COVID-19 RESOURCES

Scientific understanding of how vaccines work tells us that it is very unlikely that the COVID-19 vaccines will cause any long-term side effects. You may get vaccine side-effects in the first 2 days after getting the vaccine. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away within a day or two. For two-dose vaccines, side effects are more common after the second dose. It is important to get the second dose even if you got side effects after the first dose unless a vaccination provider or your doctor told you not to. These vaccine side effects are normal and show that your body is learning to fight the virus and build up immunity. Not everyone gets these side-effects. Contact your doctor if you have: Vaccine side-effects that last more than 2 days, Symptoms that start more than 2 days after you get the vaccine Any of these symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell (as these are not vaccine side-effects) Symptoms that get worse or worry you. Tips to help with vaccine side-effects Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth to reduce pain and discomfort in your arm. It may also help to use or exercise your arm. To reduce discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly. Over-the counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil®) can help if you develop pain, fever, headache, or discomfort. You can learn more about vaccine side effects by visiting: LAC | DPH | After you get COVID-19 vaccine (lacounty.gov) Click below to learn more about what to expect after receiving Pfizer and Moderna vaccine in these languages: ENGLISH | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE | CHINESE To learn more about what to expect after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: ENGLISH | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE | CHINESE

The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19. None of the vaccines contain the virus that causes COVID-19. If you get COVID-19 after getting vaccinated you were infected by someone with COVID-19 around the same time you were vaccinated: It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show after you have been infected. If you get infected right before getting vaccinated, you might not get sick until after you get your vaccine It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show after being infected It is possible to get infected after you get vaccinated Protection from the virus takes up to two weeks after being fully vaccinated It can take up to 14 days for your body to build immunity to the virus Even though the vaccines are very effective, no vaccine is 100% effective. Normal Side Effects: Sometimes people get a fever or feel tired for a day or two after getting a vaccine. These are normal vaccine side effects, as the body is building immunity, and not illness caused by the virus. They do not last long and go away within a few days. Click below to learn more about how vaccines work in these languages: ENGLISH | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE | CHINESE

Black and Latinx communities are not being singled out. This concern is understandable. In the past, people of color have been lied to or forced to test drugs or medical procedures under unethical practices, placing their health at risk. Black and Latinx communities are being encouraged to get the vaccine because they have higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. The three vaccines that are available in the U.S. were tested on diverse populations This was done to make sure that the vaccines are safe and effective in those groups. It was also done to prevent these groups from becoming victims of medical neglect or racism Doctors and public health programs work hard to make sure Black and Latinx communities have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines LA County wants these hardest hit communities to have the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible because the stakes for Black and Latinx residents of LA are high. In the 30-day period ending September 25, unvaccinated Black and Latinx people had the highest case rates Across all racial and ethnic groups, infection rates among unvaccinated people remained two to three times higher than among vaccinated people. Black residents had the highest hospitalization rates among both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, and is 27% higher than the rate in the next highest group, Latinx residents. Among unvaccinated people, White residents had the highest death rates of all groups, followed closely by Latinx and Black residents. These numbers highlight the need to continue efforts that make it as easy as possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in our hardest-hit communities. Please read what you can about the vaccines from reliable sources. Talk to well-informed people you trust – your doctor, a science teacher, or pharmacist – and ask them about your questions and concerns. Your questions are important and deserve answers from knowledgeable and trusted individuals. Click on the links below to learn more about this information: COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS RELEASE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COVID-19 VACCINE MYTHS & FACTS

Doctors and scientists recommend that you get vaccinated even if you already had COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19. Natural immunity is the protection that you get after you had COVID-19 Getting vaccinated will boost your immunity for better and longer protection against COVID-19 A recent study found that unvaccinated people are more than two times likely to get infected again compared to vaccinated people Vaccination helps protect against more infectious forms of the virus such as the Delta variant that might not have been around when you first got infected Getting vaccinated will reduce your chances of getting COVID-19 again The vaccines are extremely good at preventing people from getting sick from COVID-19 and ending up in the hospital or dying. The vaccines reduce the risk of becoming chronically ill from COVID-19 and from missing work and school. COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19. To learn more about getting the COVID-19 vaccine visit: Los Angeles County COVID-19 VACCINES - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These vaccines could be made quickly and still be safe for several reasons: Scientists already had a head start because they had already studied other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. Scientists had also studied both RNA and viral vector vaccines. They are the types of COVID-10 vaccines that are used in the United States. The government provided a lot of money and resources for vaccine development. This made it easier for scientists to work together. Researchers used existing networks to conduct COVID-10 vaccine trials. The trials could start quickly because people were eager to take part. The review and authorization of COVID-19 vaccines were prioritized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). mRNA vaccines (the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines) are faster to make than traditional vaccines. Some of the stages to develop and produce the vaccines were done at the same time instead of one after another. What is important is that every step that must be followed to make a new vaccine and make sure it is safe was followed. No steps were skipped. To learn more, visit: ENGLISH | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE | CHINESE