Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Many individuals usually adolescents, though also younger children and adults may experience fainting, dizziness, or nausea after a vaccination. While this experience may seem unsettling at the time, it is usually an anxiety-related reaction, sometimes called immunization anxiety or immunization stress-related response.

Blackouts, ringing in the ears, fainting, dizziness, hyperventilation, and nausea can be scary events, particularly if they occur after a vaccine. They may lead a person to worry that they are due to an allergic reaction or a side effect of the vaccine.

A recent report of cases of fainting after receiving the single-shot Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine has added to the worries that many people have around COVID-19 vaccinations.

However, upon analyzing these cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded that they did not occur in reaction to the vaccine itself. Instead, the CDC found that these are anxiety-related responses, which often occur after many different vaccines.

This conclusion was supported by the fact that approximately 25% of the people who had anxiety-related reactions after receiving the Janssen vaccine also reported similar reactions after other previous vaccinations.

During a talk given in May 2021, Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, deputy director of the Immunization Safety Office at the CDC, noted that [v]asovagal or presyncopal events thats fainting and dizziness or lightheadedness [are] actually fairly common after vaccination, as are anxiety-reactions like hyperventilating and increased heart rate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to anxiety-related fainting and other reactions after a vaccine as immunization anxiety or immunization stress-related response.

WHO data published in 2016 suggest that [o]ccurrence of reactions was usually within the first 15 minutes of vaccination and involved mostly school-age children.

And data cited by the CDC indicate that as many as 62% of cases of anxiety-related fainting after vaccination occur among adolescents aged 1118 years. It is unclear how many adults experience immunization anxiety.

I assume that there is a substantial number of reports of fainting because weve had hundreds of thousands of reports [of side effects] and because weve had hundreds of millions of vaccine doses administered, said Dr. Shimabukuro.

This syncope, which is fainting, and presyncope, which is lightheadedness or dizziness, its quite common, and its more common in adolescents. I would expect to see more reports or hear more anecdotal reports of this happening as we move to vaccinate adolescents just because its more common in this age group than it is in older individuals.

Dr. Tom Shimabukuro

Usually, anxiety-related responses to vaccination occur around 510 minutes after inoculation. Occasionally, they may also happen just before vaccination, in anticipation of the shot.

These can include fainting or feeling faint, variations in heart rate, feeling nauseous or vomiting, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, and sweaty, clammy skin.

While some people may be aware they are feeling anxious or stressed before vaccination, not everyone who experiences a stress-related reaction will feel actively nervous before the shot.

To prevent these anxiety-related reactions, the WHO advises a careful organization of vaccination programs, at which people have access to full information about the vaccines at every step.

The WHO also suggests that primary responders should be available to intervene in the vaccination area, while vaccination settings should be organized so that they are not overheated and crowded. This way, prolonged standing is avoided, and individuals are offered privacy during vaccination.

What can an individual do to prepare in case of an anxiety-related reaction, though? The key is to stay calm and act on the symptoms.

Taking deep breaths, making sure they have lots of water and a snack to eat all of these can help a person prevent or fight feelings of faintness and lightheadedness.

Staying distracted by chatting to someone, playing a game on the phone, or listening to music before and after the vaccination can also help offset anxiety.

If a person does faint, they should remain in a lying down position as they come to, the WHO indicates.

Finally, it is important to remember that stress- or anxiety-related reactions to vaccines are more common than people might think, but they are ultimately harmless and short-lived.

Adolescents in a number of countries are or will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. To help parents and guardians prepare their teenagers and support them through their vaccination experience, Medical News Today sought tips from one of our in-house experts, Audrey Amos, Pharm.D, from Healthline Medias Medical Affairs Team.

Prior to the appointment, talk with the adolescent to understand their fears and discuss real or perceived risks, working together to identify anxiety-reducing aids and talking with a healthcare provider (if needed), Amos told us.

Develop a plan with the child so that they feel confident and fully informed of the process and are aware of all the safety measures in place. Fear of needles, in combination with the ongoing stress of the pandemic, are thought to be contributing factors to fainting after receiving the vaccine.

Audrey Amos, Pharm.D.

