Next in Line

by Maria Greene, APS TARC Team Member

I never thought I would be so happy to hear, “Next in line” for all things…. a vaccination. I had flashbacks to my mom explaining why getting a shot was a “good thing.” The shot would protect me from getting sick and my friends from getting sick. The only good I could see back then was the promised treat after our visit to the local public health department for early childhood vaccinations.

My mom’s advice remains true. It is good to get the COVID-19 vaccine for you and your friends. By the time you read this blog, every state should have vaccination registration open for all adults 16 years of age and older.

There are currently three manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccination shots – Pfizer and Moderna (series of two shots) and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) (1 shot). I encourage you to receive whichever vaccination is available to you first. There is no charge for the vaccination and health departments, community health centers, and many pharmacies and physicians’ offices have supplies.

You will be fully vaccinated two weeks after the second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or first J&J shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), after we are fully vaccinated, we should continue to:

• wear our masks,
• wash hands frequently, and
• practice physical distancing of 6 feet.

The CDC offers guidance about socializing with others who have been vaccinated. A good practice is to, unless you know, assume others have not been vaccinated and follow the CDC protocols. Scientists are learning so much in a very short time about COVID-19 and its variants. What is not known yet is whether people who are vaccinated are still “carriers” of the virus. That is why it is so important for us to Mask Up, Wash Up, Back Up!

CDC has excellent information about masks and specifically how to appropriately double mask. Please read their tips for best fit, proper wearing of masks(s), washing or disposing of masks, and appropriate ways to double a mask. Hint – wearing two disposable masks is not effective but wearing a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask is good.

If your work involves going to see people living in long-term care facilities, your best source of information and guidance may be found in this updated and revised CMS.gov letter to state survey agency directors regarding visitation in nursing homes. Most states are using similar CMS guidance for other types of residential care communities.

We care about you and the people you serve. Please protect yourself and others by receiving a COVID-19 vaccination(s) as soon as you are "next in line".

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