HJAR Jul/Aug 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2021 29 José R. Romero, MD Secretary Arkansas Department of Health changes in a woman’s schedule, problems with sleep and changes in diet or exercise. However, there is a timing recommendation for receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine for women undergoing fertility treatments. Women undergoing invasive procedures like in vitro fertilization should not get the vaccine three days before or three days after the procedure. That’s because the COVID-19 vaccines may have side effects or adverse effects that include fever or chills. Health experts do not want to confuse the side effects from getting the virus with any type of infection related to the fertilization procedure. It is important for every person who is eligible to get the vaccine to do so and to talk to their doctor if they have concerns or questions. COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone age 12 or older. They can make an appointment at a community pharmacy or an Arkansas Department of Health Lo- cal Health Unit. Vaccine clinics or events are also being held throughout the state. People can call 1-800-985-6030 for help in finding a vaccine in their area or signing up for an ADH clinic. More information is also available by visiting healthy.arkansas.gov. n by the vaccine will last. The added protec- tion from a vaccine is important, because, while no one wants to be sick to begin with, there is also still a lot to learn about the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are encouraged to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Anyone with concerns or questions is encouraged to talk to their doctor. Early studies are showing that women who get the vaccine before or while pregnant are developing antibodies that are then passed to the newborns, thus possibly protecting their babies from COVID-19. It is also very likely the COVID-19 vaccine provides some immunity for the nursing baby based on what is already known about immunity with other vaccines and breastfeeding. If a woman is thinking about becoming pregnant, there is no reason she should not get the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccinations have no effect on fertility, and there are no concerns for women of reproductive age who receive it. They can get the vaccine at any time while trying to get pregnant, because the vaccine does not contain a live virus. The COVID-19 vaccine will also not affect menstrual cycles, although there are other things that can, such as stress, vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) felt that the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweighed the risk of acquiring COVID-19 disease and continued to recommend their use. The FDA and CDC continue to closely monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety. Getting a vaccine will not cause a person to get sick with COVID-19. The vaccine will simply teach a person’s immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. This process sometimes will cause symptoms like muscle aches and fever, but this is normal and a sign that the body is building protection against the vi- rus that causes COVID-19. A person is con- sidered fully vaccinated once 14 days have passed since their final dose of the vaccine. COVID-19 can still spread even as vac- cinations are administered in the state. The CDC recommends unvaccinated people continue to wear face coverings, maintain physical distance around others, avoid gatherings with people from outside their household and wash their hands frequently. Once fully vaccinated, people may resume activities that they did before the pandemic. It is not yet known how long natural immu- nity to COVID-19 lasts, and it is also not yet known how long the immunity provided “After approval of the vaccines, two very rare side-effects were identified: anaphylaxis associated with mRNA-based vaccines and blood clots with the adenovirus-based vaccine. In both cases, following careful review of the vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) felt that the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweighed the risk of acquiring COVID-19 disease and continued to recommend their use.”