How to Get Vaccinated in Los Angeles County
14 January 2021
Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is here, you may have lots of questions about it. For example, you may be wondering whether the vaccine is safe or effective. Or maybe you want to know when you can sign up to get vaccinated yourself. If a caregiver comes to your home, you may want to know if or when they will receive the vaccine.
We wanted to help answer some of your questions and provide resources that are available here in Los Angeles county.
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Why Should I Get Vaccinated?
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Which Vaccines Are Safe & Available?
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Are the Vaccines Free for Everyone?
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How Does the Vaccine Work?
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When and Where Can I Get Vaccinated?
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How Can My Caregiver Get Vaccinated?
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What Should I Do While Waiting to Be Vaccinated?
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Where Can I Find More Information About COVID-19?
Why should I get vaccinated?
As we all know, COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly throughout our communities. It has had a serious impact on all our lives and has forced us to change the way we live in order to stay safe.
Thankfully, we now have safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to us. They are a vital tool for our communities in preventing disease and saving lives every year. Getting vaccinated protects both the person with the vaccine and the people around them.
After vaccination, people are less likely to get COVID-19 or pass the germs to other people. When lots of people get vaccinated, it is harder for the virus to spread quickly and infect others. This effect is known as “herd immunity” and is vital for protecting people who may not be able to get the vaccine.
Which Vaccines Are Safe & Available?
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved and shown to be safe and effective in preventing COVID-19. These vaccines have been shown to prevent 95% of cases of COVID-19 disease in large studies that involved a diverse mix of people. They will most likely be available to the general public by the Spring or Summer of 2021. Talk to your doctor and sign up for updates to find out when the vaccine will be available for you.
Are the Vaccines Free for Everyone?
COVID-19 vaccines are free for all people including those without health insurance. Doctors or pharmacies may charge a fee for giving the vaccine, but this fee should be covered by public and private insurance companies. There are no out-of-pocket payments involved with the COVID-19 vaccine.
How Does the Vaccine Work?
The COVID-19 vaccines help your body recognize and fight off germs from the virus. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds by:
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Detecting the invading germ, such as a virus or bacteria.
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Making antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced naturally by the immune system to fight disease.
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Remembering the disease and how to fight it. If you are exposed to the germ after getting the vaccine, your immune system can quickly destroy it before you become sick.
Thankfully, our immune systems are great at remembering. After we get one or more doses of a vaccine, we are protected against the disease for a period of time. This is what makes vaccines so effective. Instead of treating a disease after it happens, vaccines can prevent us from getting sick in the first place.
When and Where Can I Get Vaccinated?
The supply of COVID-19 vaccines is limited for now but will be available to everyone eventually. Right now, certain groups of people are eligible to receive the vaccine in Los Angeles County. To find out when you are eligible to receive a vaccine, please click here for more information.
How Can My Caregiver Get Vaccinated?
Healthcare workers that work for home healthcare organizations and home health agencies are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine right now. These individuals can make an appointment to be vaccinated at a vaccination location convenient for them. To make an appointment for a healthcare worker looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, please click here for more information.
What Should I Do While Waiting to be Vaccinated?
If you’re waiting to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, it’s important to continue following prevention guidelines. For example, cover your mouth and nose with a mask whenever you are around people outside of your household. Practice social distancing, wash your hands often and stay home whenever possible to lower your risk of contracting COVID-19. It’s also important to note that these prevention guidelines are still necessary to follow even after receiving your vaccination.
Where can I Find More Information About COVID-19?
To learn more about COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination information in California and Los Angeles County, please visit the following websites:
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Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) Vaccine website for the general public
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Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Phase 1a Recommendations and Phase 1b and c Interim Recommendations
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California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Recommendations
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): When Vaccine is Limited, Who Gets Vaccinated First?
California COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
To learn how Rose’s Agency Home Care can help improve your quality of life, please contact us by clicking here.