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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable communities from illnesses. If you provide senior care to an older loved one, you might be wondering how they can get vaccinated. Review the following questions to ensure you're completely informed about the process so that you can keep your loved one safe. 

What to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines

How many are there?

Right now, there are three main vaccines for COVID-19: Moderna®, Pfizer®, and Johnson & Johnson®. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use mRNA to stimulate antibody production, and they require two shots, spaced a few weeks apart, for full protection.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses the adenovirus method, where a harmless virus prompts antibody production. All vaccines are approved for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it’s recommended to get whichever one is available to you as soon as you’re eligible for the shot.

How effective are they?

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Efficacy varies between the vaccines, but they all provide significant protection. Johnson & Johnson is 66.3% effective, Moderna is 94.1% effective, and Pfizer is 95% effective

They all proved to be 100% effective at preventing deaths, with Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson also preventing 100% of hospitalizations. In short, any vaccine will greatly reduce or eliminate the risk of serious illness and death from the coronavirus.

How safe are they?

All the approved vaccines are deemed to be safe, but short-term side effects like headaches, fatigue, and soreness are somewhat common.  Over 439 million people around the world have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with no findings of negative long-term side effects, which generally appear within six weeks of vaccination.

Who is eligible to take it?

The Pfizer vaccine is available to anyone over the age of 16, while the other two are for anyone ages 18 and up. All three are available for free, but priority is given to people at the highest risk for COVID-19, such as those receiving senior care and people with underlying conditions like obesity. While eligibility groups vary by state, Missouri allows any resident who wants a vaccine to get one

 

Are you ready to include the vaccine as part of your senior care? Family United Home Health Care in St. Louis, MO, will help. They administer vaccines at their sites and offer free transportation to get them. Their staff includes licensed and registered medical professionals with a mission to provide individualized, compassionate care. Explore their COVID-19 resources online, or call (314) 716-3100 to learn more about the vaccine.

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