COVID-19

Believe it. COVID-19 is still with us. But thanks to the vaccines we have to protect us, health and hospitalizations are way down! You can see the CDC’s tracker HERE. The virus is still mutating, and scientists are adjusting vaccines to address the newest variant. 

The good news is that in the U.S., vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older! If you haven’t already, get the latest vaccine now!

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FAQs     |     Vaccines      |     At Risk     |     Testing & Treatment     |     Long COVID

Questions About
COVID-19 Vaccines?

Can I Still Be Vaccinated?

Yes, in the United States, vaccination is available to everyone 6 months and older. Check with your doctor, your health plan or use Vaccines.gov to find out where you can be vaccinated now.

Can Children Be Vaccinated for COVID-19?

Yes, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved to use for those 6 months to 18 years though they may have different dosages (CDC). The other available vaccines are for those 18 and over. Watch for updates in available vaccines for children.

Should You Get the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine?

In the fall there is usually a new COVID-19 vaccine available formulated to combat the anticipated strain of COVID-19. This is a similar process to the annual flu vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive this vaccination.

Where Do You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The CDC refers people to the Vaccine Finder. All locations may not be listed. Be sure to ask your health plan or provider what might be closest. Pharmacies near you may also have vaccinations available (CDC). You can look up your local health office by scrolling to the bottom of the page found here. Most vaccination sites require you to make an appointment.

What Happens When You Get Vaccinated?

A vaccination is a simple injection (shot) in the arm. (Note, a nasal spray is available to healthy people 2 to 49 years old for the flu vaccine.)

After you get a vaccination, you may have minor reactions such as a sore arm or low-grade fever. These symptoms should go away within a few days at most. Remember, vaccines are continually monitored for safety, and like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects which are usually minor. However, a decision not to immunize also involves risks and could put you and your loved ones and others who come into contact with you at risk of contracting a potentially deadly disease (HHS). 

Will You Be Immune Once You Get the Vaccine?

Vaccines often provide long-lasting immunity to serious diseases without the risk of serious illness. They do not always provide 100% immunity, but always lessen the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from the disease. Learn more HERE.

Is There a Treatment for COVID-19?

Yes, there are treatments for COVID-19. They are only available by prescription and must be started within the first 5-7 days of developing symptoms. You can go HERE to learn more or read further down on this page.

The COVID-19 Vaccines Then & Now

The vaccines available now are not the same vaccines we first saw to combat the pandemic. The COVID-19 virus has evolved, and our vaccines have evolved with it. Our scientists have had years now to work on vaccines to fight the virus. They respond to changes in the virus to design vaccines specifically to address and fight the latest version of the virus.

The CDC recommends everyone six months and older be vaccinated for COVID-19 (CDC). A new vaccine is available now.

Click Below to Learn More

Who is At Risk for COVID-19?

Some people remain at risk for more severe cases of COVID-19. Specifically, those at high risk of getting very sick, even dying, from COVID-19 include:

  • Older adults (over 65 years) represent more than 81% of COVID-19 deaths.
  • Chronic medical conditions increase an individual’s risk and that risk goes up with the number of conditions. A chronic disease or condition is one that lasts 1 year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living or both. Having one or more chronic diseases places individuals at greater risk for harsh effects from COVID-19. Half of all American adults have at least one chronic condition, and almost one in three have multiple chronic conditions (CDC).
  • Some people are at increased risk because of where they live or work, or because they can’t get health care. This includes many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.
  • Children and teens can also be sick for the same reasons as adults such as those with underlying medical conditions. Like adults, children and teens with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or who are immunocompromised can also be at increased risk. Visit the CDC for specific recommendations for children (CDC).

COVID-19 Testing & Treatments

If you believe you might have COVID-19, you can purchase an at-home test kit at most pharmacies. If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test (GoodRx). You can also call your doctor. If they believe it is appropriate, they will send you to get a test to determine if you do have COVID-19. Visit here for more information on testing.

If you test positive, you may talk to your doctor about taking an anti-viral medication which must be started within five days of the first symptoms. There are several treatments for COVID-19. They include anti-virals, and monoclonal antibodies (CMS). You can also visit what’s new in COVID-19 treatment at the NIH.

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Long COVID & Other Issues

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or years after a COVID-19 infection has resolved. Symptoms can vary but often include fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, joint pain, and heart palpitations. Even individuals with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases are at risk of developing Long COVID.

The best way to avoid Long COVID is to prevent getting infected with COVID-19. Key preventive measures include:

Get vaccinated: COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and Long COVID.

Practice good hygiene: Regular handwashing and wearing a mask in crowded or high-risk areas can help lower exposure.

For the latest research and guidance on Long COVID, visit trusted health sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Yale Medicine.

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Pfizer / BioNTech Vaccine

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (Pfizer) was the first to be authorized in the U.S. Data from their Phase 3 study of nearly 44,000 people (42% having diverse background) has shown their vaccine candidate to be 95% effective in helping to prevent COVID-19. This was consistent across age, race and ethnicity demographics. In adults over 65 years of age, effectiveness was over 94%.

Things to Know

This vaccine requires two doses, delivered by injection, three to four weeks apart. It is approved for those 5 years old and over. If you have an existing condition or have had a reaction to a vaccine, please consult your doctor. The vaccine does not contain eggs, latex or preservatives (CDC).

Side Effects

According to the FDA, the most commonly reported side effects were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. More people experienced these effects after the second dose than after the first dose, and they lasted several days.

