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A young person waits to receive a Covid-19 vaccination jab at Twickenham rugby stadium in London, England. File Photo by Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- An independent British advisory committee on immunization announced Monday a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot will be available in the spring for people aged 75 and over.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization advised in a statement an additional spring booster dose for people who are "the most vulnerable," including people aged 75 and older, elder care home residents and people aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
This will be the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose older people in Britain have been offered and the fifth vaccine shot offered to people with a severely weakened immune system.
The committee advised receiving the extra spring dose around six months after their last dose.
The JCVI added in the statement that vaccine immunity "declines over time," and many in the older population received their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine in September or October.
Eligible adults will be offered either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while eligible people under 18 will be offered only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to the statement.
"Last year's booster vaccination program has so far provided excellent protection against severe COVID-19," Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of COVID-19 vaccination on the JCVI, said in the statement.
"To maintain high levels of protection for the most vulnerable individuals in the population, an extra spring dose of vaccine is advised ahead of an expected autumn booster program later this year," Lim said.
The announcement comes on the same day that Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to lift COVID-19 restrictions in a new plan, citing lower daily case numbers since their peak of 273,526 new cases on Jan. 4.
According to Johnson's plan, contact tracing will end and the legal requirement for those who test positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate will end on Thursday, although people are still advised to self-isolate.
The government will release updated guidance in April that will lay out "ongoing steps that people with COVID-19 should take to be careful and considerate of others," Johnson added.
A day earlier Queen Elizabeth II, 95, who received three vaccine shots tested positive for COVID-19 and has been experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms."
The country reported 38,409 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and 15 more deaths within 28 days of a COVID-19 positive test, compared to 25,696 new cases and 74 deaths reported on Sunday.
Eighty-five percent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated and 66.1% has received a booster or third dose, the government data showed.
"Thanks to our COVID vaccine rollout we're now the freest country in Europe," British Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted Monday.
In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server and under consideration at a Nature Portfolio Journal, researchers assessed the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in patients experiencing long COVID.
Study: Efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination on the symptoms of patients with long COVID: a target trial emulation using data from the ComPaRe e-cohort in France. Image Credit: Starocean/Shutterstock
COVID-19 cases, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), have surpassed 420 million cases globally. Although the disease subsides within 14 days, some infected individuals experience a long-form of COVID-19 (long COVID) wherein the symptoms linger for a prolonged period, i.e., several months after initial infection.
Long COVID can cause multiorgan dysfunction and adversely impact the lives of patients. According to one study, over 85% of the long COVID patients complain of lingering symptoms even after a year post-onset. There is no treatment for long COVID other than general advice, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and self-management. However, it has been speculated that vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 can help ameliorate long COVID, but there is little evidence to support this notion.
In the current study, researchers carried out a target trial emulation to evaluate the effects of vaccination on the symptoms of patients with long COVID in France. The authors used data from the ComPaRe (Communaut de Patients pour la Recherche) long COVID cohort, an ongoing prospective e-cohort of patients with long COVID.
Long COVID patients were categorized in the vaccination cohort if they received a COVID-19 vaccine between the study baseline and 60 days, and non-vaccinated subjects were classified as controls. Propensity score matching was performed between the two cohorts, and patients were assessed at two intervals during the study, first at 60 days and the other at 120 days post inclusion in the study. Patients were asked to complete an online questionnaire at these intervals enquiring about the symptoms.
Patients reporting the persistence of symptoms had to undertake subsequent assessments with long COVID symptom (ST) and impact tools (IT), which examine the 53 known symptoms of long COVID and six dimensions of lives impacted by the disease.
The researchers analyzed data from about 910 adults who had a confirmed or suspected infection and reported persistence of COVID-19 symptoms after more than three months of illness with at least one symptom associated with long COVID. The median age of the subjects was 47 years, and a large proportion (80.5%) of them were females, and more than 60% had a confirmed history of COVID-19.
Half of the subjects were vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Among the vaccinated, around 359 (78.9%) individuals received the BNT162b2 vaccine, 48 subjects injected with ChAdOx1 vaccine, 47 patients with the mRNA-1273 vaccine, and just one individual received Ad26.COV2.S vaccine.
About 16.6 and 7.5 % of patients, respectively, in the vaccination and control cohorts, had remission of all long COVID symptoms at 120 days after study baseline. The long COVID ST score was slightly higher in the control group (14.8) than in the vaccination cohort (13). The long COVID IT score was lower for vaccinated subjects (24.3) than controls (27.6), implying that the impact on patients' lives due to long COVID was significantly lower in the vaccination cohort than in the control group.
Twenty-six patients (5.7%) from the vaccination cohort reported adverse effects following vaccination, with two of them being hospitalized for deep vein thrombosis and meningitis. Some of them (2.8%) reported relapse of long COVID symptoms, and others (1 %) developed known vaccination-induced local and systemic reactions (pain at the site of injection, mild fever, etc.)
The authors reported that COVID-19 vaccination could reduce the severity of long COVID and its impact on patients' lives. With just two serious adverse effects of vaccination in long COVID patients, they suggested that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are safe for these patients. The participants were infected with COVID-19 before May 2021, and thus, the study could not account for infections due to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant as the first case of Delta variant was reported in June 2021 in France.
