(Info from the CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html)

All the COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible. Systems that allow CDC to watch for safety issues are in place across the entire country.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to meet rigorous safety criteria and be effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. Watch a video describing the emergency use authorization. Clinical trials for all vaccines must first show they meet rigorous criteria for safety and effectiveness before any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, can be authorized or approved for use. The known and potential benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine must outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine.

You may be concerned about getting vaccinated now that COVID-19 vaccines are available in the United States. While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Learn more about the different COVID-19 vaccines.
• All COVID-19 vaccines that are in development are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19. Learn more about how federal partners are ensuring COVID-19 vaccines work.
• Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Experts continue to conduct more studies about the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on severity of illness from COVID-19, as well as its ability to keep people from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

Talk to your doctor online, by phone, or e-mail.

• Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or e-mail.
• Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed.

If you must visit in-person, protect yourself and others

• If you think you have COVID-19, notify the doctor or healthcare provider before your visit and follow their instructions.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when you have to go out in public.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.
• When paying, use touchless payment methods if possible. If you cannot use touchless payment, sanitize your hands after paying with card, cash, or check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

To learn more visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/doctor-visits-medicine.html

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may feel like flu and may even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

For more information, download our flyer:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/pdfs/321466-A_FS_What_Expect_COVID-19_Vax_Final_12.13.20.pdf

Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is expected to be limited at first, CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. CDC’s recommendations are based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts.

The recommendations were made with these goals in mind:

• Decrease death and serious disease as much as possible.
• Preserve functioning of society.
• Reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.

HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL AND RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES SHOULD BE OFFERED THE FIRST DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES

CDC recommends that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine be allocated to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents. This is referred to as Phase 1a. CDC made this recommendation on December 3, 2020.

To learn more visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html

Travel can increase your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. If traveling to visit family or friends, you should be thought of as an overnight guest and take all recommended precautions for 14 days upon arrival:

• Wear a mask that covers both your mouth AND nose.
• Avoid close contact with those you are visiting by staying at least 6 feet apart.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Improve ventilation by opening windows and doors.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Learn more about Travel and Overnight Guests: https://bit.ly/2LLah4F

Attending a small celebration? Take these steps to make the #Holidays safer:

• Bring your own food, drinks, and utensils.
• #WearAMask and store it in your pocket or purse while eating and drinking.
• Avoid going in and out of food prep spaces.
• Space seating at least 6 feet apart for people who don’t live with you.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or if unavailable, use 60% alcohol hand sanitizer.

More tips: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/winter.html

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe.

Holiday celebrations will likely need to be different this year to prevent the spread.

Who should NOT attend a holiday gathering:

Do not host or participate in any in-person gatherings if you or anyone in your household:

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others
• Has symptoms of COVID-19
• Is waiting for COVID-19 viral test results
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Do not host or attend gatherings with anyone who has COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

Learn more at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#holiday-celebrations

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.

People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

When to Quarantine?

People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19—excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again.

People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.

What counts as close contact?

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
• You shared eating or drinking utensils
• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

This Thanksgiving, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Also consider these tips:

• Avoid crowds. Shop online sales the day after Thanksgiving and the days leading up to winter holidays.

• Use contactless delivery or curbside pick-up for purchased items.

• Shop in open-air markets and stay 6 feet away from others.

More tips:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html