Is it COVID-19 or a Vaccine Reaction?

COVID-19 vaccination commonly comes with side effects, such as sore muscles or a fever. If you have symptoms after getting the vaccine, you may wonder if it’s safe to work or go about your tasks safely. Employers may wonder if it’s safe for a staff member to return to in-person work. It can take 1-2 weeks after your second shot before you are fully protected, so you could still come down with COVID-19 if you are exposed before then. It is also important to remember that each person’s immune system works a little differently and the vaccine won’t work for approximately 1 in 2500 people who are vaccinated.
This new chart helps you understand if you are reacting to the vaccine or if you might need to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate. If you have symptoms in the middle category, you may wish to seek medical care or to wait and see. If your symptoms go away in a day or two, it may have been just a vaccine reaction. If they continue or you feel like you should, seek medical advice. If there’s a possibility you have COVID-19 or were exposed, please stay away from others as a precaution.

State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127

For the COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from the Washington State Department of Health as of 2-18-2021 click here.