COVID-19 Information (Huntington Health Physicians)

COVID-19 Vaccine Basics

The COVID-19 vaccine is a shot that teaches our immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s the same idea behind the flu shot that Americans have been getting since the 1940s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization for the use of COVID-19 vaccines to help stop the spread of the virus.

Q. Why should I get the vaccine?

A. SARSCOV2 is a very dangerous and infectious virus that can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death.  We have all seen the effects of this global pandemic.  More than 5.7 BILLION doses of COVID vaccines have been given worldwide. They have proven to be very safe and very effective at preventing serious disease, hospitalization and death. To control this virus and finally move on from this pandemic we will have to vaccinate as many people as we can throughout the world.  High vaccination rates protect you, your family and your community and are the most important and safest tool we have in conquering this terrible disease.

COVID-19 variants: The COVID-19 variants circulating now are very contagious, an important reason for everyone to get vaccinated. In addition, vaccination can prevent more variants from being created.

Q. Researchers developed the COVID-19 vaccine quickly. How can it be effective and safe?

A. Studies found that the two initial vaccines are effective with no serious or life-threatening side effects. There are many reasons why the COVID-19 vaccines were able to be developed so quickly. Here are just a few:

• The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna utilize mRNA technology which was developed over 25 years ago. This technology has been studied with other viral diseases.  The enormous number of cases of COVID during this global pandemic have allowed the more rapid evaluation of safety and efficacy of this technology.
• China isolated and shared genetic information about COVID-19 promptly, so scientists could start working on vaccines.
• The vaccine developers didn’t skip any testing steps, but rather conducted some of the steps on an overlapping schedule to gather data faster.
• Vaccine projects had plenty of resources, as governments invested in research and/or paid for vaccines in advance.
• Some types of COVID-19 vaccines were created using messenger RNA (mRNA), which allows a faster approach than the traditional way that vaccines are made.
• Social media helped companies find and engage study volunteers, and many were willing to help with COVID-19 vaccine research.
• Because COVID-19 is so contagious and widespread, it did not take long to see if the vaccine worked for the study volunteers who received the vaccine.
• Companies began making vaccines early in the process — even before FDA authorization — so some supplies were ready when authorization occurred.

Source: John Hopkins Medicine

Q.I heard the COVID-19 vaccine was developed with or contains controversial substances. Is this true?

A. The first two COVID-19 vaccines to be authorized by the FDA contain mRNA and other, normal vaccine ingredients, such as fats (which protect the mRNA), salts, as well as a small amount of sugar. These COVID-19 vaccines were not developed using fetal tissue, and they do not contain any material, such as implants, microchips, or tracking devices.

The COVID-19 vaccine is a shot that teaches our immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s the same idea behind the flu shot that Americans have been getting since the 1940s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization for the use of COVID-19 vaccines to help stop the spread of the virus.

Q. The COVID-19 vaccine is brand new. Should we wait to see if it really works?

A. The mRNA technology behind the new coronavirus vaccines has been in development for almost two decades. Vaccine makers created the technology to help them respond quickly to a new pandemic illness, such as COVID-19.

To prevent serious illness and hospitalizations, it’s important to get the vaccine. Due to the Delta variant, most of patients currently hospitalized are unvaccinated. The vaccine has proven to work and is safe.

Q. Should pregnant women receive the vaccine?

A. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology strongly encourages pregnant women to be vaccinated against COVID 19 to protect themselves and their baby. The antibodies mothers develop in response to these vaccines not only protect them, but also cross the placenta and help protect their babies from serious diseases early in life. Vaccinating during pregnancy also helps protect a mother from getting a serious disease and then giving it to her newborn.

Q. I’ve heard a lot of different things about the vaccine, how do I know what to believe?

A. There is a lot of information about vaccines in the news right now, and some of it is not based in science. We encourage you to read the articles included in our Resources section at the end of this FAQ from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other trusted institutions.

Booster Information

Q. Do I need a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine?

A.If you are 6 months out from a mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or 2 months from J&J, now is the time to get your booster shot to help prevent breakthrough infections of COVID-19. Booster shots can increase protection against COVID-19 to up to 95%

• We strongly recommend a mRNA booster for those who received a J&J vaccine. Please speak with your doctor or a pharmacist about what is best. Boosters are widely available in the community

For the latest news about boosters, please visit: Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot? | CDC

There are now many options to receive the vaccine in Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles County. If you need a vaccine, please visit the MyTurn.ca.gov site to find a location near you.

COVID Variants

Q: What is Omicron? Should I be concerned about this new variant?

A. CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. Omicron is rapidly spreading across the world and increasing hospitalizations.

Now is the time to get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already. Current vaccines are shown to provide protection against this variant to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations.

