Delta Variant, Vaccine Boosters & Third Doses
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on all of our lives and those of our loved ones. And now, the highly contagious Delta variant has quickly become the predominant cause of COVID-19 and is responsible for the overwhelming majority of current cases.
We all want to get back to a time when we can feel safe and protected so that we can return to doing the things we enjoy. The only way for that to happen is for the spread of this virus to be stopped. That point will occur when we achieve something called “herd immunity” meaning enough people are immune that the virus is unlikely to be spread from one person to another because those people have immunity already. This typically occurs when 60-70% of the population has been vaccinated, but because of the increased infectivity of the COVID-19 Delta variant, this number is estimated to be 80%. This is why as a health system, we are doing everything we can to protect our patients, staff and community.
We know that some of you still have questions about COVID-19, the Delta variant and the vaccine, so we’ve put together the answers to frequently asked questions. We want you to feel informed and make the right choice for you, your family and our community.
Please see the most common questions and answers related to COVID-19 vaccines.
Currently, there are three vaccines approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Each is administered similar to a flu shot and given in the muscle of the upper arm:
The Pfizer and German partner BioNTech Vaccine was the first to receive EUA from the FDA on December 11, 2020.
The Moderna (in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) Vaccine received EUA from the FDA on December 18, 2020.
The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine (developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson) received EUA from the FDA on February 27, 2021.
* There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine and its efficacy as compared to Pfizer's and Moderna's. Our clinical experts have studied this issue and advise that it’s not possible to accurately compare the effectiveness of the J&J vaccine against these other two vaccines. The vaccine developers of each designed their clinical trials to test for different outcomes. J&J’s trials tested whether one of its doses protected against moderate to severe COVID illness and the Pfizer and Moderna trials tested for symptomatic COVID infection. In addition, the J&J vaccine was tested in different geographic locations around the world and against the variants that have emerged since the beginning of the pandemic. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were tested earlier in the pandemic, prior to the emergence of the new variants. In the end, all three vaccines do what they are designed to do—prevent severe complications, hospitalization and death due to the coronavirus.
IMPORTANT UPDATES ON THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE:April 2021 On April 13, 2021, the CDC and FDA temporarily put a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Concerned about reports of rare blood clots that developed in six individuals—out of the almost seven million people who had already received this vaccine—these agencies paused its use to conduct a thorough safety review. After ten days, they concluded that while the J&J vaccine caused the blood clots, it was an extremely rare occurrence and therefore, the benefits of receiving this vaccine far outweigh the risks. On April 23rd, they lifted the pause and recommended resuming the use of this vaccine. See their report.July 2021 FDA Announcement: The FDA announced revisions to the vaccine recipient and vaccination provider fact sheets for the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine to include information pertaining to an observed increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following vaccination. GBS is a neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, or in the most severe cases, paralysis. Based on an analysis of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS) data, there have been 100 preliminary reports of GBS following vaccination with the Janssen vaccine after approximately 12.5 million doses administered. Of these reports, 95 of them were serious and required hospitalization. There was one reported death. Each year in the United States, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS. Most people fully recover from the disorder. GBS has also been observed at an increased rate associated with certain vaccines, including certain seasonal influenza vaccines and a vaccine to prevent shingles. Although the available evidence suggests an association between the Janssen vaccine and increased risk of GBS, it is insufficient to establish a causal relationship. No similar signal has been identified with the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.
For Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines—Maximum immunity reached 5-6 weeks after both doses. In general, after a person receives the first dose of a vaccine, they will start to develop some immunity within 2-4 weeks, but this is not full or sufficient immunity to protect against disease. The vaccines require the second ‘booster’ dose to reach full 94.5% or 95% immunity which can take an additional one-two weeks after receiving the second dose. For the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine—Maximum immunity reached within four weeks (28 days). This vaccine's protection against moderate to severe disease starts about two weeks after a person gets vaccinated. By four weeks after the shot, data from the clinical trials showed there were no hospitalizations or deaths.
As for how long the immunity lasts for any of these three vaccines, this is still not fully known. At this point, we cannot say whether repeat vaccination, for instance on an annual basis, will be necessary.