She recommended that children wear comfortable, loose clothing to make it easy to access the arm where the injection will take place.

Amos also added the following practical tips to consider ahead of heading to the vaccination appointment.

Have your child drink at least 500 millimeters of water approximately 30 minutes before they receive their vaccination to ensure they are hydrated. Additionally, eating a salty snack (pretzels, peanut butter crackers, etc.) before vaccination has been shown to help reduce syncope as well, she suggested.

In some instances, parents or caregivers could consult with a pediatrician ahead of the appointment.

If your child struggles with a severe needle phobia, talk with the childs doctor to determine whether a one-time dose of an anxiety medication might be appropriate if the anxiety is severe enough to prevent them from getting the vaccine, Amos explained.

When it comes to attending the appointment, parents or caregivers can support their children by employing a strategy that suits them as an individual.

Each child will be different, and the specific solutions that soothe them will be different as well. This could include listening to their headphones or watching a show on their iPad, having a specific support person there with them, squeezing a stress ball, etc. Amos said.

She also emphasized the importance of talking to children who have previously felt dizzy or fainted after receiving a vaccine, as there is a good chance that it could happen again.

If they previously had this experience and did not understand what happened, this could create more anxiety around receiving a vaccine and put them at greater risk for experiencing syncope again, Amos explained. This is why it is so important to talk with your child beforehand to validate their concerns and discuss signs of syncope so they can alert you to it if it occurs while they are being vaccinated.

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, contact a healthcare professional right away, as they can be a sign of a more serious reaction: chest pain, shortness of breath, low back pain, a racing heart, severe headache, speech, vision, or hearing problems, difficulties balancing or walking, or difficulty speaking, or syncope during physical activity.

Audrey Amos, Pharm.D.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

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COVID-19 vaccine: What to know about dizziness and fainting - Medical News Today

(CNN) How travel will look in the near future is the question on everyone's lips, and as Europe begins to reopen its borders to travelers from outside the continent, the European Union has announced the launch of its EU Digital Covid Certificate -- set to allow freedom of movement around the bloc.

Already, nine countries are using the scheme to issue certificates, with more expected to join before the scheme officially launches on July 1. The EU's Parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve the scheme on June 9.

"The EU will be on time to open up again this summer," said Thierry Breton, commissioner for internal market, in a statement.

So who is eligible for the certificate, and how do you get it? Here's what to know.

What is it?

This is what will hopefully be opening up travel within Europe this summer, and easing the pressure on travelers for multiple testing. Currently, travel between two EU countries and you'll have to meet each of their individual rules for entry -- which might mean daily testing if you're driving through, or taking the train around the continent.

The certificate, however, will log three things: the holder's vaccination record, negative tests, or a record of previous infection -- which should make travel easier.

It'll be valid in all EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland is also looking likely.

Is this the same as the EU Covid vaccine passport?

Yes -- it's the EU-wide scheme for travel within the bloc. Also known as an "immunity pass" or "health pass," although the EU Digital Covid Certificate is the official (and more bland) name.

Is it a digital or a paper certificate?

That'll be up to the holder -- you can choose from either. Both will contain a "digitally signed QR code" which can be scanned on entry to a country. It'll be both in the national language of the country issuing it, plus English. Member states have agreed on a common design.

How does it work?

Each issuing body has been allocated a digital signature, which is embedded in the QR code; border staff will scan the QR code to see the data, although no personal data will be seen -- nor will personal data of the holder go through the gateway which nations are using to verify signatures.

When does it start?

The scheme officially starts July 1, with member states being allowed an additional six weeks if they need. However, with European countries vying for visitors, it looks doubtful there'll be any stragglers. In fact, nine member states are already issuing certificates.

Note that the European Parliament still must vote on the scheme to make it law, but it's expected to pass by a large majority.

The scheme has been in the planning process since March, and was provisionally agreed on May 20. The EU Gateway went live on June 1 -- it allows certificates to be verified across borders.

Which countries are using it?

As of June 8, there are nine EU member states signed up: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Spain. Expect others to join before too long -- countries which rely on tourism are trying to lure tourists back before their rivals. Already 22 countries have successfully tested the gateway, according to the European Commission.

