COVID-19 Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the virus strain known as SARS-CoV-2. The virus was first encountered in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019, and was officially declared a pandemic three months later. The World Health Organization reports over 106 million confirmed cases globally, and over 2.3 million deaths, at the time of writing this.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms vary wildly; some people are completely asymptomatic. This doesn’t mean they don’t have the virus—rather it means that they just don’t feel sick. Others experience more severe symptoms, including:
Fever
Dry cough
Loss of taste and smell
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Shortness of breath
These symptoms also vary depending on age, meaning that it tends to impact the elderly more severely, and can have a greater effect on those with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma and diabetes. This doesn’t mean that the young and healthy shouldn’t be worried, either; according to this study, 21% of young adults between 18 and 34 require intensive care, 10% required a mechanical ventilator, and 2.7% didn’t make it. There are also reports of long-term complications, which are currently being investigated. These reports include heart inflammation, hair loss, reduced lung function, and even memory problems.
If you do have any of these symptoms or think you may have come into contact with someone with the virus, be sure to isolate immediately for at least 14 days. Additionally, get tested (we actually can get you tested and deliver your results to you in 15 minutes or less). You can find more information on testing locations within Harris County here.
How do people contract COVID-19?
According to the CDC, the virus spreads in three main ways: contact transmission, droplet transmission, and airborne transmission.
Contact transmission occurs when an infectious person comes into direct physical contact with another, either through a handshake or by touching something that the infected has also touched, like a door handle or money.
Droplet transmission spreads mainly through the air in respiratory droplets, which form when a person is coughing, sneezing, or even just breathing. This is why it’s so important to wear a mask when in close contact with other people, as these droplets will have less of a chance to spread. The six-feet social distancing rule has a similar effect, as the droplets usually fall short of that distance.
Airborne transmission is what most people think of when they hear that the virus is transmitted through the air. However in the medical community, airborne transmission refers specifically to an infection that can be spread through the air over distances greater than six feet, and over longer periods, usually measured in hours. While there have been several cases of airborne transmission, it seems to be rare and is usually due to poor ventilation or being in close confines with someone who is already infected.
COVID-19 in Houston, Texas
There have been over 2.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Texas, and over 40,000 fatalities. On March 13th, 2020, a state-wide emergency was declared in Texas, and the first death occurred a mere two days later. By November, Texas had hit 1 million total cases, which is more than the total amount of infections in several countries. There have been over 333,000 cases in Harris County alone, and while the daily infection average is currently on a downward trend, there is still an average of around 1400 new cases daily. Wearing masks in public, frequent hand washing, standing at least six feet apart, and staying home as much as possible are all necessary to continue to minimize the spread of the virus. This doesn’t mean you can’t go out to get groceries—just be cautious. However, eating in rather than going to a restaurant, for example, is the more prudent option.
Is there a vaccine?
As of the time of writing, there are two different brands of COVID-19 vaccines available in Texas, and both require two separate doses to work most effectively. The two different brands are Moderna and Pfizer, and the time between doses depends on the vaccine. Moderna requires a second dose 4 to 6 weeks after the first, while Pfizer requires a second dose 3 to 6 weeks later. It is recommended that your second dose is the same brand as your first.
Additionally, the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company aims to produce 100 million doses by June 2021.
Is there anything I have to worry about when getting vaccinated?
As with any vaccine, there may be mild side effects that usually go away after a few days. Generally, these include some tenderness and swelling at the site of the injection, a headache, fever, fatigue, or muscle aches. As with any medication, there is the potential for complications, but the CDC found that of the initial 1.8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, only 0.0001 percent of those resulted in a severe allergic reaction, and most of them occurred within the first 15 minutes of the vaccination—so be sure to stay at the clinic where you receive your shot for around half an hour.
When can I get the vaccine?
The vaccines are available right now through two main methods. The first is through one of the large vaccination hubs that Texas has established to vaccinate everyone more effectively. These hubs are doling out the vaccines in a planned three-phase approach, prioritizing those who are the most at-risk. The first phase consists of two groups: “Phase 1A” and “Phase 1B”. Phase 1A consists of front-line healthcare workers and long-term facility residents, while Phase 1B focuses on those who have a chronic medical condition, or who are over the age of 65. If you fall into one of these groups, you are eligible for the vaccine from any of the Vaccination Hubs in Texas, and all vaccinations are being provided free of charge. Each location has a different registration process, so be sure to contact them before your visit.
The second method is the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Availability Map, which you can use to find a vaccine provider near you. Each of these providers must be contacted directly to schedule an appointment, and not all of them are serving the same population base, so make sure you meet their specific criteria. Supply is currently limited, but more vaccines are arriving each week, so check back often. Of course, check the website first—phone lines are likely to be very busy.
For those not currently eligible, vaccines are not likely to be widely available until later in the spring. We will be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
I got my vaccination—now what?
Once you have received the vaccine, it’s essential to know that you must still practice the various prevention measures to continue to minimize the infection rate. This is because while you may be immune to the virus, researchers still aren’t entirely sure that the vaccination reduces the likelihood of spreading it to others. The vaccine does not immediately make you immune to the virus, either, as it may take several weeks to build up the required antibodies. On top of that, there are new strains of the virus that have been found in various parts of the world, and while research does show that the vaccines in the U.S still provide effective protection, we cannot currently guarantee that will continue to be the case. For your safety, and the safety of everyone around you, please continue to take as many precautions as you possibly can.