More than 165 million Americans have been fully vaccinated with one of the available vaccines and are now protected against COVID-19. Additionally, more than 4.58 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. The CDC has carefully monitored and kept track of any and all potential side effects or complications from the vaccines provided in the US. That data clearly shows that these vaccines are both safe and highly effective. The vaccines were developed to do exactly what they do – help prevent you from developing severe illness or dying from COVID. How effective? According to the latest data from the CDC (August 2021), less than 0.004% of people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization, and less than 0.001% have died from the disease. That’s about 6,600 severe breakthrough cases out of the millions of fully vaccinated people in the U.S. That degree of protection is a remarkable achievement for any vaccine.
Although it’s hard to believe that these vaccines were able to be developed, tested and produced without cutting corners, it’s true. These vaccines went through the standard 3 phases of clinical trials to assess their safety, appropriate dosing levels and ability to prevent disease. Health experts took all the usual and necessary steps to produce safe vaccines. They weren’t authorized for emergency use until after tens of thousands of people had received them and were monitored closely for months to ensure the vaccines were safe and effective. In fact, vaccinated participants in those trials continue to be followed to watch for the development of any late complications; none have been reported with the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).
Related to the specific live virus vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, monitoring of those receiving the vaccines after the trials picked up the rare occurrence of a specific kind of blood clot occurring in women from 18 to 50 years of age. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has a special system for monitoring any post-vaccination side effects, and they are continuing to watch for any additional cases of these blood clots.
Yes. The vaccines have proven to be very effective in reducing the risk of symptomatic infection with the Delta variant. While there is some “breakthrough” in vaccinated people, the majority of those individuals are either asymptomatic, though could be shedding the infection, or have mild-moderate symptoms that feel like a cold or flu.
It is possible you may experience side effects after vaccination. This can be normal and is often a sign that your body is activating to protect you. For most people, the symptoms are typically mild and last only a day or two. For others, the after-effects of vaccination can be more serious. Below provides information on both the common side effects as well as rare but more serious ones.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
Most people who get vaccinated will have mild side effects that may last at most a couple of days. Some may feel one or more of the following common side effects after vaccination, while many don’t notice anything at all beyond a sore arm near the site of the shot.
On the arm where you got the shot--
And throughout the rest of your body--
Please note: If you receive a 2-dose vaccine such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.
If, on the other hand, you had a severe or immediate allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get a second dose of either of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Talk with your doctor about getting a vaccine that is not mRNA-based, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose. For this reason, the FDA required each of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to be studied for at least two months (eight weeks) after the final dose. Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected.How to treat common side effects:
If you do experience any of the common side effects after vaccination, the best course of action is to talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for any pain or discomfort you may be feeling. You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally.
It is not recommended you take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.
If you received a two-dose vaccine such as the Pfizer or Moderna, the side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.
RARE SIDE EFFECTS:
While most people will only experience the common side effects, there are some side effects that are rare but more serious that one should be aware of.
Age Restrictions: Currently, the vaccines are not recommended for all ages. While the Pfizer vaccine is not recommended for those below the age of 12, both the Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not recommended for those below age 18.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: The CDC issued this statement on August 11, 2021: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for more information.
Fetal cells and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: The Catholic Church has issued an ethics statement regarding the involvement of a cell line derived from a 1985 aborted fetus in the original development of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (noting that there is no fetal tissue or product in the vaccine itself). While some U.S. Catholic leaders have issued opinions opposed to use of the vaccine, a statement from the Vatican recognizes the greater good for use of the J&J vaccine to prevent disease and death and considers it morally acceptable. Additionally, the local Diocese of Orange has addressed the issue of the vaccines in the following video:Click here for EnglishClick here for Spanish subtitlesThose with allergies to any of the vaccine ingredients: The following three vaccines do not contain eggs, preservatives or latex. The ingredients for each vaccine are listed below, but for more information on each vaccine along with individual vaccine fact sheets, please visit the CDC's vaccine webpage.
Following the CDC and FDA’s recent recommendation that the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine resume after what had been a 10-day pause for investigation, the CDC’s website concluded the following:
New July 2021 FDA Announcement - Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: The FDA announced revisions to the vaccine recipient and vaccination provider fact sheets for the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine to include information pertaining to an observed increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following vaccination. GBS is a neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, or in the most severe cases, paralysis. Based on an analysis of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS) data, there have been 100 preliminary reports of GBS following vaccination with the Janssen vaccine after approximately 12.5 million doses administered. Of these reports, 95 of them were serious and required hospitalization. There was one reported death. Each year in the United States, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS. Most people fully recover from the disorder. GBS has also been observed at an increased rate associated with certain vaccines, including certain seasonal influenza vaccines and a vaccine to prevent shingles. Although the available evidence suggests an association between the Janssen vaccine and increased risk of GBS, it is insufficient to establish a causal relationship. No similar signal has been identified with the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.
Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome may include:
If you have any concerns about your health, whether related to vaccination or otherwise, please contact your primary care physician immediately. Of course, if you feel you are having a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
For more information on this vaccine, visit the CDC’s J&J vaccine update webpage
No. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a completely different method of causing immunity to the COVID-19 virus than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Neither the blood clotting problem nor the Guillain-Barré Syndrome side effects have been reported in the tens of millions of people receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
On July 28, 2021, the state of California's Department of Public Health updated their masking guidelines, superseding all prior covering guidance. The updated mask guidelines reflect the recent significant rise in COVID-19 cases as a result of the prevalence of the highly transmissable Delta variant. Masking Requirements: Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:
Masks are required for all individuals, in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status (and surgical masks are recommended):
Additionally, masks are required* for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).
Exemptions to masks requirements: The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times:
For more information, see this CDPH's webpage.
The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccinations, stimulates your immune system. This can cause a temporary enlargement of lymph nodes near where the person was vaccinated. Those lymph nodes can sometimes be seen by the radiologist reading your mammogram and make it appear to be abnormal even when you are OK and there is no indication of cancer. Since enlarged lymph nodes can result in a “false positive” on your mammogram, you could get a request to return for further testing — a call-back — which can be unsettling.
Therefore, mammograms should be scheduled before your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or four to six weeks after the last dose. That way, there is time for your lymph nodes to return to their normal size. As with any testing recommended by your healthcare provider, women age 40 and above should not delay recommended mammographic screening.
No, for multiple reasons. The first is that these vaccines stay locally in the muscle in which they are injected. They do not enter the bloodstream and circulate so they cannot cause you to shed anything. In addition, none of the vaccines contain any of the actual components of the virus, let alone a whole virus itself. The spike protein your body makes in response to the vaccine is primarily made locally in the muscle where the vaccine is administered and may possibly be seen in low levels in the blood, but it should not be shed in significant quantity in respiratory or other secretions.
On the other hand, someone who has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 WILL shed virus and are contagious. People with COVID-19 shed large amounts of virus from respiratory secretions, which is how COVID-19 spreads.
Shedding can’t happen without a live-virus vaccine. The mRNA vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – are not live-virus vaccines and do not replicate. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is considered a live vaccine because it contains adenovirus (but NOT the coronavirus.) Still, the adenovirus in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can’t replicate (multiply or reproduce), so there’s no way they can shed.
As of October 22, 2021, the FDA and CDC have authorized an additional booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 65 years and older, as well as for people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are either at the highest risk for severe illness if they were to get COVID-19, or who are at increased risk due to frequent potential exposures from where they work or live (for example, healthcare workers, teachers or residents of care facilities). This mRNA booster can be given 6 months or more after the second shot of the original series.
The FDA and CDC also recommend booster shots for those who are 18 years and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination two or more months ago.
MemorialCare offers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will be making clinic spots for booster doses available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are happy to help recipients of any of the three vaccines who are eligible for booster vaccination get scheduled with us for either Pfizer or Moderna boosters, or you can find available slots on https://myturn.ca.gov/ in many locations across the area for any of the three vaccines.
You can refer to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html for more information on who should or may receive a booster dose of the vaccines.
The short answer is that currently available studies suggest that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work longer than 6 months. The most recent studies show that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine maintains similar levels of neutralizing antibodies, and therefore is effective in preventing severe illness from COVID-19, for at least 6 to 8 months. Another study looked at immune memory cells in the bone marrow after vaccination with the mRNA vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer). These are cells that remember the virus and lie in wait for another, future exposure. This study, which went out to 8 months, showed that these protective cells are ready to jump into action with a rapid immune response if a vaccinated person were exposed to the virus in the future.
It is important to note that the 6 to 8-month timeframes in these studies reflect the limited amount of time that has passed since large numbers of people were first vaccinated. We’ll continue to see data on longer time frames as more time passes, so we expect to learn more on how long the vaccine effect actually lasts. Based on these and other studies, though, immunology experts believe the vaccine coverage will last much longer, perhaps even up to years. Studies are ongoing, and we will be tracking those closely.