Who is eligible?

A Fiumicino airport employee displays a "Smart-Helmet" portable thermoscanner to screen passengers and staff for COVID-19, on May 5, 2020 at Rome's Fiumicino airport.

ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

EU citizens and their families, and legal residents, according to the official word so far.

The UK is also reported to have been in negotiations. Travelers from the UK are not yet exempt from EU-wide restrictions, because of the Delta variant, first found in India, and now dominant in the UK.

The EU has also said that it is "working to make sure that the certificates can be compatible with systems in other countries," for holders traveling outside the bloc.

Do I need to be vaccinated to get it?

No. The certificate will also store recent recovery from Covid-19, as well as negative test results -- including lateral flow, as well as PCR.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated?

Not necessarily -- the certificate will log whether you've had one or two doses. It's up to individual member states to decide whether the certificate is acceptable with just one.

Does which vaccination I received affect the certificate?

Yes. Only vaccines approved for use in the EU count -- so if Sinovac or Sputnik V, for example, wouldn't count. At least, that's the bloc-wide rule; individual countries can tweak the rules.

Currently, the EU has approved AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

How many people have already got it?

More than one million people had already signed up by Tuesday, according to the European Commission.

Is there a charge for it?

No, it's free. Make sure you get it through the official channels -- doubtless spurious sites are already being built to get you your certificate for a fee. The EU has also promised that the certificates will be easily obtainable.

How do I get the certificate?

Individual countries will issue their own certificates, whether via a portal, through health authorities or at test centers. Expect more information to be announced nearer to launch.

Can I definitely move freely with it, or are there extra country-specific restrictions?

The EU has said that holders "should in principle be exempted from free movement restrictions," and asked that member states "refrain from imposing additional restrictions" on holders "unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health" -- for example if a new variant causes concern. States wishing to enforce new restrictions must justify their decision to EU authorities.

Travellers shows their documents to a border police officer at the immigration desk of Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle international airport, on February 1, 2021.

Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images

Of course, that doesn't stop them from imposing extra restrictions on those without the passes.

Are countries operating their own schemes?

Each country will run its own scheme, under the umbrella of the European scheme.

Do I need an app?

Most likely. The EU isn't producing a single app; countries must sort out their own system.

How secure is it?

The EU says that information stored in certificate QR codes can be verified "without the processing of personal data." Although the certificate itself contains data including name, date of birth and vaccine/recovery dates, it is not seen when being verified, or stored in other states. Only the valid digital signature will be checked.

More here:

EU Digital Covid Certificate: Everything you need to know - CNN

Dr. Mark Goedecker and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Rein, are both family physicians and parents of two sons, Jack and Ben. As their sons have grown, Goedecker, WellSpan vice president and chief medical officer of primary care, and his wife, who is in private practice in Hanover, often have shared stories of how they work to keep patients healthy. Then COVID-19 hit, Goedecker said, and the stories changed. Our patients of many years were getting sick and dying of a disease that we had no way to stop.

When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, the couple saw it was a way out of the pandemic and a weapon they could use to help their patients. They shared stories of that with their sons as well. The boys could hear the excitement in our voices.

The boys then watched their parents and their grandparents get the vaccine, and saw it was safe and allowed the family to start to resume normal activities. When the vaccine was approved for use in kids ages 12 to 15, the boys asked, without hesitation, when they could get vaccinated.

They needed little encouragement and understood that COVID-19 is a bad disease, Goedecker said.

I talk with many parents who are trying to decide if they should vaccinate their children. While COVID-19 can be mild in children, it can cause severe illness and even death, he said. The vaccine provides the same or better level of protection to children than adults. Vaccinating children also decreases the chance that they will spread this horrible virus to someone they love.

Why did the Goedecker brothers decide to get vaccinated? We asked them. Here are their responses, in their own words.

Jack Goedecker: 15, sophomore at Delone Catholic High School. Ben Goedecker: 12, eighth grader at St. Joseph School.

Why I chose to get the vaccine: Jack: I got the vaccine because I do not want to risk getting COVID-19 or giving it to someone else. Ben: I chose to get the vaccine to be able to have a normal life again and to hang out with friends and family safely without a mask.

