COVID-19 Vaccination

What is COVID-19

COVID-19 is a very contagious viral disease.
Individuals who have had COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms: from mild symptoms to severe diseases.

Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus, and individuals can experience mild to severe symptoms. Therefore, vaccination is strongly advised to mitigate the risk of transmission.

COVID-19 symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to those of the flu and include:

• Fever
• Shivering
• Coughing
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Breathing difficulties or respiratory distress
• Headache
• Muscle pain or pains in various body parts
• Cold or runny nose congestion
• Throat ache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of taste and/or smell

COVID-19 complications

COVID-19 complications include pneumonia, severe respiratory distress, and even death.

Older adults aged 65 and over are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications due to underlying conditions and a relatively weak immune system compared to the general population.

Why should we get vaccinated against COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated safety and effectiveness in reducing the risk of severe illness and death associated with them.

Typically, any potential side effects following vaccination are mild and transient. The discomfort caused by these side effects is minimal when compared to the potential complications of the disease.

Furthermore, COVID-19 outbreaks do not occur on an annual basis, and the level of protection provided by the vaccine decreases over time.

Therefore, once every several months, the Ministry of Health advertises guidelines recommending the administration of an additional vaccine dose every few months.

Adverse events occurring shortly after receiving the vaccine

Adverse events occurring shortly after receiving the vaccine can differ from individual to individual. Some vaccinated people will not experience any adverse events whatsoever, whereas others will feel only mild discomfort and continue their routine as usual. Other vaccinated people may experience mild symptoms that affect their daily routines. These symptoms usually pass within several days.

Potential side effects:

• Injection-site pain, redness, or swelling
• Fever
• Shivering
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Sleepiness
• Fatigue
• Nausea

In exceptional instances, adverse events can result in severe conditions. There is a very rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, associated with the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19, mainly among men aged 12–39. This risk can be reduced by extending the time interval between the first and second dose.

Extremely rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were reported among women who received the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

Very seldom severe allergic reactions may occur (anaphylactic) after vaccination. After receiving the vaccine, you may have to wait in the clinic for at least 15 minutes, as the vaccination clinics have an appropriate medical equipment for treating such conditions. People who have developed any severe allergic reaction in the past will be requested to wait for half an hour.

Further information regarding medical care following vaccination

COVID-19 vaccine types

Israel has authorized only vaccines that have been deemed safe and effective by the FDA: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Novavax.

Starting in September 2022, Israel offers a vaccine specifically targeting the omicron variant, known as Pfizer's bivalent vaccine. The intention of this vaccine is to offer enhanced and comprehensive protection against the current variant. It is recommended to receive a single dose of this vaccine. This vaccine is designed for the general population: those who have been vaccinated and those who have not been vaccinated.

It is important to note that it is possible to receive both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine simultaneously. This is particularly recommended at the beginning of winter. To accommodate the high demand for vaccines, it is recommended to receive vaccinations at the start of the vaccination campaign conducted by your HMOs, which typically occurs in October each year.

The COVID-19 vaccines are available through all HMOs.