Yes. According to the current guidance from the CDC on administration of COVID-19 vaccines, you may be administered the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines, including flu vaccines. If given at the same time, COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines should be administered in different arms if possible, to minimize a local reaction.
The vaccines have proven to be very effective in reducing the risk of symptomatic infection with the Delta variant. And in those who do develop illness despite vaccination, these vaccines markedly reduce the development of severe illness, hospitalization and death.
According to the most recent data available on the CDC’s website, people who were unvaccinated this past August had a 6.1X (6-fold higher) greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and an 11.3X (11-fold higher) greater risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated persons. The full dataset can be found here.
In addition, hospitalizations are 12x (12-fold higher) in unvaccinated individuals which, when segmented to certain age groups, rises to 14X for those 18-49 years old and 15X for those 50-64 years old, with 9X for those 65 years or older.
Based on the CDC recommendations from August 13, 2021, MemorialCare is still offering the 3rd dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. The CDC and California Department of Public Health advise patients who received either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and have moderately to severely compromised immune systems to receive an additional vaccine dose. As of October 22, 2021, the FDA and CDC recommend booster shots for those vaccinated with the J&J COVID-19 vaccination two or more months ago.
The FDA has authorized the use of a third dose of either mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for at-risk immunocompromised individuals who fall into one of the categories listed below.
Individuals considered immunocompromised are:
This third dose may be administered at least 28 days following the two-dose regimen of the same vaccine the individual has already received.
Eligible MemorialCare Medical Group patients may schedule an appointment for a third dose at any of our vaccine clinics by calling the MemorialCare Navigation Center at 877-MYMEMCARE (696-3622) or through the MyTurn platform. Immunocompromised individuals will not need to provide written proof of their medical conditions, but they will be required to complete a self-attestation form before receiving the third dose.
As of October 22, 2021, the FDA and CDC recommend booster shots for those who were vaccinated with the J&J COVID-19 vaccination two or more months ago. In addition, the FDA recently approved the option of receiving a different vaccine type than what a person originally received. This approval means that people who received the J&J vaccine can receive a Moderna or Pfizer booster.
Those interested in receiving a booster dose of J&J vaccine 2 months or more after having received an initial dose should schedule their appointment at a site where it is available through the https://MyTurn.ca.gov/ website. MemorialCare has chosen not to offer the J&J vaccine because of the rare but potentially dangerous occurrence of blood clots after J&J vaccination, especially in women of childbearing age.
There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Individuals can stay with the vaccine they originally received, or if they prefer to get a different booster, the CDC recommendations allow for a mix and match dosing of booster shots. Data from a recent small study sponsored by the NIH indicates that, for patients who received the J&J vaccine for their primary vaccination, significantly higher levels of protective antibody were produced in people who received a subsequent Moderna or Pfizer vaccination compared to a second J&J vaccination.
No. Your completed original series meets the specifications of the current Public Health Orders (PHO) in California. We will continue to monitor the PHO status and advise if any requirements change.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on all of our lives and those of our loved ones. And now, the highly contagious Delta variant has quickly become the predominant cause of COVID-19. We all want to get back to a time when we can feel safe and protected so that we can return to doing the things we enjoy. The only way for that to happen is for the spread of this virus to be stopped. That point will occur when we achieve something called “herd immunity,” meaning enough people are immune that the virus is unlikely to be spread from one person to another because those people have immunity already. This typically occurs when 60-70% of the population has been vaccinated, but because of the increased infectivity of the COVID-19 Delta variant most common in the U.S., this number is estimated to be 80%. This is why as a health system, we are doing everything we can to protect our patients, staff and community.
We understand if you have concerns about getting vaccinated, especially since there is a lot of misinformation circulating about these new vaccines. To help answer some of those questions and address vaccine hesitancy concerns, you may want to visit our “Get the Shot” webpage. We encourage you to learn for yourself what medical experts have told us about these vaccines and, ultimately, make the right choice for you, your family and our community.
Trypanophobia or fear of needles is fairly common. The needles used for these vaccines are typically some of the thinnest that are used so many people have commented that they didn’t even feel the injection. If you’re worried, please let the person administering the vaccine at the clinic know so that they can help you through this.
