COVID-19 Resource Center

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. The COVID-19 vaccine has been held to the same rigorous safety and efficiency standards as all other types of vaccines.

Will the COVID-19 vaccination will help protect me from getting COVID-19 and COVID-19 variants?
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people from COVID-19 and help keep adults and children from getting seriously sick, being hospitalized, and dying. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death.

What are some potential side effects to the COVID-19 vaccination?
The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection.

Could I have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Allergic reactions were uncommon during COVID-19 vaccine trials. However, all recipients receiving the vaccine, are required to be monitored for at least 15 minutes after vaccination for any possible reactions. If you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines, please talk to your healthcare provider before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Can I receive the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive?
Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now, as well as people who might become pregnant in the future.

If I’ve had COVID-19, should I get vaccinated?
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19. You may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months. People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery.

Do COVID-19 vaccines contain a live virus?
No. The COVID-19 vaccines currently being developed in the U.S. don’t use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

What is the cost for a COVID-19 test?
COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide. The only cost to the patient is for the initial evaluation. As a Community Health Center, PHN accepts all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. We participate in most managed care plans, process most insurances, and offer a Sliding Fee Scale to eligible patients for discounted services.

If you test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

• You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as performing hand hygiene, wearing masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.
  • Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
  • If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or chest pain), seek emergency medical care immediately.

What should you do if you were exposed to COVID-19?

Using these prevention strategies can be especially helpful when you or those around you were recently exposed to a respiratory virus, are sick, or are recovering:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
  • Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory symptoms.
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness, but it needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.
• Wearing a mask and putting distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
• Testing for COVID-19 can help you decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading COVID-19 to others.

Am I eligible to receive oral antivirals?
Oral antivirals are used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults (18 years of age), who:

• Have a current diagnosis of mild to moderate COVID-19.
• are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death
• alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate

High risk reasons for more serious symptoms may include, but not limited to:

• Age ≥ 65 years
• Obesity
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive treatment
• Heart or circulatory conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure
• Chronic lung diseases including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Sickle cell disease
• Neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy
• Having a medical device

How can I get oral antivirals?
Talk with a healthcare provider to determine if an oral antiviral is an appropriate treatment option for you. If it is determined that you would benefit from one of these treatments, the healthcare provider will write you a prescription for the appropriate medication.

How are oral antivirals administered?
There are currently 2 oral antivirals authorized for the treatment of COVID-19: Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and PAXLOVID (nirmatelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets). Both are taken by mouth for a course of 5 days. It is important that patients complete the full 5 days of treatment with oral antivirals, even if they feel better.

What are the side effects of oral antivirals?
Common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. Paxlovid may cause altered sense of taste.