Moreover, the team postulated that long COVID might be due to any of the following three reasons: 1) persistent viral reservoir, 2) stimulation of immune system due to the presence of viral fragments, and 3) autoimmunity due to infection. Nonetheless, further research is required to investigate the exact mechanism of long COVID-19 and develop therapeutics and prophylactic measures for long COVID.
Research Square publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Japan and UNICEF sign exchange notes to expand COVID-19 vaccination in Egypt
CAIRO - 21 February 2022: UNICEF and the Government of Japan signed and exchanged notes for a new collaboration between UNICEF and the Embassy of Japan titled Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination in Egypt at the premises of the Ministry of International Cooperation. This collaboration aims to support the COVID-19 vaccination in Egypt and to establish effective cold chain systems for vaccines storage.
The notes were signed by H.E. Mr. Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador Designate of Japan, and Dr. Fazlul Haque, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Egypt, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, and H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and acting Health Minister and Population.
The project Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination in Egypt will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) throughout Egypt.The $3.4 million grantprovided by the Government of Japan will support increasing the number of vaccination centers and ensuring effective vaccination, while reinforcing regular immunization programmes in the country.
This project is building on a previous contribution from Japan when 700,260 doses of the Japanese-made AstraZeneca vaccine were provided to Egypt via the COVAX facility in December 2021. In addition, Japan has supported in facilitating the last one mile in the safe and steady delivery of vaccines to Egyptian people by the improvement of cold chain for vaccines to tackle human security crisis, posing threats to individuals survival, livelihood and dignity caused by the current pandemic.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, acting Health Minister pointed out on the importance of this tripartite agreement between Egypt, Japan and UNICEF; in strengthening the states plan to combat the pandemic, by establishing effective cold chains in 500 vaccination sites, securing vaccines storage and transportation, and training medical teams, in addition to urging citizens to be vaccinated against the Corona virus through social media platforms.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar thanked the Ministry of International Cooperation for its continuous cooperation in the framework of supporting the ministrys efforts to combat COVID-19, as well as cooperation with the Japanese side and UNICEF in many aspects that support enhancing health care.
From her side, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, said: Multilateralism is now needed more than ever to set and implement global standards and frameworks across all stakeholders. Egypts active engagement with development partners has contributed to national efforts to mitigate the repercussions of the pandemic. Our collaboration with Japan and UNICEF is a case in point. Enhancing the vaccination distribution process reflects international cooperation that directly impacts human lives.
Fazlul Haque, acting UNICEF Representative in Egypt, said: UNICEF would like to express its gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continuous support to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the procurement of vaccination equipment, the upgrade of cold chain systems, training frontline health workers, and encouraging public demand for vaccination. We are committed to implement the interventions plans and to ensure that vaccines reach those who should be vaccinated.
Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination in Egypt project aims at establishing effective cold chain systems at 500 vaccination sites and ensuring vaccine security during storage and transportation. It also aims at training the medical team to safely administer COVID-19 vaccines. It will also highlight the importance of vaccination and encourage the use of preventive measures through social media platforms as well as strengthening the monitoring and reporting systems.
UNICEF is a key partner to the Ministry of Health and Population in the medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak of the disease, UNICEF provided Personal Protective Equipment to over 110,000 frontline health workers and a significant number of disinfectants, soap, ventilators, and other life-saving equipment to COVID patients in public hospitals. UNICEF has also reached more than 65 million people with COVID-related messages.
The Houston Health Department is announcing the schedule for sites offering freeCOVID-19 vaccinations and testingduring the week of February 21, 2022. Over a dozensites offering vaccinations and more than 30 testing sites are on the schedule for the week.
Vaccination and testing at health department-affiliated sites does not requireproof of residency, citizenship, or insurance.
Site locations, schedules, and appointment information isavailable atHoustonHealth.orgor by calling 832-393-4220.
Fixed Vaccination Sites
The departments new vaccination incentive programwill award 12 people $1,000 gift cards and provide $50 gift cards to hundreds of additional people.
People who get their first dose or booster shot at eligible health department vaccination sites between January 29 and March 10, 2022, will be entered into drawings for $1,000 gift cards. Two $1,000 winners will be selected everyFridaythroughMarch11for a total of 12 winners over six weeks.
Any dose of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available at the departments fixed sites, located at:
Health center and multi-service center vaccination sites close at 11:30 a.m. on the secondWednesday of the month.
Pop-up Vaccination Sites
The department and its partner agencies will offer Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccinations at a pop-up sitelocatedat:
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for ages 18 and up and Pfizer is authorized for ages 5and up.
In-Home Vaccination
Free in-home COVID-19 vaccination is available to qualifying older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans.
People may call 832-393-4301 to about qualify for the program.
Testing Sites
The department and its partner agencies offer dozens of free COVID-19 testing sites across the city.
A list of testing sites and schedules isavailable at HoustonHealth.orgor by calling 832-393-4220.
The CDC recommends people who have symptoms and most people who hadclose contact(within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19 be tested for COVID-19 infection.
