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ONE ENEMY, THE WHOLE WORLD IS FIGHTING WITH

COVID-19

An Educational Toolkit to educate your communities on COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND GERMS.png

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

  • The virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus of 2019)

  • SARS-Co-V-2 is the name of the virus/bacteria – COVID-19 is the disease/illness

  • Identified in December 2019

  • Exact origin is still unknown

  • One of the deadliest viruses in human history

Doctor

Treatments for
Covid-19

  • Initial treatment consisted of medications repurposed for COVID-19. Currently, a variety of therapeutic options are available that include antiviral drugs (e.g., molnupiravir, paxlovid, remdesivir), anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (e.g., bamlanivimab/etesevimab, casirivimab/imdevimab, sotrovimab, bebtelovimab), anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., dexamethasone), immunomodulator agents (e.g., baricitinib, tocilizumab) are available under FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or being evaluated in the management of COVID-19.

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  • All clinical treatments based on the severity of illness or certain risk factors.

Pfizer & Moderna

vaccines said to be up to 95% effective at preventing severe illness/hospitalization in original variants.

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Johnson & Johnson

vaccine said to be up to 70% effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization in original variants. Efficacy waned over the course of months- reason boosters were recommended.

Monovalent

formulation ineffective against Delta and Omicron variants. A major reason for formulating and prescribing bivalent booster

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4 MAJOR DOSING CHANGES

2 shot series to Primary series and a booster Sept. 2021

  • Evidence showed: Efficacy began to wane over time Immunocompromised (individuals on immunosuppressants) needed a 3rd dose to adequately protect against virus.

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Primary series and booster + booster in vulnerable populations

  • Evidence showed: Vulnerable populations (older individuals, individuals with obesity, diabetes, high bp, asthma, heart diseases, etc.) were found to be at increased risk of severe illness/hospitalizations. These individuals required more medicine to protect against severe illness.

  • Previously prescribed amount of medication not protecting against new variants.

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Primary series + bivalent

  • Evidence showed: A new formulation was needed to protect against multiple variants.

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Bivalent only

  • Evidence showed: Natural immunity provided a layer of protection against severe illness and a majority of people in the U.S. have been previously infected with a SARS-Co-V-2 virus strain providing some natural immunity to protect against severe illness. Vaccination uptake low in individuals who haven’t received a vaccination, have only received 1 dose or have just received primary series dosing. Reduction in the amount of prescribed medicine hopes to encourage vaccination uptake in these individuals.

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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for People Aged 5 Years and Older WITHOUT

Immunocompromise

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DOSES RECOMMENDED:

1 dose of 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of prior vaccination history

  • New harmonized age cutoff for recommendations for young children for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech
    COVID-19 vaccines

  • Resulting in simplified recommendations for
    5-year-olds

  • 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose is recommended at least 2 months after receipt of the last COVID-19 vaccine dose

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Recommendations for People Aged ≥6 Months Who Are

MODERATELY or SEVERELY

Immunocompromised

  • Series of 3 homologous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses at time of initial vaccination. This could also include a history of receipt of 1 or more doses of Novavax or Jansen, including in combination with mRNA vaccine dose(s).

  • *Further additional doses) may be administered, informed by the clinical judgement of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances.

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Further additional doses should be administered at least 2 months after the last 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The burden of COVID-19 varies by age and underlying conditions status.

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COVID-19 burden is currently lower than at previous points in the pandemic, however there are still thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths each week.

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The majority of the U.S. populations has some level of immunity due to infection, vaccination, or both.

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Vaccine and infection-included immunity wane and new variants have emerged, suggesting that susceptibility remains and may increase over time.

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Racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Medical Consultation

Dosing Requirement & Updates 

Updated Dosing Requirements March 2022:

Additional booster for eligible individuals

  • Eligible individuals: Individuals 50 years and older or certain immunocompromised individuals

  • Johnson and Johnson no longer recommended

  • Individuals who received Johnson and Johnson are eligible to receive Pfizer and Moderna boosters

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Updated Dosing Requirements May 2022:

Booster now available for children 5-11

  • Ages 5-11 Primary Series

  • Pfizer - Primary Series at .2 ml medication per dose

  • Booster dose administered minimum 4-6 months after completion of primary series doses

  • Booster dose .2 ml medication

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Bivalent Boosters - September 2022:
Addresses multiple COVID-19 variants

  • Complete primary series to be eligible

  • Available to all individuals 5 years old and up

  • Pfizer - .3 ml of medication administer 3 months after completion of primary series for ages 12 and up

  • Pfizer - .2 ml of medication administer 3 months after completion of primary series for ages 5-11

  • Moderna - .5 ml of medication administer 3 months after completion of primary series for ages 12 and up

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Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines - April 2023

  • Monovalent vaccines no longer authorized for use

  • 1 dose primary series Pfizer ages 5 and up

  • 1 dose primary series Moderna ages 6 and up

  • Additional dose available for ages 65 and up at least 4 months after last bivalent booster

