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Health care personnel, long term care staff and residents, EMS and frontline public health workers. The vaccine is not yet available for public distribution, check back for updates.
The Reno County Health Department will be giving weekly video updates on the vaccine distribution.
Week of January 4, 2021
Archived Updates
- December 28, 2020 Update- https://youtu.be/OwVEBlOrXP0
Pfizer-BioNTech | Moderna | |
---|---|---|
Ages eligible for vaccine | 16 and older | 18 and older |
Length of time between doses | 21 days | 28 days |
Storage requirements | -94 F; stable at 36 F for 5 days | -4 F; stable at 36 F for 30 days |
Preparation of vaccine | Reconstitution of lyophilized powder- 5 doses per vial | No dilution needed- 10 doses per vial |
The Reno County Health Department is following KDHE’s recommendations on vaccine distribution. We are also working with our community health partners to ensure front line health care workers and those at highest risk are vaccinated first. Once the vaccine is readily available to the public, we will use multiple media outlets and mediums to inform on vaccination process and locations. Check back for updates.
An mRNA vaccine uses a piece of messenger RNA — a set of instructions that tells a cell to make a specific protein. For SARS-CoV-2, this is the spike protein that is found on the surface of the viral envelope. The mRNA used in the vaccine does not enter the cell’s nucleus and consequently has no interaction with a cell’s DNA. It is also not a full virus and cannot replicate itself. Once the spike protein is made, it is put on the surface of the cell, where it is seen by the immune cells and causes them to become activated and respond. The result is the production of neutralizing antibodies. If a person who is immunized becomes infected with the virus, the neutralizing antibodies will bind to the virus and prevent it from entering cells and causing disease.
No. An mRNA vaccine is not a virus and can’t cause disease. Because it activates the immune system, it can cause mild symptoms in some people (e.g., fatigue, achiness, fever). Based on data from the clinical trials, the most common reactions to the vaccine are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. These symptoms are very common with other vaccines, including the flu shot, and are a sign that the body is responding to the vaccine.
Two doses are required. The time between doses depends on which vaccine was administered. The Pfizer vaccine requires 21 days between doses, while the Moderna is 28 days.
Based on data from the clinical trials, the most common reactions to the vaccine are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. These symptoms are very common with other vaccines, including the flu shot, and are a sign that the body is responding to the vaccine. In rare cases, a more significant allergic reaction could occur, thus individuals will be monitored for approximately minutes after receiving the vaccine.
Yes. Protection from the vaccine is not immediate and it will take 1 to 2 weeks following the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. It is important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, like covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and social distancing.
Yes. People who have already had COVID-19 or tested positive may still benefit from getting the COVID-19 vaccination. There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long people are protected from getting COVID-19 after they have had it (natural immunity). Anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved.
Yes. Seasonal allergies and even food allergies, including allergies to shellfish and peanuts, do not exclude you from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who had severe reactions, like anaphylaxis, to injectable medication or vaccines in the past should not get the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.
There has been no data on the use of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, these individuals are not excluded from getting the vaccine and they should talk with their physician about the risks and benefits of being vaccinated.