COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Guidelines + Vaccination
As of September 12, 2023, CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. While it is still possible to get COVID-19 after vaccination, your symptoms are likely to be much less severe. Everyone in the industry is highly encouraged to get vaccinated
Vaccine Access
My turn California allows you to fill out a questionnaire determining if you are eligible for the vaccine. If you are, you will be prompted to schedule a vaccine at a location near you. Vaccine availability is updated daily using Twitter’s ‘Vaccine Bot’ account.
Vaccines.gov allows you to search for COVID-19 vaccine locations near you. Search for vaccine locations online or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Canada.ca provides instructions on registering for vaccination in Canada, organized by state.
Safety and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are deemed safe and effective. These vaccines went through tens of thousands of clinical trials, and met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). These vaccines continue to be monitored.
Side Effects
Side effects are generally mild and temporary, and should stop after a few days. These side effects include:
Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the shot was injected
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle pain.
Chills
Nausea
Fever
However, as with any medicine, there is a slight risk of serious complications.
A rare risk of the COVID-19 vaccine is Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction which has occurred at a rate of approximately 5 cases per one million vaccine doses administered.
People receiving COVID-19 vaccines are less likely to die from COVID-19 and its complications and are at no greater risk of death from non-COVID causes, than unvaccinated people.
Negotiating Health and Safety
There are currently three vaccines available in the United States authorized for use by the FDA: Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. You are considered fully vaccinated when you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and booster(s) and it has been 14 days since your last dose. To reduce the risk of transmission, the CDC suggests minimizing exposure by avoiding indoor crowded areas or maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others, and wearing a high-quality and well-fitting mask, especially for those who are immunocompromised.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 after your vaccination has taken full effect, testing and isolation is only recommended if you test positive or experience symptoms. However, it is important to note that for fully vaccinated individuals it is still possible to test positive for COVID-19 and spread the virus to other individuals. Vaccination reduces the risk of severity of symptoms and hospitalization.
The CDC has recommended that those recently infected with COVID-19 should only travel after isolation has ended. It is not recommended to travel using public transportation if you have tested positive for COVID-19. Consider taking precautions when traveling, such as staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, and wearing a mask, especially in poorly ventilated indoor areas.
As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. arriving by air or arriving by land or sea no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
References:
Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
Information About Variants
Viruses mutate, and new variants emerge as a result, including COVID-19. General concerns around variants is the possibility of resistance to vaccines and treatments, which is why professionals recommend getting updated vaccines as they become available.
The BA.2.86 variant of COVID-19 is not believed to be responsible for the current increase in hospitalization rates. Despite initial concern about resistance, existing antibodies work against this variant.
The Omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants of the virus, and data suggests it can reinfect individuals who have recently recovered from COVID-19.
Emerging variants of omicron include BA.4 and BA.5, estimated to represent a total of 6% of cases. Symptoms and risks are similar to the original omicron variant. Staying up to date on vaccines, wearing masks and social distancing can prevent contracting and spreading the virus.
References:
Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know About Variants
Risk Assessment Summary for SARS CoV-2 Sublineage BA.2.86
Different Vaccines
Pfizer - BioNTech
mRNA vaccine available in the United States for individuals 16 years of age and older. A two dose series, each dose is separated by 21 days. For more information on mRNA vaccines visit: mRNA Vaccines.
Moderna
mRNA vaccine available in the United States for individuals 18 years of age and older. A two dose series, each dose is separated by 28 days. For more information on mRNA vaccines visit: mRNA Vaccines.
Novavax
Protein subunit two-dose vaccine. Individuals 12 years of age and older previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine (and who have not already been vaccinated with a recently updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) are eligible to receive one dose and unvaccinated individuals receive two doses.
There are also vaccines not currently available in the United States:
Oxford-AstraZeneca
Viral vector two-dose vaccine not currently available in the United States. AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine is in phase 3 of clinical trials in the United States and authorized for use in the UK, EU and Canada. For more information on viral vector vaccines visit: Understanding Viral Vector Vaccines.
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, a viral vector vaccine has expired and is no longer available for use in the United States as of May 6, 2023.
For more information:
World Health Organization: COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
FDA Authorizes Updated Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Formulated to Better Protect Against
Currently Circulating Variants
Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
Relevant Research
Information About Rates of Virus and Vaccinations
COVID Data Tracker: United States