What am I looking forward to: Jack: I am looking forward to not having to wear a mask in some places when I am fully vaccinated. Ben: I am looking forward to hanging out with my friends more when I am fully vaccinated.

What I would say to someone who has not yet gotten vaccinated: Jack: There is no reason not to get the vaccine. Ben: You should get the vaccine so you can be safe from COVID-19 and go back to your normal life.

To schedule your vaccine, gohere.

Read the rest here:

Inspired by their parents, the Goedecker brothers get the COVID-19 vaccine - WellSpan Health

The EEOC recently updated its guidance related to the intersection of employment discrimination laws and COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition to further defining the scope of lawful vaccination incentives, the update clarifies that, subject to certain caveats, employers can: (1) mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employeesand (2) ask employees to disclose their vaccination status. The update provides employers with helpful context for assessing workplace policies related to COVID-19. At the same time, it calls for continued consideration of the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations on workplace safety and compliance.

Employers may require employees to be vaccinated.

Affirming our prior analysis, the EEOC now explicitly states that federal employment laws permit an employer to mandate that all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19. However, employers must still comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of applicable lawsnamely, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII.

Employers should be mindful of that fact that some individuals or groups face greater obstacles to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and are more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccine requirement. Additionally, employers must pay careful attention to state and local laws, which may place additional restrictions on workplace vaccination requirements.

Employers must reasonably accommodate employees unable or unwilling to be vaccinated due to their disability or religion.

Under the ADA, employers must accommodate employees with a disability that prevents them from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship. An employer cannot require compliance for such an employee unless it demonstrates that the unvaccinated employee would pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the employee or others in the workplace.

A direct threat determination requires employers to make an individualized assessment. The update provides real-world factors for employers to consider in making such a determination: (1) the duration of the risk; (2) the nature and severity of the potential harm; (3) the likelihood that a particular harm will occur; (4) the imminence of the potential harm; and (5) the type of work environment. In assessing the type of work environment, employers may consider factors such as: (1) whether the employee works alone or with others; (2) whether the employee works inside or outside; (3) the available ventilation; (4) the frequency and duration of direct interaction the employee typically has with other employees and/or non-employees; (5) the number of partially vaccinated individuals in the workplace; (6) whether other employees are wearing masks or undergoing routine screening tests; and (7) the space available for social distancing.

The determination should be based on a reasonable medical judgment that relies on the most current medical knowledge about COVID-19 which may include: (1) the level of community threat at the time of assessment; (2) statements from the CDC; (3) the employees health care provider, with the employees consent.

If the assessment shows that an unvaccinated employee with a disability poses a direct threat to self or others, employers must consider whether providing a reasonable accommodation, absent undue hardship, would reduce or eliminate that threat. Employers may rely on CDC recommendations when deciding whether there is an effective accommodation available that would not pose an undue hardship. As for potential reasonable accommodations, EEOC offers the following non-exclusive examples:

[R]equiring the employee to wear a mask, work a staggered shift, making changes in the work environment (such as improving ventilation systems or limiting contact with other employees and non-employees), permitting telework if feasible, or reassigning the employee to a vacant position in a different workspace.

Under Title VII, employers must provide employees, who sincerely hold a religious belief, practice, or observance that prevents them from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, with a reasonable accommodation, unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship. A religious accommodation request from an employee who wishes to wait until an alternative version or specific brand of COVID-19 vaccine becomes available should be processed according to the same standards applicable to other requests for accommodation set forth above. Employers must engage in an interactive process to find a reasonable accommodation and should thoroughly consider all possibilities, including telework and reassignment. Employers may rely on CDC recommendations when deciding whether there is a reasonable accommodation available.

The definition of religion under Title VII is broad and the EEOC suggests that employers should ordinarily assume that an employees request for religious accommodation is based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. However, if an employee requests a religious accommodation, and an employer is aware of facts that provide an objective basis for questioning either the religious nature or the sincerity of a particular belief, practice, or observance, the employer would be justified in requesting additional supporting information.