Vaccination and testing site schedules may shift during the week to meet community need. Find the latest information at HoustonHealth.orgor by calling 832-393-4220.
What's the difference between the Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?
Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech are actually the same vaccine. Before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a vaccine, it's known by the company that created it (Pfizer). Once the FDA granted approval, Pfizer chose a brand name for the vaccine (Comirnaty).
In November 2021, Pfizer released an updated formula of the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. The update allows providers to administer the vaccine without using a diluent. Providers can still use any remaining vials of the formulation for people 12 years and older. Children 5 to 11 years old may only get the pediatric formula of the vaccine.
For full approval, the FDA evaluates data over a longer period of time than for an emergency use authorization. For the vaccine to be given full approval, the data must show a high level of safety, effectiveness, and quality control in vaccine production. The purpose of emergency use authorization is to ensure that people can get lifesaving vaccines prior to a longer-term analysis of data. However, EUA still requires a very thorough review of clinical datajust over a shorter period of time.
Three vaccines are authorized for emergency use or fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These vaccines are currently offered in Washington state.
The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies (fighter cells) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.
When enough people in the community can fight off the coronavirus, it has nowhere to go. This means we can stop the spread quicker and get a little closer to ending this pandemic.
This short video explains how COVID vaccines are made.
A messenger RNA, or mRNA vaccine is a new type of vaccine. mRNA vaccines teach your cells how to make a harmless piece of the spike protein. The spike protein is what you see on the surface of the coronavirus. Your immune system sees that the protein doesn't belong there and your body will start to build an immune response and make antibodies. This is similar to what happens when we naturally get a COVID-19 infection. Once it does its job, the mRNA quickly breaks down and the body clears it away in a few days.
Although we have used mRNA for other types of medical and veterinary care in the past, creating vaccines using this method is a huge leap forward in science and may mean future vaccines can be created more easily.
You may read more about how mRNA vaccines work on CDC's website, or watch this video from Dr. Paul Offit at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
This type of vaccine uses a weakened version of a different virus (the vector) that gives your cells instructions. The vector enters a cell and uses the cell's machinery to create a harmless piece of the COVID-19 spike protein. The cell displays the spike protein on its surface, and your immune system sees that it doesn't belong there. Your immune system will start to make antibodies and activate other immune cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. Your body learns how to protect you against future infection with COVID-19, without you having to get sick.
Like other routine vaccines, the most common side effects are a sore arm, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.
These symptoms are a sign that the vaccine is working. In the Pfizer and Moderna trials, these side effects occurred most often within two days of getting the vaccine, and lasted about a day. Side effects were more common after the second dose (of the initial two-dose series) than the first dose. In the Johnson & Johnson clinical trials, side effects lasted an average of one to two days.
For all three vaccines, people over age 55 were less likely to report side effects than younger people.
Clinical trials found that approximately:
You may see some rumors about untrue side effects online or on social media. Make sure any time you see a claim about a side effect that you check the source of that claim. This video can teach you more about how to figure out if a claim online is true or not.
The ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines are pretty typical for vaccines. They contain the active ingredient of mRNA or modified adenovirus along with other ingredients like fats, salts, and sugars that protect the active ingredient, help it work better in the body, and protect the vaccine during storage and transport.
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines do not contain human cells (including fetal cells), the COVID-19 virus, latex, preservatives, or any animal by-products including pork products or gelatin. The vaccines are not grown in eggs and do not contain any egg products.
See this Q&A; webpage from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for more information about ingredients. You can also find the full ingredients lists in the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson fact sheets.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was created using the same technology as many other vaccines. It does not contain parts of fetuses or fetal cells. One piece of the vaccine is made in lab-grown copies of cells that originally came from elective abortions that took place over 35 years ago. Since then, the cell lines for these vaccines have been maintained in the lab and no further sources of fetal cells are used to make these vaccines. This might be new information for some people. However, vaccines for chickenpox, rubella and hepatitis A are made in the same way.
This is a myth circulated online by non-scientific sources. There is no evidence that any vaccine affects fertility, including COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to get pregnant. See Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients for more information. You can also see our FAQ on vaccines and pregnancy.
See the FDA COVID-19 Vaccines webpage for facts about the vaccines. Once additional vaccines are authorized, the FDA will share their information as well.
An EUA allows the FDA to make a product available during a declared state of emergency before it has a full license. Any EUA granted by the FDA is further vetted by the Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, as part of the Western States Pact.
On October 27, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Washington joined other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines once authorized by the FDA. This workgroup will provide another layer of scrutiny and expert review to this process.
The Scientific Safety Review Workgroup includes Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and California. Inslee announced Washington's representatives to the workgroup on Nov. 9.
The panel includes experts appointed by all member states, and nationally recognized scientists with expertise in immunization and public health. When the FDA authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, the panel reviews all publicly available data concurrently with federal reviews, and presents a report as soon as possible. This process took place for the three vaccines we currently have available in Washington state, and will happen for all COVID-19 vaccines that are granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the future. Review usually takes about 1 to 2 days and is completed before the first vaccine shipment arrives in Washington, so it does not delay the process.
