On April 19, 2021, President Joe Biden tweeted that nationwide, every adult was eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In California, the coverage expanded to anyone 16 and over on April 15th.
Along with this news comes the update that all CSU campuses will require students to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person classes or use on-campus facilities next year, so long as the FDA approves the vaccine. As such, you may be looking to schedule your vaccine soon and wondering what to expect when your appointment date comes.
If you’re looking to schedule your vaccine, check https://vaccinefinder.org/search/ to find locations near you. The Cal Poly Coronavirus Information page details how to book an appointment on campus or in San Luis Obispo, and it also includes answers to frequently asked questions about the vaccine and the university’s COVID policies.
When your first dose date comes, be sure to remember your photo ID and show up to your appointment early. In general, patients do not experience symptoms other than arm soreness after their first dose.
For your second dose, however, side effects can be much worse, regardless of which type of vaccine you get. Some common side effects include flu-like symptoms like chills, fatigue, fever, and pain in the joints, muscles, or injection site. Typically, young people have worse reactions to the vaccine, so expect to relax for a day or two following your second dose. Drinking water, moving and massaging your arm, and taking painkillers may help to alleviate side affects.
Vaccines are going to be essential to returning back to normal, and potentially required to return to school in the fall. Check out the CDC page for more information, and keep staying safe and following local guidelines to keep yourself and others healthy.