Employers must be prepared to handle exemption requests from employees unable or unwilling to be vaccinated due to pregnancy.

Employers may require pregnant employees to be vaccinated. Under Title VII, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, pregnant employees may seek job adjustments or request exemptions from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A pregnant employee may also be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Employers must be sure that a pregnant employee is not discriminated against as compared to other employees with a similar ability or inability to work. This means pregnant employees unable or unwilling to get vaccinated may be entitled to job modifications (including telework), changes to work schedules or assignments, and leave, to the extent such modifications are provided for other similarly situated employees.

Employers must reasonably accommodate fully-vaccinated employees at heightened risk.

The update introduces a new type of accommodation request involving an employee who is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but who requests an accommodation based on a continuing concern for heightened risk of severe illness from a COVID-19 infection. For example, fully vaccinated individuals who are immunocompromised may need reasonable accommodations, since the vaccine may not offer them the same level of protection as others.

These requests should be handled in accordance with applicable ADA standards, where an employer engages in an interactive process to determine whether there is a disability-related need for reasonable accommodation. This process typically includes seeking information from the employees health care provider with the employees consent explaining why an accommodation is needed. If there is a demonstrated need, employers must explore potential reasonable accommodations that are available absent undue hardship.

Employers must keep information about an employees COVID-19 vaccination confidential.

The EEOC previously advised that an employers request self-disclosure of vaccination status by employees or documentation or other confirmation of vaccination status from a third party is not a medical examination or disability-related inquiry. Therefore, such a request does not run afoul of the ADA or the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA).

Despite this position, the update makes clear that the confidentiality requirement for employee medical information found in the ADA applies to documentation or other confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination. Employers must keep this in mind when faced with requests for disclosure of employee vaccination status from co-workers, customers, or other third parties. While federal employment laws do not prevent employers from requesting or requiring employees to provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination, this new guidance confirms that such information must be kept confidential and must be stored separately from the employee personnel files.

Keep in mind that information collected by employers administering vaccines to employees may be subject to additional confidentiality requirements under the law. Employers administering vaccinesor contracting with third parties to administer vaccinesto employees should consult with counsel to determine whether they may be subject to additional federal or state law obligations.

Conclusion

Employers should continue to refer toCDC protocolsand EEOC guidance in determining reasonable accommodations in order to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. As always, employers should consider seeking counsel prior to implementing a vaccination policy or excluding an employee from the workplace because of refusal to be vaccinated.

[View source.]

Read more:

EEOC Update on Workplace Practices Related to COVID-19 Vaccinations - JD Supra

NEW YORK (WKBW) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday the state will open 11 pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites in areas where data shows the vaccination rate is significantly lower than the statewide average.

NEW YORK CITYProspect Plaza Community Center1835 Sterling PlaceBrooklyn, NYOpen: Saturday, June 12

Challenge Charter Middle School12-79 Redfern AvenueFar Rockaway, NYOpen: Saturday, June 12

SAGE Crotona Senior Center1794 Prospect AvenueBronx, NYOpen: Thursday, June 10

CAPITAL REGIONCoeyman's Hollow Volunteer Fire House, 1290 NY-143Coeyman's Hollow, NYOpen: Thursday, June 10

SOUTHERN TIERWindsor Fire Department4 Academy StreetWindsor, NYOpen: Saturday, June 12

FINGER LAKESGreater Harvest Baptist Church12 Driving Park AvenueRochester, NYOpen: Friday, June 11

CENTRAL NEW YORKAssumption Church812 N Salina StreetSyracuse, NYOpen: Wednesday, June 9

WESTERN NEW YORKNorthwest Community Center155 Lawn AvenueBuffalo, NYOpen: Friday, June 11

LONG ISLANDSmith Point County Park1 William Floyd ParkwayShirley, NYOpen: Friday, June 11

Roosevelt Library27 West Fulton AvenueRoosevelt, NYOpen: Thursday, June 10

MID-HUDSONMartin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center110 Bethune BlvdSpring Valley, NYOpen: Saturday, June 12

The state says it will expand the program and open additional sites in the coming weeks.

