If you or someone you know qualifies, call 211 to learn how you can receive the vaccine.
hope EVOLVING TOGETHER
on self-care:
If given the choice, many of us would prefer to shy away from hard discussions such as the COVID-19 pandemic our world is experiencing. This pandemic has ushered in social distancing, masking-up, contact limitations, and brought on a new level of loss and panic. We must remember, however, that we EACH have the ability to comfort and help others in some way. Perhaps this is the positive effect of this pandemic – it has become an equalizer between us all, across all people. And now together, we must consider the next step towards a safe future – the vaccine. For me, choosing to get vaccinated was about more than just my personal health, it was also for the ones I care about. I received the vaccine for my mom, my children, and my Hope team. It was important for me to be a part of lessening the spread of COVID-19. A number of Americans have already been vaccinated, and from this choice along with maintaining the safety precautions of social distancing and masking-up, we are finally experiencing a decline in cases for many areas. We recognize that this new vaccine is scary for some Americans. We are on heightened awareness simply because of the scares this pandemic has delivered – and now we need to choose to vaccinate or not-to-vaccinate. Just as concerning, data shows that the vaccine rates for African-American and Hispanic communities is lagging behind. The reasons vary from distrust to misinformation to language barriers – and ultimately fear. No matter the reason, hesitation is understandable. This is precisely why Hope has partnered with the Indiana Department of Health. Conquering indecision and fear is all about raising awareness and educating. We must be open to learn and share and work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope’s COVID-19 special edition shares personal stories from patients and healthcare providers, along with a wealth of information from the Indiana Department of Health. I encourage you to talk to your personal health care provider, call 211, or visit OurShot.IN.gov so that you can make an informed decision that is best for you and your loved ones. - Angelia Stone CEO of Hope Magazine
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE
COVID-19 VACCINE
COVID-19 has taken its toll, and we know that certain populations have been more severely impacted, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, heart conditions, and obesity.
in those groups. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare providers. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can protect you and the people you love from the disease. It will be available at no cost to you.
Health and social inequities have also put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.
ABOUT THE CLINICAL TRIALS In a clinical vaccine trial, thousands of diverse participants receive specific treatment. Pfizer’s vaccine trials had more than 43,000 participants. Moderna had 30,000 in its phase 3 trial. The researchers determine the safety of the vaccine and how well it works by measuring how the study participants respond. In this case, the outcome was immunity to COVID-19. They also watch for side effects. Each vaccine went through multiple phases of testing before it was released to make sure it was safe and effective.
A vaccine is now available, but in limited supply. The Indiana Department of Health is sharing updates on the vaccine at ourshot.in.gov to make sure that the vaccine is prioritized for those who need it most. There are three vaccines available now. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are called mRNA vaccines. They teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. This does not change a person’s DNA or cause infertility. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. This does not contain the virus that causes COVID-19 but instead uses a different, harmless virus to deliver a gene that instructs cells to make an antigen that will produce antibodies to COVID-19. The vaccine became available so quickly because it builds on work already done over the last decade to prevent other similar viruses. Every vaccine must pass several tests to make sure it is safe and effective before it is released. The vaccine does not contain any live virus, which means it can’t cause COVID-19. Thousands of people from all populations have tested the vaccine. Side effects that were reported by Pfizer include headache (2%) and fatigue (4%). The vaccine is not available for children because it is still being studied
ABOUT THE APPROVAL PROCESS After all phases of testing are completed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the research and decides whether to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. The FDA looks at how well the vaccine works, or its effectiveness, and at reported side effects. After the FDA authorizes use of a vaccine, it is made available only to the groups for which it was approved. Researchers, including the CDC, continue to study the vaccine under real-world conditions and continue to check for safety.
HERE’S WHAT HOOSIERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE
COVID-19 VACCINE Marion and Eva Mae Wilson Married couple in their 70s Marion and Eva Mae Wilson, both in their late 70s, have three children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even two great-great-grandkids. They’ve spent a lifetime raising a family, so it was only fitting that they were sitting together in one of four semi-private vaccine bays at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Eva Mae was excited to learn that she was eligible to receive the vaccine and hopes to serve as a role model for her children. “I had no hesitancy at all,” she said. “But all of my kids do!” She hopes her children will follow in her footsteps and get the vaccine when they can, especially when they see that their parents didn’t experience any significant side effects.
Felicia Shelby Eskenazi employee Felicia Shelby works in a hospital, but she initially was reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccine because of social media reports about possible side effects. Even though she knew most of what she was seeing was just rumor, the negative chatter made her hesitant to get the vaccine at first. Then she decided to rely on her faith to make a decision. “I put my faith first. I prayed about it,” she said. “God got me over the hump.” Although needles don’t bother her, Felicia knows some folks are afraid of them. They just don’t like shots. “But this was not painful at all,” she said. She didn’t want that to be the reason someone doesn’t get the vaccine. “Come find out for yourself,” she said.
Dr. Roland Walker Pediatrician “This vaccine represents hope for me. I can see it in people’s eyes that there is a sense that this is the beginning of the end. Both my parents have had COVID, and it’s a really serious disease. I’ve taken the vaccine and had two doses and I’ve done extremely well, and I feel good about it, so I would encourage people to do the same.”
Tamatha Hatton Healthcare worker “It was very important for me to get the vaccine because I work on the front lines, and important that I protect myself and my family. I’ve already had one dose. I’ll get the second dose, so I’m excited about this. Don’t be afraid – this will protect you, your family and everybody else.”
CLINIC WALK THROUGH What happens when I arrive to get my vaccine? • When you register, you will get a text message telling you the details of your appointment. • O n the day of your vaccination, go to the site. The main entrance might check to see if you have a fever or other symptoms of COVID before you proceed to the vaccine clinic. a. A clinic staff member will ask you to verify who you are and make sure your registration is complete. This includes checking documentation that shows your age or employment as proof that you are eligible to receive the vaccine. b. You will be guided to the actual vaccination area. • Y ou will be asked to answer a few questions, such as: how you are feeling today, have you had any other vaccination recently, and do you have your vaccination card from your first COVID dose (if this is your 2nd shot). If you don’t have a card from your first dose, they’ll just create another – it’s not a problem! • Th e vaccinator will ask you if you have any questions, and which arm you prefer the shot to be in. • The vaccinator cleans the area on your arm and gives you the shot. It’s very quick! • After you receive your vaccine, you will go to the waiting area. a. I f this is your first dose, you will go to a scheduler at a computer to make an appointment for your second dose. b. Th en you’ll wait 15 minutes with other people who have also just been vaccinated to make sure you don’t have a reaction to the shot. It’s not common to have a reaction, but you’ll be monitored for a few minutes just to be safe. c. I f this is your second dose, you will go straight to the waiting area for 15 minutes. • S ign up for V-safe. While you’re waiting, sign up for V-safe, a smart-phone based vaccination health checker. You can use your 15 minutes to easily sign up on your phone at vsafe.cdc.gov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends short text messages asking how you’re feeling for several days after your shot to make sure you’re doing well. • Ready to go! You are free to leave after 15 minutes. No need to check out with anyone. • Final reminder: Not everyone will get vaccinated right away, so it is important to continue to protect yourself and others by wearing masks.