Newsletters

2021-Spring-HeartBeat

Health & Hope is a newsletter designed to educate and inspire Western Montanans on life-saving procedures, community events and services to keep you and your family healthy.

Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1356196

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By Dan B. Getz, D.O. Chief Medical Officer Providence Health Care You may see and hear conflicting information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell what's fact from fiction. As a health care provider and health system committed to the well-being of our communities, here is fact-based information to help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones. HEALTH TIP COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts MYTH 1: The COVID-19 vaccines were rushed and not safe. Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine was determined safe and highly effective in preventing COVID-19 by the FDA, the government agency that oversees and regulates vaccine development and approval. Other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also found the vaccine safe and effective after evaluation. At Providence, we carefully reviewed the data prior to making it available at our facilities. We always put the safety and well-being of patients first. Myth 2: Taking the COVID-19 vaccine will give me COVID-19. Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine will not give you the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine uses messenger RNA to teach your immune system how to recognize and fight off the virus, should you come into contact with it. The vaccine does not include live virus and therefore cannot cause an infection. Myth 3: The vaccine contains a microchip. Fact: There is no microchip or tracking device in the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is intended to prevent or lessen the impact of COVID-19 should you come into contact with the virus – not to track you. Myth 4: The COVID-19 vaccine doesn't protect me. Fact: Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine was designed to protect you from contracting the virus or to limit the severity of the disease should you contract it. We know from other diseases and their vaccines that we can slow or stop the spread of disease when roughly 60 to 80 percent of a population gets vaccinated. A vaccine can limit the spread of the disease by helping to protect you and those around you. This shot is our best shot at stopping COVID-19. Myth 5: I don't need to wear a mask or socially distance after receiving the vaccine. Fact: You still need to wear a mask and take other precautions after getting the COVID-19 vaccine — at least for a while. Individual city and state mandates will likely be in effect until our communities become widely vaccinated. A COVID-19 vaccine, in combination with other measures such as wearing a mask, frequent hand washing and social distancing, is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. If you'd like to know whether you can receive the vaccine now, please go to the Washington State Department of Health website and complete the Phase Finder survey. www.doh.wa.gov/ Emergencies/COVID19/ Vaccine For additional information, please visit Coronavirus.Providence.org and click on "Regional Updates" and "Washington." PROVIDENCE.ORG/HEARTBEAT 13

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