Read the findings of the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup:
COVID-19 vaccination commonly comes with side effects, such as sore muscles or a fever. If you have symptoms after getting the vaccine, you may wonder if it's safe to work or go about your tasks safely. Employers may wonder if it's safe for a staff member to return to in-person work. It can take 1-2 weeks after your second shot before you are fully protected so you could still come down with COVID-19 if you are exposed before then. It's also important to remember that each person's immune system works a little differently and the vaccine won't work for approximately 1 in 2,500 people who are vaccinated.
This chart (PDF) helps you understand if you are reacting to the vaccine or if you might need to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate. If you have symptoms in the middle category, you may wish to seek medical care or to wait and see. If your symptoms go away in a day or two, it may have been just a vaccine reaction. If they continue or you feel like you should, seek medical advice. If there's a possibility you have COVID-19 or were exposed, please stay away from others as a precaution.
The vaccine should not be given to people with a known history of severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to a previous dose of an mRNA or viral vector vaccine, or to any ingredient of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or Johnson & JohnsonJanssen COVID-19 vaccines.
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines or injectable therapies may still be able to receive the vaccine. However, providers should do a risk assessment and counsel them about potential risks. If the patient decides to get the vaccine, the provider should observe them for 30 minutes to monitor for any immediate reactions.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that providers observe all other patients for at least 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine to monitor for an allergic reaction. See ACIP's interim clinical considerations for mRNA vaccines for more information.
It's normal to have some side effects after getting the vaccine. This can be a sign that the vaccine is working. If you experience a medical emergency after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you get sick after getting the vaccine, you should report the adverse event to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). An adverse event is any health problem or side effect that happens after a vaccination.
For more information about VAERS, see "What is VAERS?" below.
VAERS is an early warning system led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS can help detect problems that may be related to a vaccine.
Anyone (health care provider, patient, caregiver) can report possible adverse reactions to VAERS.
There are limits to the system. A VAERS report does not mean the vaccine caused the reaction or outcome. It only means that the vaccination happened first.
VAERS is set up to help scientists notice trends or reasons they should investigate a possible problem. It is not a list of verified outcomes of vaccination.
When you make a report to VAERS, you help the CDC and the FDA identify possible health concerns and make sure vaccines are safe. If any issues arise, they will take action and notify health care providers about potential issues.
Viruses mutate (change) as they spread from person to person. A variant' is a mutated strain of virus. Some variants disappear over time and some continue to spread in communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the virus variants that are concerning. Currently, several variants are concerning because they spread quickly and more easily, causing more COVID-19 infections.
Getting vaccinated helps slow the spread of the virus, and keeps variant strains in check. It also gives you strong protection against hospitalization and death for all known virus variants.
Some vaccinated people may still get infected with a variant strain, but research shows they tend to experience mild symptoms. It's important to get all recommended doses so you have maximum protection against variants.
Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your loved ones, and your community. High vaccination coverage will reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new virus variants from emerging.
Visit our pages on the COVID-19 variants and vaccine breakthrough for more information.
Death is not the only risk from having COVID-19. Many people who get COVID-19 only have mild symptoms. However, the virus is extremely unpredictable, and we know some COVID-19 variants are more likely to make you really sick. Some people can get very sick or die from COVID-19, even young people with no chronic health conditions. Others, known as COVID long-haulers may get symptoms that last for months and affect their quality of life. We also don't know yet all the long-term effects of COVID-19 since it's a new virus. Getting vaccinated is our best protection against the virus. Even if you're young and healthy, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes, even if you get vaccinated, you're required to wear a mask in public indoor settings. Find more information on our Masks and Face Coverings FAQ page. We also recommend you wash your hands often, stay six feet apart, and limit gatherings.
The COVID-19 vaccines work well, but they are not 100% effective. Some people may get COVID-19 even if they've been vaccinated. With the rise of more transmissible variants, it's important that all people take precautions such as wearing masks to reduce transmission of the virus.
Some people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get four doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Being immunocompromised means having a weakened immune system. This puts you in a high-risk group more likely than people with normal immune systems to contract COVID-19 and get severely ill from COVID-19. It also means that your body may not absorb the COVID-19 vaccine fully, requiring an additional dose for maximum protection.
You qualify for four total doses of COVID-19 vaccine if:
The CDC recommends that some people age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immune compromised and who got an mRNA vaccine as their primary series receive an additional (third) primary dose 28 days after their second dose. This is a total of three doses for the primary series. Five months after the primary series is completed, if you are at least age 12 you should get a booster dose for added protection.
Children ages 5-11 who are immune compromised should get an additional (third) primary dose of Pfizer vaccine, but do not qualify for a booster at this time. Children in this age range may not receive any vaccine other than Pfizer.
Immune compromised people who received Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine as their primary series should not receive an additional primary dose. They should follow the standard recommendation and receive a booster dose 2 months after their primary dose of Johnson & Johnson.
If you or your physician have any questions, please review the CDC guidelines for immunocompromised people or visit the DOH website. You may provide the link to this page or to the CDC's recommendations to your physician.
What's the difference between the Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?
Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech are actually the same vaccine. Before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a vaccine, it's known by the company that created it (Pfizer). Once the FDA granted approval, Pfizer chose a brand name for the vaccine (Comirnaty).