One helpful tip is to practice slow, deep breathing and focus your attention there. Breathing exercises have been used in eastern medicine for thousands of years. Slow, deep breaths can decrease the release of stress hormones and slow heart rate. When you are stressed, your body revs up, but when you take slow, deep breaths, it is like you are engaging the brake.
Medical experts recommend that people who have had COVID-19 still get vaccinated. It isn’t clear yet how long immunity lasts after an actual infection and some people that are infected with COVID-19 don’t make a lot of something called neutralizing antibodies. These are antibodies that directly block the ability of the virus to enter your cells. The vaccines help you to develop a high level of those neutralizing antibodies and stimulate your body to remember this for later so that you should have immunity for even longer. There are cases where a person has had COVID-19 and recovered and later gets re-infected. Getting vaccinated will help prevent that.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, when should you get the vaccine? The risk of re-infection after having had COVID-19 is very low in the first 90 days, so you may choose to wait that long, although waiting is not necessary. Of course, people with current COVID-19 symptoms should wait until their acute illness has resolved before being vaccinated, which is about 10 days after the start of symptoms or a positive test.
Being young and healthy does not guarantee that you will be asymptomatic or experience a very minor case of the virus. COVID-19 has proven to be unpredictable, and although the majority of those who get it do recover within a few weeks, and those that have more severe cases do tend to be older or already have compromised immune systems, there are also cases where someone young and healthy has become very ill or even died. Younger people are one of the most commonly infected age groups and, on top of the risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19, they can also be a source of spread to others.
In addition, some people who have had COVID-19, even if their case was mild, have developed a syndrome known as “long COVID-19.” These people recover from their initial infection, but then continue to experience symptoms long after their initial recovery. In some of these individuals we have also seen long-term damage done to organs such as the heart, lungs and brain.
Time is of the essence. Waiting too long to be vaccinated allows the coronavirus to continue spreading throughout the community, and new variants are emerging. Getting COVID-19 can be very dangerous to you and can spread the disease to others. The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you are protected from the virus and can safely resume activities you love. Vaccines can only save lives if people are getting vaccinated.
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) does NOT mean experimental. In order to achieve EUA, the medication needs to pass the same data for safety and efficacy that it would for full approval. The Director of the F.D.A.’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Dr. Peter Marks, said “...all three Covid-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use in the United States have been thoroughly evaluated and have met, and continue to meet, the F.D.A.’s rigorous standards. If we truly want our lives to return to normal, the fastest way to do so is simple —get vaccinated right now.”
Full FDA approval for the vaccines may still be months away. To begin, full approval for the vaccines cannot be submitted until at least 6 months of follow-up on all participants in the study, even those that crossed over from placebo to vaccine. Currently, both Pfizer and Moderna have applied for full FDA approval and Johnson & Johnson is expected to soon, but the process is a lengthy one and requires the FDA to review much more data that has been compiled over a longer time period. Full approval also requires months of data on the different vaccine manufacturing facilities all over the world.
No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.
No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.
No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.
No. It’s actually the opposite. When a person is infected with the actual virus, the virus makes lots of copies of itself, including the recipe to make more viruses. The more copies it makes, the greater the chance that it makes an error. Most of the time, those errors either don’t change how the virus works or make it weaker, but sometimes, by our bad luck, that change can make the new copies of the virus more infectious or stronger. We call those variants. People that are vaccinated can block and clear the virus faster so it doesn’t have as much time to make copies and errors, reducing the chance of variants. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, like other RNA viruses, is more likely to mutate. The concerning variants out there now (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) all came about in countries where the people weren’t vaccinated yet. The Delta variant, for example, was first identified in India in October 2020 –2 months before the first vaccines became available.
The “99.98%” survival figure is not correct. To date, with all the widespread testing that has been done in the U.S., out of 35,762,495 cases, there have been 616,828 deaths –meaning 98.28% survive, with a 1.72% case-fatality rate. That may not sound like much, but it means nearly 1 in 50 people who get COVID-19 die from it. It also doesn’t consider the 6.9% of people hospitalized or those that survive with long-lasting effects. Yes, the chances of dying are much higher in older people. But even for younger people in whom the risk of death is much lower, it’s not zero. Many of those being hospitalized with the Delta variant are in the younger age group – and the overwhelming majority are unvaccinated. We’re also finding that at least 10% of people with COVID-19 – even mild forms – have symptoms that last more than 3 months, including fatigue, poor concentration, cough, headaches, muscle pain, and/or persistent loss of taste and smell. Lastly, getting vaccinated is not only about protecting you; it’s about protecting the vulnerable and higher risk people with whom you come in contact.
