April 21, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

In the slow journey toward returning things to a pre-pandemic normal, vaccination is a boost in the right direction, especially for businesses.

“I’d encourage all employers to lead the way by getting vaccinated themselves and encourage their employees to do the same,” said Ryan Vanden Bosch, Avera assistant vice president of primary care. “With more variants of the virus appearing to spread, now’s the time. Vaccine supplies are higher than ever – we just need more arms for them.”

The state of South Dakota recently joined with health systems in the state, including Avera, Sanford and Monument, to urge people to get vaccinated. Time is of the essence in light of the variants that are appearing.

Available, safe and effective

Millions of people across the United States have been vaccinated. The vaccine is proving to be effective against preventing severe illness, hospitalization and deaths – even for the emerging variants.

Vanden Bosch has been a part of many Avera mass vaccination efforts. He reminds business owners that when your teams are safer via the shot, it helps on many fronts.

“Vaccine can help alleviate sick leave or the challenges that come with workers who need to quarantine,” he said. “It’s safe and effective too. We all know the danger of COVID-19 and what it’s led to in our communities.”

With each day, availability of vaccine increases. Anyone 16 and older can now get the shot.

“Employers can encourage their teams to visit the sign-up websites and make their appointments. We are now offering walk-in availability every day as well,” Vanden Bosch said.

Visit your health provider’s site or one from a drugstore or pharmacy that is offering appointments.

The few side effects are mild or short

Vaccines do have some side effects in some people. In most cases, they include:

• Soreness in the site of injection, which is the shoulder.
• Flulike symptoms such as headache, fatigue or fever.
• Difficulty concentrating or a sense of “foggy” mental feelings.

“These effects are quite mild, and not everyone reports them,” Vanden Bosch said. “The duration for them is also quite short, in most cases less than 48 hours, so even if you have them, you won’t have them for long.”

Using a cold compress on the injection site, as well as getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated, also can help offset the effects of the vaccination.

“Side effect risks are much less worrisome than the virus itself,” added Vanden Bosch.

Quick results lead to long-term benefits

Businesses, fellow employees, customers and the general public all benefit from workers who have been vaccinated, and Vanden Bosch said the process is simple.

“From arrival time to departure, including the 15-minute observation period, we usually see people for about 20 minutes,” he said. “I know businesses are tired – we all are tired – of the pandemic, but this is a great way to move us closer to its end. We can’t give up now.”

Learn more about Avera vaccination offerings and how to make your appointment here.