In November 2021, Pfizer released an updated formula of the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. The update allows providers to administer the vaccine without using a diluent. Providers can still use any remaining vials of the formulation for people 12 years and older. Children 5 to 11 years old may only get the pediatric formula of the vaccine.
For full approval, the FDA evaluates data over a longer period of time than for an emergency use authorization. For the vaccine to be given full approval, the data must show a high level of safety, effectiveness, and quality control in vaccine production. The purpose of emergency use authorization is to ensure that people can get lifesaving vaccines prior to a longer-term analysis of data. However, EUA still requires a very thorough review of clinical datajust over a shorter period of time.
Three vaccines are authorized for emergency use or fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These vaccines are currently offered in Washington state.
The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies (fighter cells) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.
When enough people in the community can fight off the coronavirus, it has nowhere to go. This means we can stop the spread quicker and get a little closer to ending this pandemic.
This short video explains how COVID vaccines are made.
A messenger RNA, or mRNA vaccine is a new type of vaccine. mRNA vaccines teach your cells how to make a harmless piece of the spike protein. The spike protein is what you see on the surface of the coronavirus. Your immune system sees that the protein doesn't belong there and your body will start to build an immune response and make antibodies. This is similar to what happens when we naturally get a COVID-19 infection. Once it does its job, the mRNA quickly breaks down and the body clears it away in a few days.
Although we have used mRNA for other types of medical and veterinary care in the past, creating vaccines using this method is a huge leap forward in science and may mean future vaccines can be created more easily.
You may read more about how mRNA vaccines work on CDC's website, or watch this video from Dr. Paul Offit at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
This type of vaccine uses a weakened version of a different virus (the vector) that gives your cells instructions. The vector enters a cell and uses the cell's machinery to create a harmless piece of the COVID-19 spike protein. The cell displays the spike protein on its surface, and your immune system sees that it doesn't belong there. Your immune system will start to make antibodies and activate other immune cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. Your body learns how to protect you against future infection with COVID-19, without you having to get sick.
Like other routine vaccines, the most common side effects are a sore arm, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.
These symptoms are a sign that the vaccine is working. In the Pfizer and Moderna trials, these side effects occurred most often within two days of getting the vaccine, and lasted about a day. Side effects were more common after the second dose (of the initial two-dose series) than the first dose. In the Johnson & Johnson clinical trials, side effects lasted an average of one to two days.
For all three vaccines, people over age 55 were less likely to report side effects than younger people.
Clinical trials found that approximately:
You may see some rumors about untrue side effects online or on social media. Make sure any time you see a claim about a side effect that you check the source of that claim. This video can teach you more about how to figure out if a claim online is true or not.
The ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines are pretty typical for vaccines. They contain the active ingredient of mRNA or modified adenovirus along with other ingredients like fats, salts, and sugars that protect the active ingredient, help it work better in the body, and protect the vaccine during storage and transport.
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines do not contain human cells (including fetal cells), the COVID-19 virus, latex, preservatives, or any animal by-products including pork products or gelatin. The vaccines are not grown in eggs and do not contain any egg products.
See this Q&A; webpage from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for more information about ingredients. You can also find the full ingredients lists in the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson fact sheets.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was created using the same technology as many other vaccines. It does not contain parts of fetuses or fetal cells. One piece of the vaccine is made in lab-grown copies of cells that originally came from elective abortions that took place over 35 years ago. Since then, the cell lines for these vaccines have been maintained in the lab and no further sources of fetal cells are used to make these vaccines. This might be new information for some people. However, vaccines for chickenpox, rubella and hepatitis A are made in the same way.
This is a myth circulated online by non-scientific sources. There is no evidence that any vaccine affects fertility, including COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to get pregnant. See Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients for more information. You can also see our FAQ on vaccines and pregnancy.
See the FDA COVID-19 Vaccines webpage for facts about the vaccines. Once additional vaccines are authorized, the FDA will share their information as well.
An EUA allows the FDA to make a product available during a declared state of emergency before it has a full license. Any EUA granted by the FDA is further vetted by the Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, as part of the Western States Pact.
On October 27, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Washington joined other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines once authorized by the FDA. This workgroup will provide another layer of scrutiny and expert review to this process.
The Scientific Safety Review Workgroup includes Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and California. Inslee announced Washington's representatives to the workgroup on Nov. 9.
The panel includes experts appointed by all member states, and nationally recognized scientists with expertise in immunization and public health. When the FDA authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, the panel reviews all publicly available data concurrently with federal reviews, and presents a report as soon as possible. This process took place for the three vaccines we currently have available in Washington state, and will happen for all COVID-19 vaccines that are granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the future. Review usually takes about 1 to 2 days and is completed before the first vaccine shipment arrives in Washington, so it does not delay the process.
Read the findings of the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup:
COVID-19 vaccination commonly comes with side effects, such as sore muscles or a fever. If you have symptoms after getting the vaccine, you may wonder if it's safe to work or go about your tasks safely. Employers may wonder if it's safe for a staff member to return to in-person work. It can take 1-2 weeks after your second shot before you are fully protected so you could still come down with COVID-19 if you are exposed before then. It's also important to remember that each person's immune system works a little differently and the vaccine won't work for approximately 1 in 2,500 people who are vaccinated.
