Updated 1/19/2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to two COVID-19 vaccines. Doses of these vaccines are beginning to arrive in Oregon. Healthcare workers and first responders will be the first to get vaccinated. CMH began vaccinating frontline caregivers and first responders on Dec. 23, 2020.
The people who are most affected by the COVID-19 virus will have first access to the vaccination. In Oregon, that’s front-line healthcare workers who could be exposed to the virus at work. It may take several months for the vaccine to become available to everyone who wants it.
Clatsop County is currently in Phase 1A of a three-phase vaccine distribution plan. Please refer to Clatsop County Public Health for information about who will be offered the vaccine during this phase.
Vaccination is reason for hope. It’s one tool to help us end the pandemic. But, we need to continue using our safety measures to keep the virus from spreading. You should wear a mask, distance from others, wash your hands, avoid gatherings and stay home when you’re sick.
Read More:
Podcast: Preparing for the COVID-19 Vaccine with Dr. Regina Mysliwiec
COVID-19 vaccines are not yet available to the general public. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has developed a distribution plan. Check here for information about when and where you can get vaccinated.
Read More: OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Updates (Vacunas contra el COVID-19).
Vaccination is the safest way to develop immunity to COVID-19. Getting vaccinated keeps yourself, your family and your community healthy.
Vaccines help your immune system fight infections better and faster. When you get a vaccine, it sparks your immune response. This helps your body fight off and remember the germ so it can attack it if the germ ever invades again. Your immune system response can sometimes make you feel tired or ill for a few days after getting vaccinated. This is a sign that your body is learning how to fight the virus.
The most common side effects after vaccination are mild. They include:
Read More: OHA COVID-19 Fact Sheet
The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested for safety and were approved by the FDA. Studies show that they are 95% effective at preventing illness. Even if you do get COVID-19, the vaccine may keep you from getting seriously ill.
It’s important that everyone gets vaccinated so we can achieve community immunity. Together we can stop this pandemic!
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an important part of protecting yourself, but we can’t go back to “normal life” immediately. It will take time for most adults to get the number of shots needed for full protection against COVID-19. (The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require two doses.)
We’ll be able to get back to “normal life” when the number of infections drops significantly. In the meantime, it’s important to continue basic COVID-19 safety measures to stop the spread of disease. We don’t know yet if the COVID-19 vaccine prevents people from carrying the disease. You may still spread the virus to unvaccinated people, including your children or grandchildren.
For the time being, continue to wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and stay home when you’re sick.
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