Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact in Iowa.
COVID-19 has been hard on everyone, but especially for those who live and work in long-term care. The adoption of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a lifesaving turning point in the fight against this virus. It’s important that everyone get the facts about getting vaccinated, and make an informed decision, so we can protect Iowa’s seniors, our loved ones, our colleagues and ourselves.
Get The Facts About The Vax!
Getting vaccinated helps protect you, your family members, friends, coworkers and our most vulnerable—like long-term care residents—from COVID-19. The vaccines are highly effective in preventing individuals from getting sick or seriously ill from COVID-19, as well as slowing the spread of the virus. The vaccines are the best tool we have as new, more contagious and threatening variants of the virus, like delta or omicron, begin to emerge.
You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection with the help of the vaccine. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.
You may experience:
Pain, swelling or redness at the injection site.
General symptoms may occur up to two days after injection, such as fever, chills, fatigue, muscle or joint pain or headache.
Most symptoms can be managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Tylenol or Advil). If you experience more severe side effects, please contact your doctor. Learn more.
No. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
There is growing evidence about the safety of vaccinations during pregnancy; click here to view evidence resources.
Learn more about the CDC’s recommendations, and check out this handout for more information.
Extremely. All COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be highly effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Even in the face of new variants, public health experts agree that the vaccines continue to offer high protection.
Recent studies also show that the vaccines were 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 with symptoms among health care workers. Even in the face of an outbreak, long-term care residents and staff were 87% less likely to experience symptoms compared to those who are not vaccinated.
Yes. Having COVID-19 does not automatically mean that you are immune from the virus moving forward. Most adults who had COVID-19 and recovered have some immunity for at least 90 days after being infected. However, about one out of 10 people who recover from COVID-19 do not appear to develop adequate immunity.
The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Check out this handout for more information.
To view more facts about the COVID-19 vaccine, boosters and more, click here.
This veteran long-term care worker got the facts and decided that getting vaccinated was the best option for her. →
This mother and long-term care worker had questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the answers she found.
COVID-19 has been hard on everyone, but especially for those who live and work in long-term care. The adoption of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a lifesaving turning point in the fight against this virus. It’s important that everyone get the facts about getting vaccinated, and make an informed decision, so we can protect Iowa’s seniors, our loved ones, our colleagues and ourselves.