  • Special consideration for immunocompromised individuals

  • Additional doses available as prescribed or recommended by provider

  • Do I have to have my vaccination card?
    Presenting your vaccination card at the time of your vaccination helps us to quickly and easily view your latest documented vaccination but it is not a necessity. We can electronically access your vaccination records and we do verify prior to administering.
  • Can I mix and match vaccines i.e., if I had Moderna, is it safe to get Pfizer
    Yes. The CDC and FDA thoroughly reviewed the available data before making this recommendation.
  • Which vaccines do we offer?
    Currently, we offer Pfizer ages 5 and up and Moderna 12 and up.
  • Is there a difference in Pfizer and Moderna vaccine?
    The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines both use what’s called messenger RNA or mRNA. The mRNA contains genetic instructions that tell cells to make a particular protein found on the COVID-19 virus. When the human immune system detects that protein, it begins developing defenses against it, which prepares it for encounters with the actual virus. So, in terms of their approach to producing immunity, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the same. Effectiveness, original strain Pfizer - 91% effective at preventing severe illness with the original strain of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus in people age 16 and older. Greater than 89% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. 100% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus in children ages 12 through 15. 91% effective in preventing the COVID-19 virus in children ages 5 through 11. Protection appears to fade over time. Moderna- 94% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. Greater than 90% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. Effectiveness, omicron strain Pfizer - 64% to 68% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with typical immune systems within two months of vaccination based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. 43% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with weakened immune systems within four months of vaccination based on CDC estimates. Moderna- 64% to 68% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with typical immune systems within two months of vaccination based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. 43% effective at preventing hospitalization among adults with weakened immune systems within four months of vaccination based on CDC estimates. Medication dosing differs in Pfizer and Moderna.
  • How long do I have to wait in between doses to receive a new dose?
    The recommended wait time since your most recent dose is at least 8 weeks.
  • What variant does the vaccine protect against?
    The new COVID-19 vaccine formulation has been updated to protect against Omicron variant XBB.1.5 which is the current COVID viral infection driving most COVID-19 cases.
  • May I have another vaccination card?
    If your vaccination card is lost or full, we will be happy to provide you another upon request.
  • Will I get sick after receiving a dose?
    While it is common to experience some mild side effects from receiving a vaccine dose, there is no guarantee you will have any symptoms or side effects. Response to the introduction of the medication to your body’s immune system varies from person to person.
  • What are the potential side effects?
    What are the potential side effects? Injection site pain, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, some people have had heart problems after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Seek medical help if you have chest pain, shortness of breath or feelings of having a fast beating, fluttering or pounding heart within a week of getting the vaccine.
  • How often am I going to have to get vaccinated for COVID?
    Recommendations vary based on age and current health status. Everyone should receive at least 1 dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine.
  • Can I still going to get COVID if I get vaccinated?
    Being vaccinated does not ensure you will not get COVID. Vaccination efficacy wanes over time losing its effectiveness to prevent illness. There are other preventive measures you can take to better protect against breakthrough infection.
  • Can I get a COVID vaccine and a flu vaccine at or around the same time?
    Yes. It is recommended and safe for you to receive your flu vaccine at the same time you receive your COVID-19 vaccine and no significant drop in antibody response.
  • Am I going to get a gift card for getting vaccinated today?
    Unfortunately, our gift card program ended when the state of emergency ended but ask Brother Bankhead to see what he can offer.
  • Am I going to turn into a zombie or werewolf if I get vaccinated?
    There are currently no known reports of people turning into zombies or anything else. If you are the first, we ask that you please report your adverse reaction to the CDC prior to informing local news stations, your church or social media.
  • What is the vaccination age range?
    Any person 6-month-old and old can received the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Why should I get vaccinated?
    Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccine helps by creating an immune response without the potentially severe illness or post COVID conditions that can be associated the COVID infection. COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe illness and offer added protection to people who have had COVID including protection against being hospitalized from a new infection. Being vaccinated can also prevent transmission if a person experiences a COVID-19 breakthrough infection.
  • How long do I have to wait to get vaccinated after I get over COVID?
    There is no standard recommended wait period for getting vaccinated after getting over COVID. Getting vaccinated after infection provides extra protection against COVID infection and you may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months. However, certain factors could be a reason for getting vaccinated after infection sooner than later: Personal risk of severe disease, risk of disease transmission to a loved one.
  • Can I still get vaccinated if I have recently come in close contact with someone who had COVID?
    It is recommended to wait and few days after close contact to see if you begin experiencing symptoms. If you do not experience symptoms, take a COVID-19 test to determine if a viral infection is detected. If none is detected, get vaccinated.
  • Is this the new COVID-19 vaccine formulation?
    Yes. This is the new 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination.
  • What is the difference in this vaccine formulation and the others?
    This vaccine is designed to protect against currently circulating variants.
  • If I have already had my booster, can I still get vaccinated?
    It is recommended that all eligible people received the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. If it has been at least 2 months since your last booster, it’s time to get vaccinated.
  • If I am experiencing a runny nose, cough, chills, and/or body aches, can I still get vaccinated?
    These are symptoms of COVID-19 infection. We recommended getting tested prior to getting vaccinated. If test is negative, update your vaccination status.
  • Do I need to take something (Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin) before or after getting vaccinated?
    There are currently no recommendations of taking any of these medications prior to receiving a vaccination.
  • Will the vaccine help if I am experiencing Long Haul COVID?
    Getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination can lower risk of developing long haul COVID. Studies have also shown it may relieve COVID long haul symptoms.
  • If this is my first COVID-19 vaccination, how many more shots do I have to have?
    The current recommendation is 1 dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine if you are 5 years old or older with no immunocompromising. If you are immunocompromised and have not received any COVID-19 vaccine doses, receive 3 dose initial series. Pfizer - 2nd dose to be administered 3 weeks after first dose. 3rd dose administered 4 weeks after second dose. Booster should be administered at least 2 months after last dose. Moderna - 2nd dose to be administered 4 weeks after first dose. 3rd dose administered 4 weeks after second dose. Booster should be administered at least 2 months after last dose.

WANT TO VIEW UPDATES ON THE COVID-19 TIMELINE CLICK HERE

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