When, where, and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in D-FW: a thread #txlege#Vaccine
There are more than a dozen designated vaccination hubs in North Texas. Those eligible for a vaccine DO NOT have to live in those counties to be vaccinated at a hub.
Rules for registering at a local hub vary by city and county. Visit your county, city, or pharmacy website or call ahead of time for more information on the rules of the local vaccination hub.
The state health department has broken down vaccine distribution into three stages; Limited, Additional, and Broad supply. We are currently in the limited supply phase. The initial limited supply is meant to target those at higher risk of COVID-19 infection.
Those eligible for Phase 1A of vaccine distribution include those working in a hospital, EMS providers or home health care workers, public health/emergency response staff, & those who provide mortuary services to descendants with COVID-19.
Those eligible for Phase 1b of vaccine distribution include those who are 65 years of age or older, those who are 16 years of age or older with underlying medical conditions (i.e. Type 2 diabetes, cancer, COPD, Sickle cell disease, heart conditions, etc)
Health officials have not released details on Phase 1C eligibility requirements yet. This phase is anticipated to begin in spring.
There are two vaccines currently available: the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. For maximum immunity, both doses are required. It is important to make sure to take the same kind of vaccine for both doses.
If you have an active case of COVID-19 infection, you should wait 90 days to receive the vaccine. Additionally, the Pfizer shot is not recommended for those under the age of 16. The Moderna shot is approved for those 18 and older.
Avoid getting any other vaccines 30 days before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer shots may cause mild side effects such as chills, fatigue, and headache. In a clinical study, mild to moderate side effects were common within a week of vaccination. Most side effects occur within a day or two and go away in a few days.
Of more than 4 million first doses of the Moderna shot given between Dec. 21 and Jan. 10, only 1,266 serious side effects were reported. Of more than 1.8 million doses of the Pfizer shot administered between Dec. 14 and Dec. 23, only 4,393 had serious side effects (CDC)
Data is still being collected on the long term results of COVID-19. It is unknown whether someone can spread the virus after being fully vaccinated or how long immunity lasts after full vaccination.
As long as a large portion of the population is not vaccinated, it is important for people to continue taking steps to protect themselves and others from the virus such as wearing a mask and social distancing.