There are three safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available in the Unites States. They are:

Tens of thousands of volunteers were involved in clinical trials for the vaccines. The clinical trials showed that the COVID-19 vaccines are remarkably safe and effective before they got FDA emergency use authorization. Clinical trials are now underway to study whether children as young as six months old could receive COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Nearly half of all kids 12- to 17 years old in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated! That's more than 11 million kids who have had both of their doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines continue to be monitored very closely. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that COVID-19 vaccines will have "the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history."

Is there any research showing long-term effects?

Your child may experience some mild or moderate short-term side effects (similar to adults), but there has been no indication that there are any long-term effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, including impacts on fertility. 

Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose. For this reason, the FDA required each of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to be studied for at least two months (eight weeks) after the final dose. Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected.

If you have questions specific to your child, reach out to your medical provider.

Most cases of COVID-19 in children are not severe, but on occasion, COVID-19 can cause serious infections that require hospitalization. In rare instances, it can be life-threatening. 

Children can also spread it to others if they get infected. That’s particularly a worry when they are around people in the higher risk groups, including other family members like grandparents, or caregivers who may have medical conditions. Children can also have long-term effects from the virus, known as long-COVID. 

The more viruses spread, the more chance they have to mutate into more dangerous strains. As a community, the more people that are vaccinated, the safer we will all be and the less chance that new variants of the virus will emerge.

Why do kids need a vaccine with 90% effectiveness for a virus they have a 99% of surviving?

New COVID-19 variants are more dangerous and infectious to children than the original strains. The percentage of children hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased 240% in the U.S. in the last few months.

While COVID-19 may often be milder in children than adults, children can still get very sick and spread it to friends and family, some who are immune-compromised or vulnerable in other ways. Vaccination is the best way to keep kids healthy and safe.

Children who are infected with COVID-19 can develop “Long COVID-19” or persistent symptoms that often include brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath. 

Children who get infected with COVID-19 are at greater risk for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

At this time, COVID-19 vaccines are not authorized for children younger than 5 years old. Clinical trials are in process for younger children. Unvaccinated children ages 2 years and older should continue to wear a mask in public spaces and around people they don’t live with. 

Here’s information for protecting unvaccinated family members, until they are eligible or able to receive the vaccine.

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because, even though you will have some immunity after you have recovered, it estimated that it only lasts a few months. Also the COVID-19 virus mutates constantly creating new variants, like the Delta variant. That means that the COVID-19 you have recovered from may not be the variant that is circulating in your community currently.

A new CDC study published recently found that unvaccinated people who’d recovered from Covid were five times as likely to catch it again, compared to people who got two doses of an mRNA vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna.

According to the study vaccine-induced immunity against Covid is more protective, robust and consistent than natural immunity. In other words, a vaccine will protect you significantly more against getting Covid again, a particular concern as new mutations develop.

The CDC's Official Recommendations:

The CDC currently recommends that people get vaccinated against COVID-19, even if they've had the virus. There are some things to keep in mind though:

• The CDC recommends waiting 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you received a monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatment when you had the virus. 
• If you have a history of multi system inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) or children (MIS-C), the CDC also recommends delaying the vaccine until you've recovered and it has been 90 days since you were diagnoses. 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1029-Vaccination-Offers-Higher-Protection.html

Which booster shot do I get? 

Scheduling Your Booster Shot

Booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccines are free and widely available at a variety of locations. Community members should visit vaccines.gov or call (919) 913-8088 to find and schedule an appointment.

A small percentage of community members need an additional dose of their primary series in order to reach full immunity.

• People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised.
• CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccineor Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
• This additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series
• An additional dose is different from a booster shot. READ MORE about the difference between the two. 

COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies and other infection-fighting cells that protect you in case you are infected with the virus.

Watch a short video to learn how vaccines fight COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.

Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose. For this reason, the FDA required each of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to be studied for at least two months (eight weeks) after the final dose.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:

PDF from CDC: What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 vaccine

Usually, vaccine testing and production are done in multiple, time-consuming, separate steps over several years. Because of the pandemic, the federal government provided special funding to vaccine researchers and manufacturers to allow development, testing and production to happen at the same time. No steps are skipped but the timeline for development can go faster.

Vaccines that have been authorized from Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccine technology has been studied and worked with for decades. Interest has grown in these vaccines because they can be developed in a laboratory using readily available materials. This means the process can be standardized and scaled up, making vaccine development faster than traditional methods of making vaccines.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a viral vector vaccine, a technology first created in the 1970s. For decades, hundreds of scientific studies of viral vector vaccines have been done around the world. They have been used against other infectious diseases like Ebola, Zika, flu and HIV. 

When a vaccine is authorized by EUA, volunteers who get the COVID-19 vaccine are monitored for a shorter time than with the traditional vaccine approval process. Testing for any COVID-19 vaccine involves thousands of volunteers, and at least half of the volunteers are followed for at least 2 months after their last vaccine dose (rather than the 6 or more months in a traditional process). However, by two months, most side effects from vaccines are expected to surface. 

It is possible that rare side effects may only be seen when millions of people are vaccinated. For this reason, the safety of COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be monitored after they are given.

No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.

Learn more about the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccinations authorized for use in the United States.

No. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips. Vaccines are developed to fight against disease and are not administered to track your movement. Vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that disease, without having to get the disease first.

Learn more about the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccinations authorized for use in the United States.

Learn more about how mRNA COVID-19 vaccines work.

No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.

Learn more about mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines.

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 5 years of age or older, including people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future, as well as their partners.

Currently no evidence shows that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and people who would like to have a baby.

"Unfounded claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility have been scientifically disproven," the American Academy of Pediatrics -- which represents doctors who specialize in treating children -- says in a statement on its website.

"There is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies," it adds.

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.

If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.

Learn more about the possibility of COVID-19 illness after vaccination

The first does of an mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) only partially protects you. The second dose is needed to get the maximum immunity to protect yourself from severe illness. It is never too late to get the second shot! You are more than welcome to visit one of our walk-in clinics or pop-up clinics to complete your series. It will be helpful to bring the CDC vaccine card you received at your first shot so the vaccine provider will know which vaccine to administer and to make sure you have a record of it. If you have questions, call 919-913-8088.

Our mobile vaccination team can help! Fill out this form:

www.orangecountync.gov/MobileVax

or call 919-245-6127 to leave a message. The mobile vaccine team will get right back to you to schedule a visit. 

You may either call 919-913-8088 or visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-vaccine-portal-residents to get a new copy. 
PDF: Accessing Your COVID-19 Vaccine Record, English, Spanish

Please fill out the Orange County Vaccination Event Request form: https://www.orangecountync.gov/FormCenter/Health-6-6/Orange-County-Vaccination-Event-Request-272-272

Quarantine is when you have been exposed to the virus and may or may not be infected AND you do not have any symptoms.

Isolation is when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms. Isolation separates people who are infected with the virus from others, even in their own home. When in isolation / quarantine you should:

• Stay in a separate room from other members of your household, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom from other members of your household, if possible.
• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• Don’t share personal household items, such as towels, bedding, cups and utensils.
• Wear a well-fitting mask, especially when you need to be around other people in your house.

READ MORE: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18833/isolation_quarantine_jan_2022-social-media-cards

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate.

This applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

You should:

• Stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you may leave your house. You should continue to isolate until you are fever free for

24 hours without taking any fever reducing medications.

• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you have a fever, continue to isolate.

It should be noted that certain settings such as health care, long-term care facilities and congregant living have different guidance.

Learn more from the CDC website:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

READ MORE: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18833/isolation_quarantine_jan_2022-social-media-cards

Treat “Day Zero” as the first day you experienced symptoms.

If you received a positive test but are asymptomatic, treat “Day Zero” as the day you tested positive.

• “Day One” of isolation is the first full day after you exhibited symptoms, or the first full day after you tested positive for asymptomatic people.
• You can leave isolation after five full days.

For example: If you have tested positive for COVID and experienced symptoms for the first time on a Sunday, Sunday is your Day Zero.

Monday would be your Day One.

Friday would be your fifth full day of isolation, and you could leave isolation after completing the fifth day.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) …

AND you are up to date on vaccination

and have no symptoms, the guidance says:

If you have been boosted

OR

Have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

You should:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) … 

AND are NOT UP TO DATE on your vaccination (see below for definition) or are unvaccinated the guidance says:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Are unvaccinated

You should:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you are immunocompromised, please speak with your medical provider to determine if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination.

When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms? 

If you tested positive for COVID and had symptoms, you can leave isolation after five full days if you meet the criteria below:

• If you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved, you can end isolation after your fifth full day. The loss of taste and smell may last for months after your diagnosis, so you do not need to wait for those symptoms to subside before ending your 5-day isolation.
• If you continue to have a fever or your other symptoms have not improved after five full days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

After ending your isolation, you should still wear a well-fitting mask around others in your home and in public. If you cannot wear a mask around others or in public, you should isolate for a full 10 days.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) …

AND you are up to date on vaccination

and have no symptoms, the guidance says:

If you have been boosted

OR

Have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

You should:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) … 

AND are NOT UP TO DATE on your vaccination (see below for definition) or are unvaccinated the guidance says:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Are unvaccinated

You should:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you are immunocompromised, please speak with your medical provider to determine if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination.

When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms?

If you tested positive for COVID and had symptoms, you can leave isolation after five full days if you meet the criteria below:

• If you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved, you can end isolation after your fifth full day. The loss of taste and smell may last for months after your diagnosis, so you do not need to wait for those symptoms to subside before ending your 5-day isolation.
• If you continue to have a fever or your other symptoms have not improved after five full days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

After ending your isolation, you should still wear a well-fitting mask around others in your home and in public. If you cannot wear a mask around others or in public, you should isolate for a full 10 days.

READ MORE: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18833/isolation_quarantine_jan_2022-social-media-cards

If you tested positive for COVID and had symptoms, you can leave isolation after five full days if you meet the criteria below:

• If you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved, you can end isolation after your fifth full day. The loss of taste and smell may last for months after your diagnosis, so you do not need to wait for those symptoms to subside before ending your 5-day isolation.
• If you continue to have a fever or your other symptoms have not improved after five full days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

After ending your isolation, you should still wear a well-fitting mask around others in your home and in public. If you cannot wear a mask around others or in public, you should isolate for a full 10 days.

Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html