No. This false claim was first promoted by NaturalNews.com, a network of health misinformation sites that repeatedly published false content. The March 2021 NaturalNews.com article was based on a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) study published in August 2018 in the journal Nature. Although that study did find that changes in mRNA can inactivate tumor-suppressing proteins, the research was not connected to mRNA vaccines like those used against COVID-19.
Right now, there’s no scientific evidence that suggests COVID-19 vaccines are making periods irregular nor was this identified in any of the clinical trials of the vaccines. There’s also no biological mechanism, based on how the vaccines work, that would explain these occurrences. While abnormal periods can happen after a person receives the COVID-19 vaccine, it is most likely due to chance and does not necessarily mean the vaccine caused the abnormal period.
There is also no evidence that the vaccines cause infertility. This rumor was based on the idea that the spike protein encoded by the mRNA vaccines overlaps with syncytin-1, a protein found in the human placenta
Through a contract with the state of California, Blue Shield of California oversees the vaccine allocation and distribution to the different health systems, pharmacies, supermarkets, and others who are administering the vaccine to individuals. MemorialCare remains in close communication with Blue Shield to ensure we receive a steady supply of vaccine. In general, we get a limited shipment of vaccine delivered to our hospitals and select vaccine MemorialCare Medical Group health centers clinics on a weekly basis, although it is not guaranteed that we will always get the vaccine supply or brand we request.
When you are scheduling your vaccine appointment, in most cases you will find that clinics provide information on which vaccine brand they are administering. Simply choose a clinic with your preferred vaccine brand.
Remember that depending on your age, you may not have a choice of vaccine. For example, if you are age 5-17, you may only receive the Pfizer vaccine. But if you are age 18 and above, you are eligible for all three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. When scheduling an appointment through the MemorialCare myChart open scheduling feature, you will be asked your age so that you can be directed to a clinic administering the correct vaccine.
Which vaccine should I get? The best vaccine is the one you have access to first. Each vaccine is virtually 100% effective in saving your life from COVID – and they will allow us to get back to the things we love and miss.
We have set up vaccine clinics in select MCMG health centers in Long Beach and Orange County.For our MemorialCare Medical Group patients: When a patient becomes eligible for the vaccine, we send them a notification on how to schedule their appointment. They can then choose a location, date and time to be vaccinated at one of our vaccine clinics.A MemorialCare Medical Group (MCMG) patient is defined as an individual who has been treated at one of our facilities within the last 24 months. We follow the California Department of Public Health's vaccine eligibility guidelines which currently state anyone 12 years of age and above are eligible for the vaccine. MCMG patients who fit the criteria should have already received a communication from us through myChart, text message, telephone call or email to let them know how to schedule a vaccine appointment at one of our vaccine clinics. For patients who have not received a communication from us but are still interested in receiving the vaccine, please call our MemorialCare Navigation Center at 877-MYMEMCARE (696-3622).For patients and for non-patients: Anyone can schedule an appointment at select MemorialCare vaccine clinic locations through the state's website - My Turn.
Vaccine clinics outside of MemorialCare: There are also a number of non-MemorialCare locations where one can get vaccinated. For more information, look for the question in this FAQ: "Are there additional sites outside of MemorialCare that are providing vaccinations?"
On November 3, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to include individuals 5 years of age and older. To learn more, see the FDA's Pfizer EUA Fact Sheet.
Will parents be required to bring proof of the minor's age (birth certificate, etc.)? No, we are not requiring parents to bring birth certificates. Does an individual under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult to get the COVID Vaccine? Individuals under the age of 18 need a parent, legal guardian, or agent to give consent for the COVID Vaccine.
Can a parent send an adult friend or family member (agent) to give consent for the Covid Vaccine?
Prior to the minor receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, what forms must be completed?
If a minor arrives for their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine without an adult, is it possible for the parent or legal guardian to provide verbal consent?
For those seeking vaccinations for children ages 5-11, MemorialCare is offering the vaccine at our clinics. We are contacting patients through MyChart to schedule vaccination appointments, or you can visit MyTurn.ca.gov and find a location nearest you.
