COVID-19 Resources

Familias en Acción & COVID-19

Recursos y Acceso a Alimentos Durante Esta Pandemia

HIV & COVID-19

---

Wearing Masks

Guidelines & Recommendations

---

---

Vaccines

Currently, there are three main types of COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized and recommended, or undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States. Below is a description of how each type of vaccine prompts our bodies to recognize and protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19. None of these vaccines can give you COVID-19.

• mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes COVID-19 that gives our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if we are infected in the future.
• Protein subunit vaccines include harmless pieces (proteins) of the virus that causes COVID-19 instead of the entire germ. Once vaccinated, our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build T-lymphocytes and antibodies that will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if we are infected in the future.
• Vector vaccines contain a modified version of a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19. Inside the shell of the modified virus, there is material from the virus that causes COVID-19. This is called a “viral vector.” Once the viral vector is inside our cells, the genetic material gives cells instructions to make a protein that is unique to the virus that causes COVID-19. Using these instructions, our cells make copies of the protein. This prompts our bodies to build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus if we are infected in the future.

Learn more about the different COVID-19 vaccines.

For COVID-19 Vaccine information by specific county click here.

Register here to get your COVID-19 vaccine!

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal. Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated.

How the COVID-19 vaccines work

To be fully vaccinated, you will need two shots of some COVID-19 vaccines.

• If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that requires two shots, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots.
• If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that requires one shot, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your shot. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine only requires one shot.

Each of these vaccines has been proven to be safe and effective. Medical experts are still learning how long the vaccines protect you and if they stop you from spreading COVID-19. It will take some time before everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get it. Continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, watch your distance, and keep gatherings small and brief, even if you receive a vaccine.

What the vaccine does

They teach your body how to recognize and fight the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
• They contain messenger RNA (mRNA).
• mRNA is like an instruction manual. It teaches your body how to make a harmless protein that looks like a protein on this coronavirus. Your body responds to the protein and creates disease-fighting cells and antibodies that can recognize and fight this coronavirus.
• If your body sees this coronavirus in the future, it is ready to protect you.

What they don’t do

They do not contain coronavirus and can’t give you COVID-19.

• They do not change your DNA or genetic material.
• They do not go into the nucleus of your cells — the place where DNA lives.

What’s in the COVID-19 Vaccines

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have mRNA and ingredients to help mRNA work in your body: fats, potassium, organic compounds to protect mRNA from too much acid, salt, and sugar. The vaccines do not contain pork products, eggs, latex, or chemicals to preserve the vaccine.

Who can get the vaccine?

• Adults 12 years and older (Pfizer)
• Adults 18 years and older (Moderna) (Johnson & Johnson)
• Talk with your doctor or clinic if you:
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have any serious allergies

Scientists are working on a vaccine for kids and teens under 12.

Side effects

Many people experience mild side effects after getting the vaccine. This is a sign that your body is doing what it is supposed to do: building protection against the disease.

• Common side effects include soreness or redness where you got
the vaccine, a headache, tiredness, and/or low fever (less than 100.4).
These symptoms are more common after the second dose.
• These symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days. If they don’t, call your doctor or clinic. It is rare, but some people have had a severe allergic reaction. All of these people received medical help right away.
• Everyone who gets these vaccines must wait for at least 15 minutes afterwards, so medical staff can help them if they have a reaction.
• If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction in the past, talk with your doctor or clini

Support is available if you have questions or mixed feelings

You may feel hopeful that vaccines will make it possible for us to be around those we care about again. You may feel nervous. If you are a person of color, you may be wondering if you can trust vaccines from
a medical system that has broken trust with your community before. Medical racism in the past and present is real. It’s understandable to have concerns. Learn more and get support:

• Talk with your doctor or clinic. If you don’t have a doctor, call 2-1-1 or Multnomah County Primary Care Clinics: 503-988-5558 | http://www.multco.us/health/primary-care-clinics

• Call the Oregon Statewide Racial Equity Support Line if you’ve been mentally and emotionally impacted by racism: 503-575-3764 | http://www.linesforlife.org/racial-equity-support-line

• Call the Oregon Statewide Safe + Strong Helpline for emotional support and resource referral. You don’t need to be in crisis. 1-800-923-HELP (4357) | http://www.linesforlife.org/obhsl

• Visit www.multco.us/covid-vaccine for more information

source: Multnomah County Health Department

Click here to learn how the vaccines were developed in English.

Click here to learn how the vaccines were developed in Spanish.

---

About COVID-19

What you need to know:

• Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
• Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

When to seek emergency medical attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

---

Daily life & COVID-19

Going out? Keep these items on hand when in public spaces: a mask, disinfecting wipes, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible.

Wondering how you can do your daily activities safely while protecting yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19?

The more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.

So, think about

• How many people will be there?
• Will the space be indoors or outdoors?
• Will you spend a lot of time with others?

source: CDC