This chart (PDF) helps you understand if you are reacting to the vaccine or if you might need to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate. If you have symptoms in the middle category, you may wish to seek medical care or to wait and see. If your symptoms go away in a day or two, it may have been just a vaccine reaction. If they continue or you feel like you should, seek medical advice. If there's a possibility you have COVID-19 or were exposed, please stay away from others as a precaution.
The vaccine should not be given to people with a known history of severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to a previous dose of an mRNA or viral vector vaccine, or to any ingredient of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or Johnson & JohnsonJanssen COVID-19 vaccines.
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines or injectable therapies may still be able to receive the vaccine. However, providers should do a risk assessment and counsel them about potential risks. If the patient decides to get the vaccine, the provider should observe them for 30 minutes to monitor for any immediate reactions.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that providers observe all other patients for at least 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine to monitor for an allergic reaction. See ACIP's interim clinical considerations for mRNA vaccines for more information.
It's normal to have some side effects after getting the vaccine. This can be a sign that the vaccine is working. If you experience a medical emergency after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you get sick after getting the vaccine, you should report the adverse event to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). An adverse event is any health problem or side effect that happens after a vaccination.
For more information about VAERS, see "What is VAERS?" below.
VAERS is an early warning system led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS can help detect problems that may be related to a vaccine.
Anyone (health care provider, patient, caregiver) can report possible adverse reactions to VAERS.
There are limits to the system. A VAERS report does not mean the vaccine caused the reaction or outcome. It only means that the vaccination happened first.
VAERS is set up to help scientists notice trends or reasons they should investigate a possible problem. It is not a list of verified outcomes of vaccination.
When you make a report to VAERS, you help the CDC and the FDA identify possible health concerns and make sure vaccines are safe. If any issues arise, they will take action and notify health care providers about potential issues.
Viruses mutate (change) as they spread from person to person. A variant' is a mutated strain of virus. Some variants disappear over time and some continue to spread in communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the virus variants that are concerning. Currently, several variants are concerning because they spread quickly and more easily, causing more COVID-19 infections.
Getting vaccinated helps slow the spread of the virus, and keeps variant strains in check. It also gives you strong protection against hospitalization and death for all known virus variants.
Some vaccinated people may still get infected with a variant strain, but research shows they tend to experience mild symptoms. It's important to get all recommended doses so you have maximum protection against variants.
Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your loved ones, and your community. High vaccination coverage will reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new virus variants from emerging.
Visit our pages on the COVID-19 variants and vaccine breakthrough for more information.
Death is not the only risk from having COVID-19. Many people who get COVID-19 only have mild symptoms. However, the virus is extremely unpredictable, and we know some COVID-19 variants are more likely to make you really sick. Some people can get very sick or die from COVID-19, even young people with no chronic health conditions. Others, known as COVID long-haulers may get symptoms that last for months and affect their quality of life. We also don't know yet all the long-term effects of COVID-19 since it's a new virus. Getting vaccinated is our best protection against the virus. Even if you're young and healthy, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes, even if you get vaccinated, you're required to wear a mask in public indoor settings. Find more information on our Masks and Face Coverings FAQ page. We also recommend you wash your hands often, stay six feet apart, and limit gatherings.
The COVID-19 vaccines work well, but they are not 100% effective. Some people may get COVID-19 even if they've been vaccinated. With the rise of more transmissible variants, it's important that all people take precautions such as wearing masks to reduce transmission of the virus.
Some people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get four doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Being immunocompromised means having a weakened immune system. This puts you in a high-risk group more likely than people with normal immune systems to contract COVID-19 and get severely ill from COVID-19. It also means that your body may not absorb the COVID-19 vaccine fully, requiring an additional dose for maximum protection.
You qualify for four total doses of COVID-19 vaccine if:
The CDC recommends that some people age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immune compromised and who got an mRNA vaccine as their primary series receive an additional (third) primary dose 28 days after their second dose. This is a total of three doses for the primary series. Five months after the primary series is completed, if you are at least age 12 you should get a booster dose for added protection.
Children ages 5-11 who are immune compromised should get an additional (third) primary dose of Pfizer vaccine, but do not qualify for a booster at this time. Children in this age range may not receive any vaccine other than Pfizer.
Immune compromised people who received Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine as their primary series should not receive an additional primary dose. They should follow the standard recommendation and receive a booster dose 2 months after their primary dose of Johnson & Johnson.
If you or your physician have any questions, please review the CDC guidelines for immunocompromised people or visit the DOH website. You may provide the link to this page or to the CDC's recommendations to your physician.
Background
The Collaborative, launched in February 2021, helps implement effective and equitable vaccine access strategies that centers the voices of people and communities most impacted by COVID-19.
DOH made an intentional choice to create a structure that allows all interested partners the option to participate on an on-going basis. This structure is based on the concept of collaboration, where a group of people work together around a shared project or mission.
The Collaborative ensures an equity and social justice lens is incorporated in DOH's vaccine planning and implementation efforts.
