Get Your Vaccine | Jefferson County Health Department

The Jefferson County Health Department understands that common good is found in our shared common ground, our stories. In that spirit, we’ve been working with local community leaders and nonprofit partners to share their personal messages from members within our community in support of COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

We’ve gathered #MyWhy videos from these community leaders to share their journey to the decision to get the COVID vaccine. You can do your part, as well. Talk to your family members and friends who still haven’t gotten the COVID vaccine about your own #MyWhy. Your voice could be the most important voice they hear.

Improving the vaccination rates within our community will not only help to keep our local economy strong, but our families and friends safe, and our future filled with promise for the generations to come.

Does the vaccine cause side effects?

While some experience symptoms, most side-effects are mild – like body aches or fatigue – which tell us that our bodies are building protection against the virus. Long-term side effects are extremely unlikely.

Does the vaccine cause infertility?

There’s no evidence that the vaccine causes infertility in either men or women. Women have gotten the vaccine and gotten pregnant. The vaccine can protect you and your baby’s health.

Should I get the vaccine if I'm pregnant?

Absolutely. If you are pregnant or if you plan to get pregnant, it is extremely important that you get the Covid-19 vaccine. It can be life-saving for you and your baby. Without the vaccine, pregnant women can get severely ill with high fevers especially in the first trimester, and this can cause birth defects.

Was the vaccine developed too quickly?

Actually, the science for this vaccine has been around for quite some time. Dr. Corbett has been studying for the last six years and has been working on a vaccine for this particular pandemic. She helped to develop the Moderna vaccine. A scientist from the University of Pennsylvania since the 1990s. The core science has been around for a long time. FDA approval is the toughest safety approval in the world and that ensures the vaccine’s safety.

Is the vaccine halal?

Yes, the vaccine is halal. Muslim scholars in America have looked into it and they determined, they made sure that it is halal. It is safe – many Imams and their families have received it gladly to protect both themselves and their neighbors.

It is very important to protect life. It’s the essence of Islam. Islam teaches that if you protect one life, it is as if you have protected the entire humanity. It’s an Islamic obligation for all of us to save lives and to live in a community where everyone feels safe.

What does the vaccine cost?

The vaccine is free. It does not cost anything. You don’t need to have insurance to get vaccinated. No one is going to ask you about your immigration status. You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-304-728-8416 or by visiting www.vaccinefinder.org.

Does the vaccine cause myocarditis?

Many patients ask about the side-effects of myocarditis after vaccination. It’s not only extremely rare, with roughly 20 out of 1,000,000 patients contracting it, but is a very mild symptom that will go away rapidly.

Is the vaccine safe for children?

Lots of parents have questions about vaccine safety for their children. The vaccine is very safe. It has been through the same approval process as other vaccines (polio, measles, influenza).

Parents also frequently ask about effectiveness and side-effects for children. The vaccine has been extremely effective protecting people from severe illness. Just as for adults, the side-effects in children are minimal. Fevers, muscle aches and long-term side-effects are rare.

We need to protect not only our children, but all of those that they come into contact with, whether at school or out in the community. Improving vaccination rates help to keep our entire community safe.

What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID?

A positive test means that it’s likely you had COVID-19 at the time when the test was taken. Contact a healthcare provider immediately to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild at first. Don’t delay as treatment must be started within the first few days of contracting the illness to be effective. Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency care if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, new mental confusion, inability to wake or stay awake. Stay in touch with your doctor throughout your recovery.

Avoid public transportation and all in-person events. Stay home except to see medical professionals and receive treatment. If possible, isolate in a particular part of your home to avoid contact with even those who live with you. Avoid contact with others for at least 5 days after the first positive test including at meal times. Wear a mask near others, avoid seeing those who are more at-risk for at least 10 days, even if they have already received the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots.

Tell those you are closest to and have recently seen that they may have been exposed and ask them to get tested as well to know for certain.

GET YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE

#MyWhy

Do you have any remaining questions about why you should get vaccinated against COVID-19? Listen to some stories from those in our community explaining why they decided to get theirs.