Preparation for COVID Vaccine: Why Hydration Matters
2020 was a difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bright spot has been how quickly and safely scientists brought highly effective vaccines to the public. If you’re getting ready to take a COVID vaccine, it’s vital to prepare a little. That includes knowing what side effects the vaccine may produce, assessing your medical history, and staying hydrated.
Here, we’ll give you advice on preparation for the COVID vaccine. We’ll cover considerations for people with a history of allergic reactions and the importance of hydration. Plus, you’ll learn how using an electrolyte powder like DripDrop can help fend off dehydration, which can worsen vaccine side effects.
Common COVID-19 Side Effects
There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines with emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.
When it comes to preparation for the COVID vaccine, most people are concerned about experiencing side effects. Fortunately, side effects are usually mild. More severe issues only affect a small minority of the population. All vaccines can cause a range of side effects. That’s why some of your friends may have had just a sore arm while others felt sick with a fever and chills for a day or two.
Remember, side effects are a normal part of vaccination. These vaccines prime your immune system to recognize the coronavirus and build antibodies to fend it off. Vaccine side effects occur because your body is developing an immune response. For the Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines, the first dose primes your immune system to recognize the virus as an attacker. The second dose revs your immune system up to attack the virus once it’s identified.
This is why some people experience more severe symtoms following the second Moderna and Pfizer shot compared to the first one. Based on the phase 3 trials, most side effects lasted less than 48 hours though in rare cases they may last up to a few days.
Here are some of the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine:
Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle pain
Chills
Nausea
Fever
More serious side effects can include allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, though these are very rare. Many of these basic side effects can be eased by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Additionally, use a solution like DripDrop to fend off dehydration, as dehydration can make some side effects worse. Drink DripDrop throughout the day — both before and after your shot — to manage hydration.
The Importance of Hydration
It’s no secret how vital hydration is for your health. What you may not know is that dehydration can make some vaccine side effects worse. Dehydration happens when water and electrolyte loss is greater than water and electrolyte intake. In fact, signs of dehydration can include headache, body aches, dizziness, and fainting. These side effects have also been linked to the COVID-19 vaccine in some individuals.
If you head to your COVID-19 vaccination appointment already dehydrated, you may be more likely to develop some side effects. That’s because dehydration often causes headaches, muscle cramps, and lightheadedness, and fatigue. Whether you’re heading to a mass vaccination site for your first dose or your doctor’s office for the second shot, focus on hydration before your appointment.
Hydrating after your shot is also important, especially if you have vaccine side effects like vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. That’s because these side effects cause rapid fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration.
Dehydration can also make your vaccine experience worse since it has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety. If you’re already nervous about taking the shot, being dehydrated can make matters worse. That’s because dehydration can elevate your heart rate and impact your mood. Plus, it leads to increased production of the stress hormone cortisol. All of these changes can increase anxiety. Make sure to hydrate before and after your shot, especially if you’re anxious about the injection.
When it comes to dehydration relief, DripDrop is in a category of its own. Built on 50 years of ORS science, our patented, doctor-developed formula is designed for unparalleled speed and amazing flavor. The patented formula provides medically relevant electrolyte levels, improving on the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) standards. AND it tastes amazing. It's powerful enough to use in extreme circumstances but safe enough for everyday use.
Plus, DripDrop supplies vitamins like zinc, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential to support your overall health. By comparison, sports drinks contain about one-third the electrolytes of DripDrop and twice as much sugar.
Preparation for COVID Vaccine: Top Tips
When it comes to preparation for the COVID vaccine, there are several things you can do to get ready. These include simple steps like wearing the right attire and discussing the shot with your doctor.
Whether you’re getting your first dose or second dose, there are ways you can prepare for your immunization. Here, we’ll show you how to prepare for your COVID vaccine. Plus, we’ll highlight the importance of hydration when getting vaccinated.
Hydrate
As mentioned, hydration is key to staying healthy. By staying hydrated, you’ll avoid dehydration, which can make common side effects worse. These can include headaches and fainting. Make sure to hydrate before your vaccine — CVS recommends drinking at least 16 ounces of water one hour before your appointment.
You can also sip an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop — which the WHO recommends for managing dehydration. DripDrop's patented formula is medically formulated with a precise balance of electrolytes to help tackle dehydration. It’s a fast, low-cost, proven alternative to IV therapy for the management of mild to moderate dehydration. It's powerful enough to use in extreme circumstances but safe enough for everyday use.
Wear the Right Clothing
Make it easy for the nurse or physician to give you your shot by wearing the proper clothing. The COVID vaccine is administered like a flu shot in your deltoid muscle on your upper arm. Stick to loose-fitting clothing or sleeveless shirts for easy access. If you live in a cooler climate, you can wear a sweater. Then, remove it when it’s time to get the jab.
Note: Since one of the main side effects is pain at the vaccination site, you may also want to get the shot in your non-dominant arm.
Discuss Medications With Your Doctor
In most cases, experts recommend continuing any medications that you are already taking, but it’s a good idea to discuss this with your doctor before your vaccine. That includes things like blood pressure medications. Talk to your healthcare provider before your COVID vaccine to go over your medications. A doctor can tell you which medications, if any, you should pause taking before getting the vaccine.
Naturally, many people have asked about taking pain medications before the shot to head off potential side effects. Experts recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen after your shot — not before, unless this is a medication you take regularly. That’s because these medicines may impact your immune response.
Address Allergies
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, it’s vital to take extra precautions when getting the COVID vaccine. If you have had an allergic reaction to an ingredient in a certain vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you do not take it. You can talk to your doctor about the potential for taking a different COVID vaccine, depending on your allergies.
However, if you have a history of allergies unrelated to vaccines — like pet dander, environmental allergens, or food — you can still get the COVID vaccine. When scheduling your shot or on the day of, let the vaccine provider know about your history.
In case you have an allergic reaction to the vaccine, most providers will monitor you for 15 to 30 minutes after your shot.
Get Some Rest
When it comes to general health, getting plenty of rest is key. The same goes for preparation for the COVID vaccine. Get a good night’s sleep the night before your shot and plan on taking the day easy if possible. Avoid drinking alcohol the night before and the day of, especially since alcohol can lead to dehydration. Plus, heavy drinking can lower your immune response. And don’t forget to bring your vaccination card to your second appointment.
Manage Dehydration With DripDrop
Preparation for your vaccine appointment is key. That’s true whether you’re getting the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine — which use MRNA technology — or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which uses a modified adenovirus.
However, preparation for the COVID vaccine doesn’t have to be intimidating. Focus on getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated with an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop.
When you're in a state of dehydration, water alone is not enough. Your body needs the perfect balance of sodium and glucose to help absorption. With the precisely balanced ratio in DripDrop's patented formula, you can replenish vital electrolytes and fluids to relieve dehydration quickly. Plus, DripDrop supplies vitamins like zinc, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential to support your overall health.
Medical-grade DripDrop allows you to alleviate mild to moderate dehydration outside of a hospital setting, without the need for costly and painful IV therapy. Our patented formula is powerful enough to help patients suffering from dehydration caused by Ebola and cholera but safe enough for everyday use. Plus, DripDrop tastes amazing and comes in a variety of flavors you can enjoy hot or cold.
For cases of mild to moderate dehydration, DripDrop is a fast, effective, and great-tasting remedy. The convenient packaging allows you to have DripDrop when you need it, where you need it.
Get started with our most popular multi-flavor pouch for dehydration relief fast. Or, learn more about how you can save up to 25% on every purchase when you subscribe.
Best Sellers