To ensure effective outreach and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine to all communities, DOH is intentionally centering the voices, feedback, recommendations and requests of communities and sectors disproportionally impacted. Communities disproportionally impacted include:
The Collaborative is guided by the direction of Collaborative Thought Partners. Collaborative Thought Partners are Collaborative members who take a more formal, active and represented role within the Collaborative to ensure it is community co-led, centers the communities and sectors that have been most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, addresses equitable vaccine distribution and access, and advances pandemic recovery efforts.
And the number of local COVID-19 patients has plummeted by 59% so far in February.
SAN ANTONIO COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to decrease in Bexar County over the weekend, and health authorities say 483 patients are receiving treatment in local hospitals as of Mondaythe fewest since Jan. 2 as the community continues to recover from January's spike.
The number of county patients has gone down by 29% over the last week while decreasing by 59% since the start of February. Of those 483 patients, 140 are in intensive care and 74 are using ventilators.
Meanwhile, just once in the last week has Metro Health tallied at least 1,000 new infections as the omicron variant loosens its grip on the San Antonio area. That includes 365 additional cases reported Monday, bringing the region's seven-day case average down to 452, a new low for 2022.
February has averaged 1,163 new infections a day, a far more manageable figure than the nearly 4,200 daily cases which were being reported in January. Just 685 infections were reported over the weekend, including a new 2022 low of 151 infections on Sunday.
Nearly 521,000 county residents have been diagnosed with the virus over the last two-plus years.
Four more virus-related deaths were reported Monday, bringing the local death toll to 5,231.
How Bexar County is trending
Vaccine Progress in Bexar County
The following numbers are provided by San Antonio Metro Health. A full breakdown can be found here.
The CDC states that "when a high percentage of the community is immune to a disease (through vaccination and/or prior illness)," that community will have reached herd immunity, "making the spread of this disease from person to person unlikely."
The City of San Antonio breaks down the vaccination rates by zip code on Metro Health's Vaccination Statistics page.
Coronavirus in Texas
The total number of coronavirus cases in the state since the pandemic began grew by 5,018 on Monday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. That total includes 3,439 new confirmed cases and 1,579 new probable cases. More details can be found on this page.
Monday's figures bring the total number of Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 to more than 6.517 million.
An additional 19 Texans have died from virus complications, meanwhile, raising the statewide death toll to 82,435.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include 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, and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
Experts determined there was consistent evidence these conditions increase a person's risk, regardless of age:
Human coronaviruses are usually spread...
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
Find a Testing Location
City officials recommend getting a COVID-19 test if you experience 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, or diarrhea.
Here's a Testing Sites Locatorto help you find the testing location closest to you in San Antonio.
Latest Coronavirus Headlines
Queen Elizabeth II has been infected with the coronavirus, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday, becoming one of the worlds most prominent figures to battle the virus and deeply rattling the country she has led for seven decades.
The palace issued few details about the condition of the queen, who turns 96 in April. She is one of several people at Windsor Castle who are infected, a palace official said, suggesting an outbreak at the royal residence, west of London, where the queen has spent most of her time since the pandemic engulfed Britain in March 2020.
Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid, the palace said in a statement. Her Majesty is experiencing mild coldlike symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week. She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.
Elizabeth met earlier this month with her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, who was later reported to be reinfected with the coronavirus and went into isolation. He last contracted a mild case of the virus in March 2020. The palace on Sunday did not address whether Charles was the source, but officials pointed to the number of cases at Windsor Castle, suggesting she could have been infected by others in the royal household.
The news of the queens illness came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was poised to relax the remainder of coronavirus restrictions in England, including a requirement to isolate for five days after receiving a positive test. Mr. Johnson will introduce plans on Monday to lift the regulations by the end of February, prompting some members of the opposition Labour Party to warn that he was acting rashly.
Britain reported 25,696 new cases on Sunday, accelerating a decline since the latest wave of the virus peaked in early January with more than 200,000 cases a day. Nearly 1,300 people were admitted to hospitals and 74 people died statistics that are also on the decline, but at a more moderate pace than cases.
Now is the moment for everybody to get their confidence back, Mr. Johnson told the BBCs Sunday Morning show, before the queens condition was made public. Hours later, on Twitter, the prime minister said he wished Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health one of a flood of well wishes from across Britain and around the world.
Britons have no shortage of experience with prominent public figures contracting Covid. In addition to Charles, 73, his wife, Camilla, tested positive four days after he did. His elder son, Prince William, had the virus in early 2020, disclosing it only months later. Mr. Johnson suffered a severe bout of Covid around the same time and ended up in an intensive care unit.
Still, even that alarming episode paled next to news that the queen, who recently marked her 70th anniversary on the throne and has reigned for longer than most Britons have been alive, had contracted a potentially deadly disease.
It comes on top of other health concerns about Elizabeth. In October, she canceled multiple public appearances, including a solemn anniversary to honor Britains wartime dead. She also has stiffness in her legs and has begun using a walking stick.
Last Wednesday, she appeared fragile at an audience with two senior military officers at Windsor Castle. When they asked how she was, the queen, smiling and clutching the stick, gestured to her legs, and said, Well, as you see, I cant move. Neither the queen nor her guests were wearing face masks.