The approved dose for children ages 5-11 is a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine. It’s a third of the dosage given to adults and is more than 90% effective in preventing symptomatic infection, with similar side effects with those seen in a study of people ages 16-25.
The recommended interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are:
If you receive either of these vaccines, you should get your second shot as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.
If you have lost your vaccination card and don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider site where you received your vaccine to access your vaccination record. If you received your vaccine through MemorialCare, you can find your vaccine record in your MyChart account. Anyone who is vaccinated can also get a digital copy of their card through the State portal at www.myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.
The Delta is a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is much more contagious than previous strains. Current data suggests it might cause more severe illness than prior strains in unvaccinated people. While unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern, fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can still spread the virus to others. However, fully vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period. Given what we know about the Delta variant, vaccine effectiveness, and current vaccine coverage, layered prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, are needed to reduce the transmission of this variant.
Yes. The vaccines have proven to be very effective in reducing the risk of symptomatic infection with the Delta variant. And in those who do develop illness despite vaccination, these vaccines markedly reduce the development of severe illness.
All hospitals and healthcare providers who administer the COVID-19 vaccination doses are required to report this information to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) within 24 hours. In order to be able to do this, they must be registered with CAIR and have an immunization information system ID number. Vaccine providers must also report to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) any moderate and/or severe adverse events following a vaccination.
For more information on COVID-19 and the vaccines, please visit the CDC website:COVID-19Vaccines
The vast majority of MemorialCare employees are fully vaccinated. MemorialCare complies with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Order, requiring all workers in hospitals and other health care settings either to show proof of having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or to apply for and receive an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Health care workers who receive an approved exemption are required to be tested frequently and take additional safety measures to protect the community we serve.
We’ve put together some important information for employers on what they need to know about COVID-19 and their workforce.
Cal/OSHA recently published approved emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 infection prevention that apply to the majority of workers (employees) within the state of CA who are not categorized under the Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standard.
For helpful information and resources for employers and workers please click here.
Yes, MemorialCare Occupational Medicine offers testing for your employees who are COVID-19 exposed, suspected, or have been tested and confirmed positive.
In consultation with a MemorialCare Occupational clinician, employers have the ability to add COVID-19 laboratory testing to an employee assessment. For more information about COVID-19 testing options, please call your local center.
On August 31, 2021 the CDC updated their special considerations for COVID-19 vaccination and announced that the COVID-19 vaccine and both the IGRA and TST tests for tuberculosis can be co-administered. There does not need to be a 4-week separation between them. This recommendation should streamline the health screening process and COVID-19 vaccinations for Healthcare workers and patients.
Studies to assess the safety and immunogenicity of coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines are underway or in development. As detailed in general best practices, extensive research on the simultaneous administration of the most widely used live and inactivated vaccines has demonstrated seroconversion rates and rates for adverse reactions similar to those observed when the vaccines are administered separately.
COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day. It is not known if the reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines is increased with coadministration, including with other vaccines known to be more reactogenic, such as adjuvanted vaccines. When deciding whether to administer an(other) vaccine(s) with a COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination providers should consider whether the patient is behind or at risk of becoming behind on recommended vaccines, their risk of vaccine-preventable disease (e.g., during an outbreak or occupational exposures), and the reactogenicity profile of the vaccines.
If multiple vaccines are administered at a single visit, administer each injection in a different injection site. For adolescents and adults, the deltoid muscle can be used for more than one intramuscular injection administered at different sites in the muscle.
Due to limited testing resources, MemorialCare is focusing our limited testing on those patients for whom the test result will alter treatment recommendations. Generally, this means patients currently experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. These symptoms can 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/or diarrhea. A positive test does not change the course of the illness, as there is no treatment for COVID-19 and it is not unusual for the test to return as negative before symptoms start despite an infection.
Both LA County and Orange County Public Health have expanding testing capacity, please see the links below for information about testing locations for patients without symptoms. If you elect to be tested without symptoms, please continue to take caution even if you receive a negative result.
During the early stages of the global pandemic, MemorialCare was among the first in our region to participate in COVID-19-related research studies. Our efforts around treatments such as Remdesivir, Regeneron and convalescent plasma showed positive results in patients and helped lead the way for widespread use of these methods.
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