COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Currently, Yolo County & CommuniCare Health Center locations are expected to get COVID-19 doses from Pzifer and Moderna.

PFIZER

Yolo County is expected to get the Pfizer vaccine first. The County is not expected to get many vaccines to start with but expects to receive 975 Pfizer doses as early as mid-December. This vaccine requires 2 doses and ultra cold storage (which Yolo County has). For information on who will get the vaccine first, open the tab ‘Vaccine Phase 1.’

The Pfizer vaccine is mRNA-based, which is a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, 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. That immune response, which involves antibodies and immune cells, is what protects us from getting sick if the real virus enters our bodies.

mRNA vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19. mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way.

mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.

For more information about mRNA vaccines, visit the CDC page at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html.

For more information about Pfizer’s vaccine, visit their page at: https://www.pfizer.com/health/coronavirus.

MODERNA

The County is also expected to get around 1500 Moderna vaccines in mid to late December, once it’s approved. This vaccine requires 2 doses.

The Modern vaccine is also mRNA-based (like Pfizer’s vaccine). It is a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, 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. That immune response, which involves antibodies and immune cells, is what protects us from getting sick if the real virus enters our bodies.

mRNA vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19. mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way.

mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.

For more information about mRNA vaccines, visit the CDC page at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html.

For more information about Moderna’s vaccine, visit their page at: https://www.modernatx.com/modernas-work-potential-vaccine-against-covid-19.

Source: Yolo County Health and Human Services, 2020

MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine will give you COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccination can’t cause COVID-19. The goal of the vaccines is to teach our immune systems how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

MYTH: COVID-19 vaccines will cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests

Vaccines won’t 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, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility 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. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.

MYTH: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 will not benefit from getting vaccinated

People are advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. This is due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible.

At this time, we do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. We won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until we have a vaccine and more data on how well it works.

MYTH: The vaccination will not prevent you from getting sick with COVID-19.

While many people with COVID-19 have only a mild illness, others may get a severe illness or even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not at increased risk of severe complications. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you without having to get the disease. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

Source: Yolo County Health and Human Services, 2020

COVID Vaccine Fact Sheet (CDC)