The governor also announced Monday most remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted when New York's vaccination rate reaches 70%. You can find more information here.

"Our progress on vaccinations has been instrumental in making it possible to reopen our economy and lift many of the restrictions, but the vaccination rate has slowed dramatically and we need to focus on the places that have low vaccination rates," Governor Cuomo said. "Pop-up sites have been critical in helping us reach more New Yorkers with the vaccine, and with these 11 new sites we are redeploying our resources and working with local health departments across the state to target the areas that continue to lag on vaccinations. The vaccine is safe and effective -- and if we want to defeat this virus, we need to get more New Yorkers vaccinated as quickly as possible."

See the original post here:

NYS to open pop-up COVID-19 vaccine sites in areas with lower vaccination rates - WKBW-TV

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Pfizer announced it is expanding testing of its COVID-19 vaccine in a bigger group of children under the age of 12, enrolling about 4,500 kids at sites across the U.S., Finland, Poland and Spain.

Enrollment of 5- to 11-year-olds began this week. They will receive two vaccine doses of 10 micrograms each, which is one-third of the teen and adult doses.

Squirrel Hill mom Ilanit Helfand has two daughters, ages 8 and 6. Helfand said the masks will stay close by until her kids can roll up their sleeves.

We definitely plan on getting them vaccinated as soon as we can, said Helfand.

Until that happens, staying safe is a top priority.

We are definitely being very cautious and not doing all the things we normally would have if everyone in our family is vaccinated, said Helfand.

Doctors at UPMC said its a step in the right direction.

I fully expect children in that 5 to 11 group will do exceptionally well with a vaccine, and what that means is it will be safe for them. It will protect them and everyone around them, UPMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Don Yealy.

However, until a shot is available for this age group, the state advises parents to stay vigilant as we head into the summer months.

Its important to talk to your kids about realities. Try to get outside in the summer, but its important to keep your mask on in interacting with anyone who might be unvaccinated, said Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Meg Snead.

The state recommends families follow CDC guidelines with any questions or concerns.

Pfizer hopes it will be able to submit the vaccine for potential emergency use authorization to the FDA sometime in the fall.

See the original post here:

UPMC Doctors Say Pfizer Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Testing To Kids Under 12 Is Step In Right Direction - CBS Pittsburgh

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (KVEO) The City of Brownsville will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic Wednesday.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available by the State of Texas to individuals 18 years of age and older.

The clinic will be held Wednesday, June 9 at Morningside Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Morningside Park is located at 1207 South Central Avenue.

Residents in need of a first or second-dose vaccine may register for the event online at http://www.btxcares.com or by calling the City of Brownsville COVID-19 Hotline at (956) 394-0012.

Individuals in need of a second dose vaccine must present a COVID-19 Vaccine Record Card given at their first dose vaccination.

The city strongly encourages the public to download and complete the consent and IMMTrac forms online at http://www.btxcares.com ahead of time to speed the vaccination process.

The vaccination clinic is partnered with the State of Texas and UTRGV Pre Physician Assistant Society.

CDC guidelines to protect against COVID-19 are encouraged.

Read more here:

City of Brownsville to host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic - KGBT-TV

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are being offered to:

You'll be contacted by the NHS when you're eligible.

You do not need to wait to be contacted if you're in a group listed above. You may be able to book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online now.

If you did not book when you were contacted, you're still eligible and can book your appointments anytime.

Vaccines were offered to people most at risk from COVID-19 first. They are now being offered to people based on their age.

If you're not eligible yet, wait to be contacted. The NHS will tell you when it's your turn to have the COVID-19 vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

Find out more:

There are 2 ways to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you're eligible:

The currently available vaccines are given in 2 doses. You usually have the 2nd dose 8 to 12 weeks after the 1st dose.

If you book your appointments online, you can view, cancel or rebook them if you need to.

If you cannot book online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.

If you book online, you'll need to book appointments for both doses. You can manage your COVID-19 vaccination appointments to view your appointments and rebook if you need to.

If you have your 1st dose through your GP surgery, you'll be contacted when it's time to book your 2nd dose.

The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the UK are:

You cannot usually choose which vaccine you have.

