Social media has gained overwhelming traction over the past few years and current social distancing efforts are only adding to platforms’ popularity. Two recent trends gracing our social feeds are vaccine selfies and pictures of vaccine records, where those receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations post either a picture of themselves receiving the shot or of their filled-out vaccination record. These trends can help to educate people about the vaccine and encourage them to join in protecting those around them, but there are also potential dangers that come with sharing any personal information online. Here are some dos and don’ts regarding posting your COVID-19 vaccine on social media.
Do –
Share a personal message with your picture.
A study conducted by Civis Analysis revealed that personal stories, like those of younger people passing away due to COVID-19 or related complications, were found to raise the likelihood of those exposed to the story getting vaccinated by 5 percent. If you are sharing an image to commemorate your vaccine, telling people why you chose to get vaccinated may inspire them to do the same.
Invite people to ask questions.
This vaccine is still pretty new, so a lot of the population has questions on what to expect about the process of receiving the shots and the side effects it may cause. Make sure those viewing your profile know that they can ask you questions so that you can help dispel any incorrect information that they may have heard.
If your health care provider is in the picture, ask if it is ok for you to post it.
Those providing COVID-19 vaccines are people, too. They have their own lives, families, and social media pages. Odds are that you don’t want random people taking your photo and sharing it online without your consent, so an easy way around this is to ask if it’s alright for you to share an image with your provider in it, or to avoid including them in the picture altogether.
Don’t –
Don’t share a picture of your COVID-19 vaccination record card.
This card has personal information like your full name, birthday, and the location where you got your vaccine. The Better Business Bureau has warned that companies and individuals can record this information to use in a variety of ways. A safer option is to post a picture of your vaccination sticker or to share an image of you waiting for side effects after receiving a shot.
Avoid sharing a message that could be seen as disrespectful.
Many people are anxiously waiting to receive their vaccine, so it is important to be tactful when sharing your experience on social media. Getting vaccinated can be super exciting, especially due to the devastating effects the pandemic has had on families all around the world. When sharing your experience, be sure to include a message of hope that will remind those around you that we’re nearing the finish line.
Before Your Appointment
Regardless of whether you plan to share your vaccination experience on social media, remember to take precautions in other respects, like ensuring your doctor is aware of your allergies and pre-existing conditions, and sticking to the recommended vaccination schedule. When preparing for your vaccination appointment, remember to:
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Let your doctor know if you have had COVID-19 before.
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Let your doctor know if you have had an allergic reaction to another vaccine.
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Make an appointment for your second dose and stick with it.
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Continue to practice social distancing and other safety measures even after receiving both doses.
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Seek out facts and help educate those around you.
The only way we will return to some sense of normalcy is if we all do our part to protect those around us.
If you are interested in receiving a vaccine, VeryWell Health compiled a list of how to sign up for a vaccine in each state. Remember, the vaccines are being given to different groups in phases. Learn more about the current phase in this article from the CDC.
Got Medicare Questions?
We hope this information on posting your COVID-19 vaccine on social media is helpful to you.
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