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How does the COVID-19 Vaccine function within the body? (Spanish)

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¿Cómo funcionarían las vacunas contra el COVID-19 en el cuerpo?

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How does the COVID-19 Vaccine function within the body?

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How Would COVID Vaccines Work in Your Body (English, captioned)

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COVID-19 and Latino Health

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On COVID-19 vaccines:

A panel of Latino health experts answer frequently asked questions, debunk myths, and address concerns in Spanish regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

LCH Research Director Dr. Nathalia Jimenez answers questions in Spanish regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

LCH Research Director Dr. Nathalia Jimenez shares her experience of getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Spanish.

News articles:

Webinar: The Burden of COVID-19 on Latinx Communities in WA State

On September 23rd, 2020, the Latino Center for Health (LCH) hosted a webinar to raise awareness of the largely hidden disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Latinx communities across Washington State and to amplify community- and state-led response efforts happening in our rural and urban communities.

News articles:

COVID-19 Research

Understanding Washington Latinos' Experiences around COVID-19

Principal Investigator: Dr. Leo Morales

In collaboration with Sea Mar Community Health Centers, this research study seeks to survey 500 urban and rural Latino patients across Washington State to better understand their experiences surrounding COVID-19, including experiences around health and wellbeing, housing, employment, immigration, safety, and attitudes towards vaccinations.

Findings will be disseminated in April 2021.

Codeveloping Culturally Relevant Messages for Farmworker Safety and Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic

A project to assess and address the need for public health messages dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and targeted to Latino immigrants in Yakima County received a UW Population Health Initiative COVID-19 rapid response grant in May 2020.

LCH co-director Dr. Gino Aisenberg is one of the team's six co-investigators of the project, along with doctoral candidate Maria Blancas, Dr. Carmen Gonzalez, Dr. June Spector, Dr. Edward Kasner, and Elizabeth Torres from Northwest Communities Education Center and Radio KDNA

Read more about the project here.

Partnering with the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) to Advance their Community Response Efforts

WAISN has assumed exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep immigrant and refugee families healthy through its COVID-19 community response efforts, including the statewide COVID-19 immigrant response hotline and online resource finder. LCH humbly offered WAISN its research and evaluation expertise and resources in community and solidarity to advance these efforts.

Under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Baquero and in partnership with WAISN representatives, a group of graduate students from Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and Social Work conducted an impact evaluation of WAISN's COVID-19 immigrant response hotline to assess the reach and impact of this community response effort for program improvement and to inform future emergency efforts.

This group also participated in the WAISN healthcare access work group along with El Centro de la Raza, Northwest Health Law Advocates, and ACLU of Washington, and provided expertise in the development of a brief statewide survey to inform health equity for immigrants. This resulted in a campaign to increase access to healthcare services for immigrant communities.

Finally, this group of faculty and students helped WAISN boost its online resource finder by vetting healthcare organizations across the state that provide timely and adequate care for immigrants and refugees.

Other relevant news & peer-reviewed journal articles:

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News articles: On September 23rd, 2020, the Latino Center for Health (LCH) hosted a webinar to raise awareness of the largely hidden disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Latinx communities across Washington State and to amplify community- and state-led response efforts happening in our rural and urban communities.

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Sea Mar sites that have COVID-19 first dose vaccines available are offering them on a walk-in basis for those who meet eligibility requirements and are not scheduling appointments for first dose vaccines.

Before going to a clinic, check the list below for vaccine availability.

Sea Mar is currently offering first dose vaccines on a walk-in basis when we have received an allocation of first doses from the state. The list below will indicate if a site has first dose vaccines available. Everyone receiving a first dose will receive an appointment for their second dose. Patients receiving their first dose should receive a second dose appointment at the same time as registration. If not, they should stop by the front desk on their way out of the clinic to make a second dose appointment.

When first dose vaccines are available, Sea Mar will post availability below. Patients arriving for a first dose vaccine will be registered and will be given a place in line on a first come, first-served basis. We ask everyone to wear masks and maintain social distancing by allowing six feet between yourself and the next person in line. To avoid long outdoor wait times, patients will be registered and asked to wait in their cars until they receive a phone call to come into the clinic to have their vaccine administered. If you are a relative or care giver for an elderly person who cannot stand in line, you may register for them while they wait in the car.

Please note. Only Sea Mar employees with Sea Mar badges are authorized to register patients and provide vaccine time slots during walk in clinics. Do not accept vaccine time slots from anyone not wearing a badge. You must arrive at the clinic before 3pm in order to receive a vaccine that same day. However due to high demand, even if a clinic is listed as having vaccines available, they may run out of vaccines in the morning and may not be able to provide vaccines to everyone who walks in. We ask patients not to arrive to the clinic before 6am. Our clinics are monitoring this on-site and will communicate with everyone in line about the availability of vaccines to avoid unnecessary wait times. This webpage is updated as changes occur.

Patients who meet the following criteria are currently eligible to receive the vaccine:

If you are not included in the categories below, use the WA DOH Phase Finder Tool to find out when you will be eligible for a vaccine.

Healthcare workers

First responders

Staff and residents of long-term care facilities

Individuals who are age 65 years and older

Individuals who are age 50 years and older in a multigenerational household, which is defined as a home where individuals from two or more generations reside, such as an elder or grandchild.

We will provide updates as the vaccine opens to additional groups of patients who meet eligibility criteria outlined by the state. The timing for vaccinations for each group within the Sea Mar patient community will depend on available vaccine quantities and guidelines from the DOH. For more information on DOH vaccination plans, visit CovidVaccineWA.org.

