WCPO Viewer Sharon Cunningham of West Chester reached out on Facebook to ask if it’s wise to get tested for COVID-19 before getting a shot.
Dr. Steve Feagins, medical director of Hamilton County Public Health and chief clinical officer at Mercy Health, said there's no need to get tested before a vaccine appointment.
“We've had individuals who have received the vaccine who have not had symptoms,” he said. “Like anytime you go into a place now, you’re kind of checked for temperature or symptoms, which they do at the vaccine sites. And a day or two later, they ended up with a positive COVID test.”
Feagins said it’s possible those individuals got a vaccine while they had the virus but weren't showing symptoms.
According to the CDC, people who have COVID-19 symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered and have met the criteria to stop isolating from other people. Those without symptoms should also wait until they meet the criteria before getting vaccinated. That guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 between vaccine doses.
Prior to giving vaccinations, Feagins said sites check patients’ symptoms and temperature. What happens if they don’t pass that check?
“So as you would if you entered any healthcare facility, it would be recommended for testing at that time, or at least evaluation,” he said.
If you had COVID-19 and recovered, the CDC still recommends you get vaccinated. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, the CDC recommends waiting 90 days before getting vaccinated.
This month, WCPO 9 is taking your questions about COVID-19 vaccines and posing them to local health care experts. Email newsdesk@wcpo.com or message @KristynHartmanWCPO on Facebook with your name, neighborhood and question, and you could see an expert answer it on air.
