COVID-19 Facts

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If infected, a person may experience some, all, or none of the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

In severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to serious illness and even death.

If you test positive, recovery can likely be spent at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6775rnLdAk

Quarantine

If you were exposed

Quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Isolate

If you are sick or test positive

Isolate when you are sick or when you have COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms.

COVID Prevention

COVID-19 is spread through droplets from talking, breathing, and coughing from an infected person. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, there are a few steps we can all take:

– Wear a mask in public spaces.

– Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.

– Avoid crowds.

– Stay home when you believe you may be sick.

– Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

– Get vaccinated and boosted!

COVID Vaccines

Bivalent Boosters: What does that mean?

A lot has changed since the pandemic began. We have learned that SARS-CoV-2 has gone through many mutations. This means that the virus we find in most cases today is not an exact copy of the one that emerged back in December 2019. Some mutations can be more resistant to vaccines. The CDC has been monitoring and classifying each new COVID-19 variant, common ones being Omicron and Delta. As of December 2022, the CDC estimates that the Omicron variant makes up about 98% of all cases. Because this virus replicates and mutates frequently, we must update our vaccines. That is why vaccines are now bivalent- meaning they provide protection from the original strain and Omicron strains.

It ensures a safe way to build immunity while also preventing serious health complications if you were to be infected with Omicron. Pfizer and Moderna have developed bivalent boosters to target both the original strain and the newer, more prevalent strains of COVID-19. 

Go to vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you and to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination. Protect yourself and your community.

Step Up Vax Up encourages you to stay up-to-date with immunization information by visiting the recommended sites listed on our website. 

COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death when people become infected with COVID-19.

Everyone 6 months and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

There are three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen. (Pfizer and Moderna preferred)

After vaccination, there may be pain, redness, and swelling near the site of injection and you may feel tired, have a headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea, but these should resolve on their own in a few days.

To find vaccines and boosters near you, go to https://www.vaccines.gov

Additional Facts

– As of June 2022, the FDA has approved the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine for children as young as six months of age to get vaccinated. (https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-and-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines-children)

– COVID-19 vaccines are safe, with over 650 million doses administered in the United States. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html)

– Booster shots are interchangeable, meaning people over 18 can receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster regardless of the type of their initial vaccine.

– Covid vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant people and can spread passive immunity to newborns, providing an extra layer of protection to the young. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html)

– Even those who have had COVID-19 benefit from getting vaccinated or boosted, lowering reinfection rates. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html)

– The science behind the COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA) has been researched for decades. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mRNA.html)

– To find out where you can get vaccinated or boosted, use vaccines.gov for up-to-date information on your closest providers. (https://www.vaccines.gov/search/)