WHY
SHOULD I RECEIVE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19?
Protection!
For yourself, your family, your friends, and your co-workers.
A
COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 or keep you from
becoming seriously ill if you get COVID-19. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is
the pathway towards stopping the pandemic. FOR MOST PEOPLE, THE BENEFITS OF THE
VACCINE OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.
AM
I A CANDIDATE TO GET A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19?
YES! A COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone
who is 12 years of age and older.
The
only contraindication is a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the
vaccine components, including sensitivity to PEG (polyethylene glycol). If you are concerned that you may have an
allergy to PEG or the vaccine, please schedule PEG testing and a consultation
with your FAAC Provider.
HOW
DO I KNOW THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS SAFE?
Experience. To date, almost 5 billion people worldwide
have safely received a COVID-19 vaccination. Safety has been demonstrated
across a broad range of the population, including different ages, races,
ethnicities, and those with different medical conditions.
DOES
FAMILY ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE OFFICE?
Family
Allergy & Asthma Care is a registered site for COVID-19 vaccination
administration. We run a vaccine clinic
about every two weeks. If you would like
to receive your COVID-19 vaccination at FAAC, please call the office to
schedule. (972-539-0086).
CURRENTLY,
THERE ARE 3 VACCINES AVAILABLE IN THE US, WHICH VACCINE SHOULD I TAKE?
The
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (mRNA vaccines) are similar and are equally safe
and effective. They both require two vaccinations to be considered fully
vaccinated. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is administered 18-23 days
after the first vaccination, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is
administered 28 days after the first vaccination. The Pfizer vaccination is
currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for people ages 12 and older. The Moderna is currently approved for people
18 and older. The Johnson and
Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is currently administered as a single dose and
indicated for adults 18 and older. Patients with a history of Guillain Barre
and women ages 18 – 49 should discuss the risk benefits of the J&J vaccine
with their provider.
CAN
I GET COVID -19 FROM THE VACCINE?
No! None of the COVID-19 vaccinations contain any
live virus. The COVID -19 vaccines activate your immune cells to make
antibodies against the spike protein of the virus, which means that if/when you
are exposed to the virus, you will already have protective antibodies waiting
and ready to go.
WHAT
ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE VACCINE?
Most
people do not have serious problems after being vaccinated. Your arm may be
sore, red, or warm to the touch at the injection site, as can happen with
injections of any kind. As sometimes happens with any type of vaccine, some
people may experience a low-grade fever, headache, and fatigue during the first
24 hours. These symptoms usually go away on their own and a sign that your
immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do: working and building
up protection against disease.
WHAT
ARE THE LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE?
No
long-term side effects have been identified. The FDA and the CDC are continuing
to monitor safety in the larger population, as they do with all new such
medical products. Part of the monitoring includes a phone app that sends recipients
routine texts to ask brief questions, which monitor side effects. The
information goes directly to the CDC.
Myocarditis,
or inflammation of the heart muscle, has been reported in a very small number
of young adults after receiving a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccination. Most cases were mild, and all were
successfully treated.
There’s
a possible but rare risk in developing Guillain-Barre syndrome after the
Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine. To date, no cases of GBS have been seen in
people vaccinated for COVID-19 with the mRNA vaccines.
Thrombosis
with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome – a syndrome of blood clots occurring with low
platelets (after J&J). TTS has occurred after receiving the J&
J/Janssen COVID 19 vaccine and not after the mRNA vaccines at a rate of about 7
per 1 million vaccinated women between 18 and 49 years old. For women 50 years or older and men of all
ages, this adverse event is even more rare.
WHAT
ABOUT ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO THE VACCINE?
There
have been reports of a few patients experiencing anaphylaxis after getting a
COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, the CDC issued guidance related to the COVID-19
vaccines and severe allergic reactions. Please schedule a televisit with your
FAAC provider if you have a history of anaphylaxis, mast cell disease, or
concerns about receiving the vaccine.
SHOULD
I RECEIVE A VACCINATION IF I HAVE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO AN ALLERGY
INJECTION OR A STINGING INSECT OR IF I HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY?
YES!
However, if you have a history of anaphylaxis for any reason, we recommend that
your vaccination is administered in a facility that is able to treat allergic
reactions and that you are observed for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
If
you have specific questions or concerns about the vaccine and whether you are a
candidate to receive it, please schedule a televisit to talk with us about it.
CAN
I GET A COVID VACCINE ON THE SAME DAY I GET MY ALLERGY INJECTION? OR XOLAIR OR
OTHER BIOLOGIC? GAMMA GLOBULIN INFUSION?
Please allow 24 hours before and 24 hours
after receiving COVID19 Vaccine before getting your allergy injection, Xolair,
or other biologic.
I
HAVE ALREADY HAD COVID – DO I STILL NEED TO TAKE THE VACCINE?
Yes.
The immunity offered by the vaccine is better and offers longer protection than
the virus itself – especially to the delta variant of SARS -CoV2 virus.
HOW
SOON AFTER RECOVERING FROM COVID CAN I GET THE VACCINE?
It
is recommended that you receive the COVID-19 vaccine after you have completely
recovered from COVID. If you received
convalescent serum or monoclonal antibodies, you should wait at least 90 days
before getting a COVID-19 vaccination. If you have “long-haul” COVID symptoms,
consider getting a vaccination as a treatment option for this syndrome.
HOW
OFTEN DO I NEED TO GET A COVID VACCINE? IS IT LIKE THE FLU SHOT, AND I WILL
NEED TO GET IT ANNUALLY?
Due
to the recent outbreak of the Delta variant strain of COVID-19, booster doses
are recommended and necessary for anyone who is immunocompromised. It appears possible that others may benefit
from a booster vaccination.
Please visit for
https://faaccares.com/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/FAAC COVID-19
updates.
