Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine

http://www.vaccines.gov

Search for Covid-19 Vaccination Sites by using link above.

My Nova Healthcare’s priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to make sure each member gets the right care at the right time – including the COVID-19 vaccine.  Now that the U.S. has recommended COVID-19 vaccines, we are working to help our members get immunized as quickly as possible.

Vaccine guidelines and requirements may vary by county and by state. You can find more information and resources below. Your care advocate team is here for you and will continue to support you as the situation evolves.  Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and everyone around you – including those who are at risk for severe illness or death.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the U.S. President and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says “When your turn to get vaccinated comes up, get vaccinated. It’s not only good for you and your family and your community, but it will also have a very important impact on the dynamics of the outbreak in our country.”

While the introduction of the vaccine is an important and big step in the pandemic, you may naturally have questions about what this all means for you. We’re here to help you make sense of these questions, with doctor’s advice from Teladoc’s Healthiest You Service.

1. How do we know if the vaccine is safe and effective?

Millions of Americans have already received COVID-19 vaccines that have been recommended by the federal government. The vaccines that are currently available have been reviewed and approved for safety and efficacy by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In her video on the vaccine development process, Dr. Reznick noted that the longest stage of the process is the exploratory phase, aka where researchers explore different ingredient options to make sure they are as effective as possible. Fortunately, in the case of COVID-19, scientists didn’t have to start from scratch.

“There have been decades of research regarding mRNA vaccines that were able to be quickly applied to the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Reznick.

Scientists have been able to use research into other diseases in the coronaviruses family, such as SARS and MERS, which gave them a head start on the process for the COVID-19 vaccine. With the help of an emergency use authorization from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), researchers were able to safely move vaccines to the FDA approval phase in record time. The two vaccines that are recommended and available in the U.S. right now are both mRNA vaccines, a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies, which produces antibodies that protect us from getting infected.

2. Will I experience any side effects with the vaccine?

You may have some side effects following COVID-19 vaccination, if any at all – so far, they have been minor for most people. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Plus, side effects are a normal sign that your body is building protection (which is exactly what’s supposed to happen).

“Side effects are an indication that a person’s immune system is being turned on, and that the vaccine is working,” says Dr. Reznick.

That said, if you are undergoing any sort of treatment or have a history of allergic reactions — severe or non-severe — to vaccines, we recommend first speaking with your provider.

One common side effect is pain or swelling in the arm where you received the shot. To help reduce any discomfort, the CDC recommends applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area. In addition to this, make sure to use or exercise your arm as normal to help alleviate pain. Other side effects may occur throughout the rest of your body such as fever, chills, tiredness, and/or headaches. If you experience these symptoms, try drinking plenty of fluids and dressing lightly to help reduce discomfort from fever.

Pregnant people may experience similar side effects, but the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all agree that receiving the vaccine during pregnancy is safe. If you are expecting and have any questions about the vaccine, we recommend consulting your obstetrician.

3. Where can I get the vaccine?

You can find vaccination locations near you, free rides to vaccination appointment, or free childcare by:

  • Calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489) or going online to https://www.vaccines.gov/
  • Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233
  • Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available
  • Contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in the area.
  • Check your local news outlets.
  • Contact your City Hall’s offices

You can also visit the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions page for information about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Help is available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL):
1-888-677-1199
DIAL@n4a.org

4. How do I get vaccinated?

Check myturn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255 to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment or walk-in site near you.

You should take every precaution to stay safe and avoid exposure to COVID-19 during your visit. Follow CDC guidelines for reducing your risk, including but not limited to wearing a mask, covering your nose and mouth, and stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.

5. What happens after I take the vaccine?

Following vaccination, you should stay on site for at least 15 minutes so that health care professionals can monitor you for any allergic or adverse reactions. If you’ve had a severe and/or immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or injectable therapy in the past, you should stay on site for at least 30 minutes of monitoring post-vaccination.

You should also receive a vaccination card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it and where, and as well a fact sheet. You can also use v-safe, the CDC’s free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you do experience any side effects, the CDC recommends talking to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Call your doctor if any side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days. If you’re a My Nova Healthcare member, remember that you have 24/7 access to Teladoc, where you can connect with a Teladoc provider for medical guidance all for no extra cost to you.

Depending on the specific vaccine you get, two doses may be required, with a second shot three to four weeks after your first needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer against this serious disease.

Data has not yet shown whether getting the vaccine protects you from spreading COVID-19, and we all continue to play an important part in controlling the outbreak. Even after you are fully vaccinated, it is important that we all continue to take steps, like wearing a mask and social distancing, to help reduce the risk exposure to ourselves or others. As you may have seen in the news, there are a number of new variants of the virus. While health leaders believe the currently available vaccines should provide protection against these variations, it is not yet confirmed, so it is best to continue to wear a mask and take other recommended safety measures.

As with the entire pandemic so far, all things COVID-19 vaccines are constantly evolving. My Nova Healthcare is here to help you stay safe and find affordable care when you need it, before and after you’ve been vaccinated.

As always, your Care Advocate Team is available to help — message them through the website or call (833) 444-NOVA (6682) – and we will continue to update you. You can find more of these FAQs and the latest updates in the CDC’s COVID-19 Resource Center, and news on COVID-19 vaccines and related regulations on the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

http://www.vaccines.gov

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/reporting/vaccinefinder/about.html