Corona viruses are a large family of viruses causing illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect your health and prevent disease. The COVID-19 vaccine works with your body’s natural defenses so your body will be ready to fight the virus.

As informed by state and federal guidelines, all Texans 6 months and older are eligible to receive the vaccine (Moderna- 18 and older; or Pfizer- 6 months and older).

For more information, visit the DSHS site.

Yes. People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19, and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. However, if you have active symptoms of COVID-19, it is not recommended you get the vaccine until you are no longer symptomatic. In addition, if you have received convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies as part of a positive COVID-19 treatment, it is recommended you wait 90 days to receive the vaccine.

The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. The COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through the same safety tests and meet the same standards as any other vaccines produced.

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development 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.

There are several different types of vaccines in development. All of them 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 a sign that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

The Food and Drug Administration and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices review the safety data for vaccines. We also have an internal team of experts who review available data. We will have more details and data to share as specific vaccine information is published.

Side effects that have been reported with the vaccines include:

• Injection site pain
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Joint pain
• Fever
• Injection site swelling
• Injection site redness
• Nausea
• Feeling unwell
• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)

There is a remote chance the COVID-19 vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, swelling of your face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over your body, dizziness and weakness.

For information on adverse reactions, please review the FDA fact sheets for the Moderna vaccine and/or the Pfizer vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19

Yes. Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself.

While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue:

• Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth
• Staying at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoiding crowds
• Avoiding poorly ventilated spaces
• Washing your hands often

At this time, HHM Health is administering the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.