Moderna Vaccine

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is approved by the FDA. It is marketed as Spikevax for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older (FDA). Early results from the Moderna clinical trials showed their vaccine to be “94.1% effective with more than 30,000 participants in the U.S. in the trial.” Its success was consistent across age, race and ethnicity, and gender demographics. The Cove study (Phase 3 trial) included those over 65, with chronic health conditions, and “individuals who self-identify as people of color” (Moderna).

Things to Know

The Moderna vaccine requires two doses, one month (28 days) apart. It is recommended for people aged 18 years and older. The vaccine does not contain eggs, preservatives or latex. You should not get the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to the first dose or any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol) (CDC).

Side Effects

Moderna is a mRNA vaccine. According to a Moderna news release, “no serious adverse events were noted in the trial." Reactions to the vaccine include potential pain, redness, and swelling in the arm and tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea in the rest of the body (CDC).

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the third vaccine approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. In clinical trials it was reported this vaccine prevented hospitalization and death (J&J).

"The J&J vaccine was tested in more people who identified as Hispanic/Latino and Black or African American. It was also tested in more people who were 60 years or older and in those who had conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes" (Duke Health).

Things to Know

This vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. It is easier to store than the mRNA vaccines and requires only one dose. The vaccine is approved for people 18 years old and older. If you have previously had a reaction to a vaccine or to any ingredient in the vaccine, you should not get the J&J vaccine (J&J/CDC).

Side Effects

The most common side effects include injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle ache and nausea. These usually happen 1-2 days after being vaccinated. The symptoms are reportedly mild to moderately severe (FDA). However, according to the CDC, "women younger than 50 years old especially should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after vaccination, and that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen. If you received a J&J/Janssen vaccine, here is what you need to know. Read the CDC/FDA statement" (CDC).

Novavax Inc. Vaccine

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccination is approved by the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization for individuals 18 years of age and older as a two-dose primary series (FDA). Results from Novavax’s Phase 3 clinical trial called PREVENT-19 found “the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted demonstrated 90.4% efficacy” with “29,960 participants aged 18 years and older in the U.S. and Mexico” (Novavax). Novavax Inc. is currently in trials to study the efficacy of their vaccine on children aged six months to 17 years old.

Things to Know

The vaccine requires two doses in the primary series, 3-8 weeks apart, but has not been approved for a booster dose. People who are severely immunocompromised are recommended to get their two doses three weeks apart. The vaccine does not contain any eggs, preservatives, latex, metals, tissues, or antibiotics (CDC).

Side Effects

According to Novavax Inc. the most common side effects experienced in Phase 3 were pain and tenderness at the injection site, fatigue, and muscle pain. These reactions were seen after the first and second dosage (Novavax).

Anti-Virals

Antivirals are NOT a substitute for Vaccination (FDA). The CDC recommends everyone be vaccinated fully. For more information visit the CDC.

 

Paxlovid

In December 2021, the FDA gave Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Pfizer for Paxlovid. Paxlovid was the first oral antiviral pill for COVID-19 to receive any type of authorization in the U.S.

Paxlovid is available by prescription only and should be used as soon as possible after diagnosis and within five days of symptom onset in adults and shilcren over 12 at high risk for developing severe illness. Learn more at WebMD.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is an intravenous antiviral medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients 28 days or more old and weighing 3 or more kilograms. In high-risk, non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, Remdesivir should be started within 7 days of symptom onset and administered for 3 days. It can also be used for hospitalized adults. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through an IV catheter placed into one of your veins. Talk to your doctor to see if this medication is right for you (Mayo Clinic).

Lagevrio

As of December 2024, the emergency use authorization for Lagevrio has expired. 

Evusheld

For Those Immunocompromised Before They Contract COVID-19

Evusheld is a long-acting antibody for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

It is a combination of two potent, monoclonal antibodies administered in two intramuscular injections. EVUSHELD is designed to provide pre-exposure protection against COVID-19 to those who are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

In multiple independent laboratory studies, EVUSHELD had neutralizing power against Omicron subvariants, as well as the original strain of COVID-19.

Who is eligible?

Immunocompromised adult and pediatric individuals 12 years of age and older (weighing at least 88 lbs) who are not infected with SARS-CoV-2 are eligible to receive EVUSHELD for pre-exposure (PrEP). For those who recently received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether it is a first, second, or booster dose, FDA advises to wait two weeks before administration of Evusheld.

There are a range of conditions that compromise the immune system, from underlying disease to immune suppressing treatments that qualify a patient to receive Evusheld; in addition, the rare individual for whom a COVID-19 vaccine causes a severe reaction is also a candidate. You can review the NIH (NIH Guidelines Panel’s prioritization) eligibility here, and please contact your doctor for more information. For more information go here.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Read More About them Here

Monoclonal antibodies (moAbs or mAbs) are proteins made in laboratories that act like the proteins or antibodies in our bodies. Antibodies are parts of your immune system. They look for foreign bodies (antigens) and stick to them in order to destroy them. Laboratory-made monoclonal antibodies stimulate your own immune system.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are not discussed much, and their availability is low. Production and obtaining quality mAbs that are safe, efficient, and accessible can be difficult as is their high cost. However, the mAbs could prove helpful for people who cannot become vaccinated due to 

medical contraindications and those who remain at risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection due to medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and COPD with low levels of antibodies (NIH).