Until recently, Buckingham Palace had gone to extraordinary lengths to protect the queen from exposure to the virus. She retreated to Windsor in early 2020 with her husband, Prince Philip, and lived in virtual quarantine for more than a year. When she addressed the nation during a particularly dark period, in April 2020, she recorded the speech with only a single camera operator in the room.
Elizabeth received a dose of a coronavirus vaccine in January 2021 at Windsor Castle, along with Philip. The palace has not confirmed any subsequent vaccine doses, but she is widely believed to have received two, as well as a booster. Charles and Camilla have confirmed they are fully vaccinated and boosted.
Buckingham Palace has been extremely circumspect with details about the queens health. In October, the palace confirmed that she had been admitted to a hospital for tests only after a London tabloid reported it. It did not say whether she had been tested for the virus after Charles was reinfected this month.
Philip died last April at age 99, and the queen was forced to isolate herself during his funeral service. A photographer captured a poignant image of her, grieving alone and wearing a mask, in a choir stall at St. Georges Chapel at Windsor.
That image has taken on political resonance in recent weeks, as Mr. Johnson has battled a scandal over parties held in Downing Street that violated lockdown restrictions. Two of the gatherings were on the evening before Philips funeral, prompting Mr. Johnson to apologize to the queen.
The circumstances of the queens infection remained wreathed in questions. Charles was at Windsor Castle on Feb. 8 for an investiture ceremony. He got the news that he had tested positive on Feb. 10 and postponed a trip to Winchester, England, at the last minute.
There were similar concerns about the potential exposure of the queen the first time Charles was infected. The princes royal household confirmed his positive test on March 25, 2020. He had met his mother on March 12, only a day before his doctors assessed he could have been infectious. A spokesman for the prince said on Sunday that he did not plan to issue a statement on the queens condition.
Given the transmissibility of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which is the dominant variant in Britain, public health experts said the queen could have picked it up from anyone. In addition to the military officers, she played host to other visitors, including a group on Feb. 5 that helped mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
Omicron is incredibly infectious possibly the most infectious disease in recent human history and its therefore unsurprising the queen has also tested positive, said Devi Sridhar, the head of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh. The queens advanced age, she said, was an added challenge.
Buckingham Palace tried to ease concerns about Elizabeth by issuing a congratulatory message from her to Britains womens curling team, which won a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches, and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success, she said.
A palace official said she had signed off on the statement on Sunday morning, before her condition was made public.
In recent weeks, Elizabeth seemed to be moving on multiple fronts to settle the royal familys business. Last week, her second son, Prince Andrew, reached an out-of-court settlement of a sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager.
The settlement spares the royal family the prospect of Andrew having to testify under oath about his contacts with Ms. Giuffre, which would have cast a long shadow over the queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
On the weekend she marked her accession, the queen said in a statement that she hoped that when Charles succeeded her, Camilla would be known as queen consort an endorsement that the couple had long sought.
We are deeply conscious of the honor represented by my mothers wish, Charles said in a statement. As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
On a blustery, rainy day in London on Sunday, people expressed anxiety about the queen, mixed with hope that she would get first-rate medical care. Above all, it seemed to drive home the reality that the coronavirus spares nobody.
It doesnt have boundaries, said Hussein Ahmed, 34, who was waiting for a bus in North London. It does not give a damn about whether you are the queen or a king or a normal civilian, a person in high power you are getting it.
Stephen Castle and Megan Specia contributed reporting.
Researchers showed last year that the elite school inside of lymph nodes where the B cells train, called the germinal center, remains active for at least 15 weeks after the second dose of a Covid vaccine. In an updated study published in the journal Nature, the same team showed that six months after vaccination, memory B cells continue to mature, and the antibodies they produce keep gaining the ability to recognize new variants.
Those antibodies at six months are better binders and more potent neutralizers than the ones that are produced one month after immunization, said Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at Washington University in St. Louis who led the study.
In the newest study, another team showed that a third shot creates an even richer pool of B cells than the second shot did, and the antibodies they produce recognize a broader range of variants. In laboratory experiments, these antibodies were able to fend off the Beta, Delta and Omicron variants. In fact, more than half of the antibodies seen one month after a third dose were able to neutralize Omicron, even though the vaccine was not designed for that variant, the study found.
If youve had a third dose, youre going to have a rapid response thats going to have quite a bit of specificity for Omicron, which explains why people that have had a third dose do so much better, said Michel Nussenzweig, an immunologist at Rockefeller University who led the study.
Memory cells produced after infection with the coronavirus, rather than by the vaccines, seem less potent against the Omicron variant, according to a study published last month in Nature Medicine. Immunity generated by infection varies quite a lot, while the vaccine response is much more consistently good, said Marcus Buggert, an immunologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden who led the study.
Although most people, vaccinated or not, show only a small drop in their T cell response against Omicron, about one in five had significant reductions of their responses of about 60 percent, Dr. Buggert said. The differences are most likely because of their underlying genetic makeup, he said.
Still, the recent studies suggest that in most people, the immunity gained from infection or vaccination will hold up for a long while. Even if mutations in new variants change some of the viral regions that T cells recognize, there would still be enough others to maintain a reasonably strong immune response, experts said.
