Taiwan maintains a Level 3 alert due to the ongoing local outbreak. In addition to washing hands frequently, wearing masks, and minimizing visits to places where people gather, the ultimate solution to the outbreak is vaccination. Currently, Taiwan has purchased the following brands: AZ (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna vaccine, local (high-end, United Asia) vaccine, and possibly the BNT vaccine in the future.
1. Medical personnel
2. Central and local government epidemic prevention personnel
3. High-exposure front-line workers
4. Those who need to leave the country due to special circumstances
5. necessary to maintain the functioning of the community
6. persons (or persons in their care) in organizations and social welfare care systems
7. Personnel necessary for the proper functioning of national security.
8. Elderly persons aged 65 or above
9. Disease risk groups that may increase the risk of infection and severity of disease
10. Adults aged 50-64
Not available to adolescents under 18 years of age, those with a history of severe allergic reaction to vaccine components, those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine, or those with Thrombocytosis and Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Vaccination Precautions
1. For those who have fever or are suffering from acute moderate to severe illness, it is advisable to wait until their condition has stabilized before inoculation.
2. AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been associated with the very rare condition of Thrombocythemia Medullaris Syndrome (TMS) following vaccination. Please discuss with your physician to assess the risks before vaccination.
3. Avoid inoculation in patients with previous thrombosis combined with thrombocytopenia syndrome or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
4. This vaccine should not be used interchangeably with other brands. If two doses of a different COVID-19 vaccine product are inadvertently administered, it is not recommended that either product be revaccinated.
5. This vaccine should not be given at the same time as other vaccines, and the recommended interval between COVID-19 and other vaccines is at least 14 days. If the interval is less than the above, no additional vaccination is required for each vaccine.
6. Immunocompromised persons, including those on immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to vaccines. (Data on immunocompromised persons or persons undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are not available.)
7. Currently, there is a lack of clinical trials and safety data on the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women, and clinical observational studies have shown that pregnant women infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be more prone to severe disease than the general population. Pregnant women who are at high risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19 or who have chronic illnesses that may lead to serious illnesses should discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with their physicians and evaluate whether to receive the vaccine.
8. If a breastfeeding woman is a recommended risk group (e.g., a healthcare worker), she should complete the immunization. The safety of COVID-19 vaccination in breastfeeding women and the effects of the vaccine on breast milk or the nursing infant have not been fully evaluated, but are generally not considered to pose an associated risk. Breastfeeding can be continued after COVID-19 vaccination.
1. For immediate management of severe allergic reactions of the immediate postvaccination type with very low incidence rate, please take a short break and stay at or near the vaccination site for 15 minutes after vaccination, and then observe yourself closely for 15 minutes after leaving the site. However, for those who have previously suffered an acute allergic reaction after vaccination or any injection treatment, please stay at or near the vaccination site for at least 30 minutes after vaccination.
2. For those who are using antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs or have abnormal coagulation function, apply pressure to the injection site for at least 2 minutes after the injection and observe whether there is still bleeding or hematoma.
1. Most of the possible reactions to this vaccine are pain, redness and swelling at the site of inoculation, which usually disappears within a few days, and can be treated with appropriate ice packs.
2. Fever (≧38℃) may occur after vaccination, which usually resolves in about 48 hours. Other possible reactions include fatigue, headache, muscle soreness, elevated body temperature, chills, joint pain and nausea. These symptoms decrease with age and are usually mild and disappear within a few days.
3. If there are any symptoms such as redness, swelling, hard lumps and abscesses at the site of vaccination, persistent fever, or severe allergic reactions (e.g., difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or generalized red rash), please consult a doctor as soon as possible and inform the doctor that you have received the vaccine before for diagnostic reference, and at the same time, please ask the doctor to notify the local Department of Health or the Office of the State Disease Control Administration.
4. If any of the following symptoms occur within 28 days of vaccination, seek immediate medical attention and provide a history of vaccination:
*Severe persistent headache, vision changes or epilepsy
*Severe and persistent abdominal pain for more than 24 hours
*Severe chest pain or difficulty in breathing
*Swelling or pain in the lower limbs
*Spontaneous hemorrhages, ecchymosis, violet spots on the skin, etc.
5. After completing the vaccination, although the rate of COVID-19 can be reduced, there is still a possibility of contracting SARS-CoV-2, and the public still needs to pay attention to health care and various preventive measures to maintain health. The public still needs to pay attention to health care and various preventive measures to maintain their health.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Health and Welfare Department or Sunyu Academy.
Source:
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Disease Control Department
Image Source:
Wellness Magazine
