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- What does the vaccine do? Is it safe?
- The vaccine can help you and others from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can also help stop the pandemic. In clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine was 95% effective at preventing COVID-19, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 66.3% effective. Previously, the CDC had paused the use of the J & J vaccine due to risk of blood clots but on April 23, the CDC recommended that the use of this vaccine resume.
- If you had COVID-19 can you still get the vaccine?
- Yes, you can still get the vaccine even if you’ve previously had COVID-19 but you need to wait 90 days after being treated for COVID-19 before you can get the vaccine. It’s not yet known how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19 so the CDC still recommends that you get vaccinated.
- What are the vaccine’s side effects?
- Any vaccine can have side effects and they’re actually a sign that your immune system is building up protection. Side effects are normal however, the CDC is advising that people do not take anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen before getting the vaccine.
- Common side effects of the vaccine are similar to flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle ache
- Nausea
- Chills
- What can you do after you’re fully vaccinated?
- People aren’t considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after their second dose
- Even after being fully vaccinated, the CDC still recommends that you should continue to:
- Wear your mask
- Stay 6 feet apart from others
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated areas
- Wash your hands
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested and stay home if you have any symptoms
- You can now:
- Be inside a home or private setting without a mask with other fully vaccinated people of any age or with a household of unvaccinated people who aren’t at risk of severe illness
- Travel domestically without a pre- or post-travel test and without quarantining after travel (some states may have different guidelines)
- Can you still get or spread COVID-19 after you’ve been vaccinated?
- It’s possible to contract COVID-19 in the time between your first and second dose. Dr. Ian Hoffoman from Humboldt’s Department of Health and Human Services said that he’s seen some cases where this has happened but they have been mild cases and most people have not been very sick or they’ve been asymptomatic. One shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is not enough to fully protect you. The CDC recommends that you also get a second dose in order to be fully vaccinated. Cases of contracting COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated are rare but they have happened, they’re known as “vaccine breakthrough cases”. No vaccine is 100% effective but getting vaccinated does greatly lower your risk of contracting COVID-19. It’s also important to get tested even after you’ve been vaccinated, here are some testing locations in Humboldt:
- Locations gathered from DHHS (Test Registration | Humboldt County, CA – Official Website (humboldtgov.org)
- Arcata
- Site Location: Arcata Community Center, 321 M.L.K. Jr. Pkwy
- Testing Dates: Mondays
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Eureka
- Site Location: Redwood Acres, 3750 Harris St., Eureka
- Testing Dates: Seven days a week
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Fortuna
- Site Location: River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Dr., Fortuna
- Testing Dates: Wednesdays
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Garberville
- Site Location: SoHum Health Sprowl Creek Campus, 286 Sprowl Creek Rd., Garberville
- Testing Dates: Tuesdays
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Hoopa
- Site Location: Tsewenaldin Inn, 12482 CA-96, Hoopa
- Testing Dates: Thursdays
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Mckinleyville
- Site Location: Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Rd., McKinleyville
- Testing Dates: Fridays
- Schedule a test by phone: 888-634-1123
- Schedule a test online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Scotia
