LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine met the requirements to be approved for emergency use.
An advisory committee is now set to meet Friday and is expected to recommend that the vaccine be approved.
With another vaccine possibly coming to the market, many are asking how they should prepare to receive the vaccine and how it may affect them.
"Before I was getting questions about the vaccine itself and now the questions have been more of those people who just don't like shots," said Angela Sandlin, the pharmacy director for Baptist Health La Grange.
No matter which vaccine you're set to receive, health experts said there are things you can do to curb any side effects.
They recommend that you not take ibuprofen or any fever-reducing medications before receiving the shot and that you refrain from taking them until at least six hours after the injection. They also suggest wearing a short sleeve shirt to your appointment.
When scheduling your appointment to receive the vaccine, you should wait at least 14 days after receiving any other types of vaccines. Officials say you should limit food intake directly before or after the shot and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
You can exercise after getting your shot, but you should not rub or massage the injection site to try to reduce soreness.
Sandlin says side effects like chills, headaches, a fever or nausea are common but won't happen to everyone.
"As we get older, our immune symptoms do decrease in functionality just a little bit. Your vaccine is still protecting you, but you might not quite get the response that younger people get," said Sandlin.
Sandlin says younger patients are more likely to experience flu-like symptoms because their immune response is typically stronger than older patients, and their bodies will react more aggressively to the injection.
Sandlin said hives or the swelling of the mouth could be signs of an allergic reaction, and you should contact a medical professional.
Currently, two vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the United States. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on the market are both over 94% effective. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine that is pending approval from the FDA is 66% effective.
Despite the difference in percentages, Sandlin says the one-dose vaccine is proven to work against various strains of the virus, like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
If Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is approved for market, local health officials say you likely won't be able to pick which you receive.
"I wouldn't get caught up in the percent. I would get the vaccine that is available to me. They're safe, they're effective, they're doing their job," Sandlin said.
For information on how to schedule an appointment in Indiana and Kentucky, click here.
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