“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde

COVID Vaccine 101: Approved vaccinations are offered via injection into the muscle (typically in the upper arm) in a series of 2 doses, given 1 month apart. Clinical trials have proven the benefit to vaccine. They have illustrated prevention of COVID-19 after 2 doses (given one month apart) of the vaccine. However, currently, the length of time of protection following vaccination is unknown.

In a recent poll reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation, side effects are the number one concern of those who haven’t yet gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Side effects may include injection site reactions like pain, tenderness, swelling and redness, as well as general side effects. The general side effects may include fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

Real talk about COVID-19 and race:

The COVID Tracking Project is actively illustrating ongoing racial disparities and inequities related to COVID-19 in the United States. As of March 3, 2021 in the U.S., Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were most likely to contract COVID-19 and African-Americans were most likely to die of COVID-19. Native-American and Hispanic numbers trail close behind in the amount of disproportionate deaths related to COVID-19. According to the COVID Tracking Project, African-Americans die at 1.4 times the rate of White people nationwide in the United States. There have been at least 75,516 Black lives lost due to COVID-19 to date. This accounts for about 15% of COVID-19 deaths where race was identified. As a result of the highest numbers of COVID-19 deaths in the last month in the U.S., COVID-19 protection is needed now more than ever. The availability of information on how to get the COVID-19 vaccine, what happens when you get the COVID-19 vaccine and how to live in a world where COVID-19 is real is essential. Make space for conversations and share the facts (with the help of information issued by the CDC as well as the COVID Tracking Project) throughout your community to help diminish the impact of COVID-19.