergies to make sure that there is not a conflict to keep yourself safe.
Go to the Right Place for the Vaccine
When we talk about the proper place for a vaccine, we mean offices or businesses where you are confident that the person administering the injection is fully trained. There are many different places popping up that give on-the-spot flu injection. The truth is that you do not always know whether the person who is putting the needle in your arm is properly trained to do so.
The consequences of an untrained person administering your vaccination can be serious and long-lasting. One of the more prevalent injuries that people experience from these injections is something called SIRVA. This side effect has nothing to do with the actual contents of the vaccine. Instead, it comes from the fact that the technician injects you too high on your shoulder.
SIRVA can be debilitating and decrease the range of motion in your shoulder. It is fully avoidable because it is an issue of technician error. In order to avoid this, make sure that you get your vaccinations from reputable places with a track record of providing service that you know will have trained technicians administering the injection. The consequences of not doing this can greatly impact your quality of life.
Another error that the technician can make is selecting the wrong type of needle for the vaccine. This can also lead to injury. It is vital to be able to trust the competence of the person who is giving you the injection.
Be Seated in the Proper Position
As we just mentioned, a mistake in vaccine injection can lead to complications. Try to make it easy for the people administering the injection. There is a proper position for vaccinations. The best way to receive a vaccine is seated in an upright position. Try to relax as much as you can so the technician can administer the injection in the right place. Any sudden movements can result in an error that can lead to injuries like SIRVA.
Know Your Family History
Even if you are not allergic to something or have a condition yourself, there may be something in your family history that could make you more likely to experience a side effect from a vaccine. Make sure that you are aware of any conditions in your family that could make you more sensitive to complications.
Sometimes, you may not know of certain allergies and only find out after you have a reaction. However, if you know of something that runs in your family, you can discuss it with your physician ahead of time to get their opinion on the proper course of action.
Similarly, if you are getting your child vaccinated, you should alert their pediatrician of any allergies that you or anyone else in the family may have so the doctor can run tests if necessary or make other vaccination decisions.
Even if you take these steps, there is always a chance that you may be injured from a vaccine. When that happens, a vaccine injury lawyer can help you file a claim with the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program that can result in financial payment for your injury. The Law Offices of Sadaka Associates can guide you through this process and advocate on your behalf. Contact them today for a complementary evaluation of your case.
