Spanish Vocabulary and Resources for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available, it is would be useful to learn a few Spanish words to help the Spanish-speaking population with this next step of the pandemic. (See Spanish Vocabulary for the Coronavirus Pandemic for more words and phrases related to the virus.) Let’s start out with general vaccination vocabulary.
General Vaccination Vocabulary in Spanish
to vaccinate (someone else) = vacunar
to vaccinate somebody against COVID = vacunar a alguien contra el COVID
vaccine = la vacuna
vaccination = la vacunación
injection = la inyección
You should…. (shouldn’t…) = (No) debe…
be/get vaccinated = vacunarse
Side effects (Efectos secundarios)
redness = enrojecimiento
inflammation = inflamación
swelling = hinchazón
muscle aches = dolores musculares
fatigue = fatiga / cansancio
fever = fiebre
headache = dolor de cabeza
nausea = nausea
chills = escalofríos
joint pain = dolor en las articulaciones
Let’s say you wanted to tell your patients about some possible side effects. What can you say? Here is an example:
Puede tener enrojecimiento, hinchazón o dolor donde se dio la vacuna. La fatiga, la fiebre, el dolor de cabeza y dolor en las articulaciones tampoco son infrecuentes en los primeros tres días después de la vacunación.
More Vocabulary (Más vocabulario)
research = las investigaciones
studies = los estudios
risks = los riesgos
benefits = los beneficios
first dose = primera dosis
second dose = segunda dosis
Outside COVID-19 Resources in Spanish
I am not a medical professional, but I do trust scientists and the medical community who have dedicated their life to the profession. As to not reinvent the wheel, I have compiled a list of resources from reputable sources for additional Spanish-learning opportunities, as well as resources to share with your Spanish-speaking friends, colleagues, and patients.
8 Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program
8 datos importantes acerca del Programa de vacunación contra el COVID
Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States
Garantizar la seguridad de las vacunas contra el COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
Preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacunación contra el COVID-19
Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Información para entender cómo actúan las vacunas de ARNm contra el COVID-19
What to Expect at Your Vaccine Appointment
Información sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-10
COVID-19 Vaccines: Get the Facts
Vacuna contra la COVID-19: Obtén la información verdadera
Videos
Perhaps you would like to practice your listening skills or have resources to show to the Spanish-speakers in your life. I have only embedded the Spanish video, but make sure to check out the English version below it if you'd like to compare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAyS8JdTBHw
How Would COVID Vaccines Work in Your Body? (Washington State Department of Health)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KITjkA-xMh0
Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine (Minnesota Health) - English
News Clips in Spanish Related to the Vaccine
Would you prefer to hear Spanish-speaking doctors and patients talk about their experiences with the vaccine? Don't forget that you can also put on the Spanish captions by clicking the "CC" button in the bottom right corner of the YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZwlAlDht8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-pUeUc3YWA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O3JAcbLuBY
Comments or Suggestions?
I hope these vocabulary words and phrases help you in your job and in the next phrase of the pandemic. If you have any suggestions for what I can add to this post, please email me at twilliams@prontospanish.com and I’ll be sure to get you the vocabulary you need.