You will only be offered a specific vaccine if you're either:

If this applies to you, you'll only be shown appointments for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine when you book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online.

If you book through your GP surgery, tell them if you're pregnant or under 40.

You should have the same vaccine for both doses, unless you had serious side effects (such as a serious allergic reaction) after your 1st dose.

Anyone who gets COVID-19 can become seriously ill or have long-term effects (long COVID). The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.

Research has shown the vaccines:

The 1st dose should give you good protection from 3 or 4 weeks after you've had it. You need 2 doses for stronger and longer-lasting protection.

There is a chance you might still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to continue to follow all social distancing guidance.

The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

They can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.

Any side effects are usually mild and should not last longer than a week, such as:

More serious side effects are very rare.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines safety and side effects

You can have a COVID-19 vaccine if:

The vaccine cannot give you or your baby COVID-19.

You'll be invited to have the vaccine when your age group are offered it or earlier if you have a health condition or other reason that means you're eligible.

If you're breastfeeding, you can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines.

If you're pregnant and have not had a vaccine yet, it's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and no safety concerns have been identified.

If you've already had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for your 1st dose and did not have any serious side effects, you should have it again for your 2nd dose.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online. If you're under 40, you'll only be shown appointments for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. If you're 40 or over, you'll be asked if you're pregnant to make sure you're only shown appointments for these vaccines.

At your appointment, you'll be able to discuss the benefits and potential risks of having a COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. This is so you can make an informed decision about having it. You can also speak to a GP or your maternity team for advice.

There's no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on your chances of becoming pregnant. There's no need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.

Find out more:

The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain egg or animal products.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine contains a tiny amount of alcohol, but this is less than in some everyday foods like bread.

The vaccines are suitable for people of all faiths.

See the original post:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines - NHS

Its normal to be cautious when something new comes along. Getting informed about COVID-19 vaccines is an important step to help us stop this pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccines are free and have become widely available in the U.S. Everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Read more:

Questions & Answers About COVID-19 Vaccines | The Ad Council

More than 49% of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated.

June 6, 2021, 9:33 PM

4 min read

The U.S. surpassed another milestone Sunday in its efforts to vaccinate Americans against the coronavirus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that over 300 million vaccines doses have so far been administered across the country.

The Pfizer vaccine is currently eligible for Americans over the age of 12, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are eligible for Americans over 16. As of Sunday, roughly 49.3% of the U.S. population over 12 is fully vaccinated, the CDC said.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use mRNA technology and require two doses, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one dose. All the vaccines are free.

A commuter receives a shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the opening of MTA's public vaccination program at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., May 12, 2021.

Health officials said the increase in vaccinations since states opened up eligibility in April has resulted in a major drop in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

The seven-day average of new daily cases reported has decreased from 65,053 on April 1 to 12,780 on June 5, the CDC reported. The seven-day average of new daily deaths reported decreased from 681 to 367 during the same time period, according to the CDC.

Health officials, however, are warning the unequal vaccination rates among states and the recent drop in new vaccine administrations could slow down the country's recovery.

Sisters Guadalupe Flores, 15, right, and Estela Flores, 13, left, from East Los Angeles, get vaccinated with the Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine by licensed vocational nurse Rita Orozco, far left, at the Esteban E. Torres High School in Los Angeles, Thursday, May 27, 2021. Vaccinated Californians will be eligible for $116.5 million in prize money. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the massive pot of money on Thursday as part of an effort to encourage more people to get their shots.

As of Sunday, 14 states, most of which are located in the northeast, have passed the 70% threshold of their population over 18 years old with at least one vaccine dose, CDC data showed. Six states, four of which are in the South, have not passed the 40% threshold of their population over 18 years old with one dose, according to the CDC.

The seven-day average of first doses administered across the country has declined from a peak of 1.96 million on April 11 to 444,000 on May 31, CDC data showed.

Several states are trying to pick up their vaccine rates with incentives such as lotteries, free beers and college scholarships.

Anyone who needs help making an appointment for a vaccine can log onto vaccines.gov.

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US surpasses 300 million COVID-19 vaccine shots administered - ABC News