For the latest on Omicron, go to Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know | CDC

What to Expect from the COVID-19 Vaccine

Q. How long will it take for the vaccine to begin protecting me?

A. It normally takes about two to three weeks to start getting some protection, and about six weeks for full protection. Important: even after you have received both doses of the current vaccines, you must give your body time (2-6 weeks) to have the full benefit of vaccination.

Q. Are there any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?

A. Yes, some people do experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Most side effects reported were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within 24 hours. Side effects included pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. More people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose.

For additional information about potential side effects, please visit the links below:

• Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Information
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Information

Q. Does getting the COVID-19 vaccine give you COVID-19?

A. The vaccine will not give you COVID-19. The two authorized mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to reproduce a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which helps your body recognize and fight the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain the SARS-Co-2 virus, so you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The protein that helps your immune system recognize and fight the virus does not cause infection of any sort.

Q. Does the COVID-19 vaccine change your DNA?

A. The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to help your body’s immune system fight the coronavirus. The messenger RNA from two of the first types of COVID-19 vaccines does enter cells, but not the nucleus of the cells where DNA resides. The mRNA does its job to cause the cell to make protein to stimulate the immune system, and then it quickly breaks down — without affecting your DNA.

Q. Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect women’s fertility?

A. No, the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect fertility. The COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the fertility of women who are seeking to become pregnant, including through in vitro fertilization methods. Contracting COVID-19, on the other hand, can have potentially serious impact on pregnancy and the mother’s health.  The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology strongly encourages pregnant women to be vaccinated against COVID 19 to protect themselves and their baby.

Q. Should pregnant women receive the vaccine?

A. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology strongly encourages pregnant women to be vaccinated against COVID 19 to protect themselves and their baby. The antibodies mothers develop in response to these vaccines not only protect them, but also cross the placenta and help protect their babies from serious diseases early in life. Vaccinating during pregnancy also helps protect a mother from getting a serious disease and then giving it to her newborn.

Q. Do I need to get a second shot if I’ve already received the first dose?

A. Yes. In order to be effective, the current mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) require two doses. Please be careful about scheduling your second dose on time, even if the system for doing so is hard to use. The second dose is critical for your protection.  The Johnson and Johnson vaccine remains a one dose schedule at this time.

After you have received both doses, you must give your body time (2-6 weeks) to have the full benefit of vaccination.

Download Huntington Hospital’s info sheet about the importance of the second vaccine dose.

If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only one dose is required to be effective.

Q. Does getting the COVID-19 vaccine mean I can stop wearing my mask and taking coronavirus precautions?

A. The CDC continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and makes recommendations for wearing face masks, both for those who are fully vaccinated as well as those who are not fully vaccinated. In Pasadena and LA County, we are seeing a growing number of public and private businesses and organizations implement their own infection prevention measures including wearing a mask, both indoors and outdoors, physical distancing and in some cases, showing proof of vaccination, both indoors and outdoors.

Q. If I’ve already had COVID-19, why do I need a vaccine?

A. Although having COVID-19 may produce protective antibodies, the duration and strength of protection from natural immunity begins to fade after 3-6 months.  This is why reinfection rates are much higher in those unvaccinated individuals who have had COVID versus vaccinated individuals. Data is emerging from solid studies that vaccine induced immunity is longer lasting and more robust.  That is why CDC recommends proceeding with full vaccination even if you’ve had COVID-19.

Questions Related to Pediatric Patients

Q. Is COVID-19 dangerous for kids? Is there a risk for my child to develop long-COVID-19?

A. Children are contracting COVID-19 at a rising pace due to the contagious Omicron variant. In general, children do not become as ill as adults with COVID-19 but rising cases of symptomatic and hospitalized children across the country suggests the Omicron variant is playing a role in serious pediatric cases.

Q. Is the Delta variant of COVID-19 more dangerous for kids? Is there a risk for my child to develop long-COVID-19?

A. Children are contracting COVID-19 at a rising pace.  This may well be due to the more infectious and dangerous Delta variant as well as the large amount of virus circulating in poorly vaccinated populations.    In general, children do not become as ill as adults with COVID-19 but rising cases of symptomatic and hospitalized children across the country suggests the Delta variant is playing a role in serious pediatric cases. Long COVID, although previously rare in children has been recognized and may be a serious chronic sequelae of the Delta variant.  These children may experience difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, muscle aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, or other symptoms for more than a month after an initial COVID-19 infection, even if that initial infection was asymptomatic. These symptoms may last for many months and can significantly interfere with the child’s daily activities.

Q. What can I do to protect my child from COVID-19?

A. CDC now recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccineto help protect against COVID-19. Masking and social distancing are encouraged when children and adults are in large groups or around unvaccinated individuals. In addition, on January 3, 2022, the FDA approved the Pfizer booster for children ages 12 and up.

Q. Are there any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?

A. Yes, some people do experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Most side effects reported were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within 24 hours. Side effects included pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. More people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose.

For additional information about potential side effects, please visit the links below:

• Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Information
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Information

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html