As you await your opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and after you are vaccinated, please maintain the health and safety guidelines of masking, physical distancing, handwashing and avoiding indoor gatherings. Your collaboration on these precautions helps to control the unfortunate rise in COVID-19 cases that is continuing across our state and country.

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
The care and safety of our employees and the patients we serve is always our top priority. As with any vaccine, we will not distribute a COVID-19 vaccine unless it is recommended by the FDA as safe and effective.

The vaccine is not yet available to the general public
Initial supply of the vaccine is limited. Sea Mar is following DOH guidelines to equitably allocate vaccines. More information can be found atCovidVaccineWA.org

Stay vigilant to stop the spread of COVID-19
Now and after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine, it is extremely important that you continue to follow CDC guidelines. Continuing to take preventative measures such as washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering in public, and following physical distancing guidelines and government quarantine directives in your area, will help stop the spread of COVID-19.

How are COVID vaccines being made:
Watch this video below created by Washington State Department of Health:

How Would COVID Vaccines work in your body?
Watch this video below created by Washington State Department of Health:

Click on each question to get an answer.

When can I get vaccinated?

Currently, the vaccine is not yet available to the general public. We encourage you to talk with your doctor to understand where your age, occupation, health condition and other factors place you among prioritized groups.

The Department of Health has selected people in certain groups to get the vaccine first. Patients who meet the following criteria are currently eligible to receive the vaccine:

* Healthcare workers
* First responders
* Staff and residents of long-term care facilities
* Individuals who are age 65 years and older
* Individuals who are age 50 years and older in a multigenerational household, which is defined as a home where individuals from two or more generations reside, such as an elder or grandchild.

Eventually, everyone who wants to be vaccinated will have access to it. Visit findyourphasewa.org for more information about when you may be eligible to receive a vaccine.

What if I decide I do not want to get vaccinated?

Vaccines are important to keep you healthy, and to protect the people you care about. The more people who are vaccinated for COVID-19, the sooner we can be together again.

Without immunization, you place yourself at greater risk of severe illness or long-term health issues from COVID-19. When you get the vaccine, you also help protect people in high-risk groups that might not be able to get vaccinated themselves.

We understand this is an important decision. It is your right to decide if you want to receive a vaccine. You should use the most accurate information to make a decision. If you have any concerns about the vaccine, talk to your provider. It is their job to help you make the best choices about your health, like receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

What is the cost?

Sea Mar is offering the vaccine free of charge for everyone.

How do the vaccines work?

The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, it cause the body to develop fighter cells called antibodies. These fighter cells stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. COVID-19 vaccines do not cause COVID-19 illness. The vaccines don't include live or weakened virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.

How is the vaccine administered?

COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will require two shots. The first shot starts building protection, but everyone has to come back several weeks apart to provide the most protection. When a vaccine is given, information will be provided about when to get the second dose.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. COVID-19 vaccines must go through a rigorous and multi-step testing and approval process before they can be used. They will only be approved if they pass safety and effectiveness standards.. Vaccines are not approved if the U.S. vaccine safety system finds they may not be safe. Vaccines will also be monitored for safety once they are given.
Overall, the risk of an adverse reaction remains very low - especially when compared to the potential complications of a COVID-19 infection.
For more information about vaccine safety, read 8 Things to Know about the Coronavirus Vaccine from the CDC.

Are there side effects?

Some people might have symptoms like headache, a sore arm, fatigue, or fever after getting the shot. This is normal and a good sign that the body's immune system is building up protection. These symptoms usually go away on their own within a week. Contact your health care provider if:

- Side effects feel severe or last more than a few days
- Redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours (it is normal for the area to be a little sore for a few days)

When you receive your vaccination, you will get information about how to use your smartphone to sign up for V-Safe. V-Safe is the CDC's mobile app that helps you track health effects after you receive the vaccine.

If I receive the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to take precautions like wearing a mask?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are just one tool to help us end the pandemic. Continue to cover your mouth and nose with a mask around others. Wash your hands frequently. Stay at least 6 feet away from others. Avoid crowds and gatherings inside your home with people who don't live with you.

If I already had COVID-19, should I still get vaccinated?

If you've had COVID-19, you have natural immunity that may last months to years but is not indefinite. People who have had COVID-19 may be advised to get the vaccine because they could still be reinfected and could still possibly infect someone else.

Can I get vaccinated if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Yes, you can receive COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding. Even though pregnant and breastfeeding women were not included in the clinical trials, experts support vaccination to prevent infection.

Should children get vaccinated?

Children below the age 16 have not been included in current trials and are not considered a priority.

Will the vaccine make long-term changes to my DNA?

No, while the vaccine is made of a genetic material, it does not interact with the genome. It encodes for specific proteins (in this case the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus), which then gets decoded by the ribosome (protein making organelle/part of a cell) located outside of the nucleus where our genome is housed. mRNA in the cell is also degraded relatively quickly limiting long-lasting impact.

Where can I get more information about the vaccine?

For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccine approval process, we recommend reviewing the FAQs on the CDC and FDA websites at cdc.gov/coronavirus and www.fda.gov.

Follow these guidelines from the CDC

Click on the image above to download the COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet

Information is changing frequently. Please see the section below for resources.

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Sea Mar sites that have COVID-19 first dose vaccines available are offering them on a walk-in basis for those who meet eligibility requirements and are not scheduling appointments for first dose vaccines. Before going to a clinic, check the list below for vaccine availability.