As a COVID-19 Vaccine Education Campaign Partner, The Learning Center for the Deaf is partnered with with Health Care For All for its Vaccine Equity Initiative from 2020-2021. While the campaign has ended, TLC will continue to provide accessible information about COVID-19 as often as possible.
*Note: It is the mission of The Learning Center for the Deaf to ensure information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is accessible for all, including vaccine clinics, educational materials and support services. We acknowledge and respect the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is personal, and The Learning Center for the Deaf encourages individuals to use the non exhaustive list of resources below, as well as individual medical professionals, to continue to examine the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
January 18, 2022: Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four (4) free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them:
Dr. IV Mirus discusses the Omicron variant with The Daily Moth.
*Note: This interview was conducted Wednesday, December 1, before the first U.S. case of the Omicron was identified in California.
October 15, 2021 - Check out our most recent discussion about the COVID-19 booster vaccine featuring Drs. Ian DeAndrea-Lazarus, Alicia Wooten and Lorne Farovitch.
August 9, 2021 - The Delta Variant: A Discussion with Drs. Lorne Farovitch and Alicia Wooten
Transcript:
en español português
français 中文
June 10, 2021 - Dr. Alicia Wooten and Dr. Lorne Farovitch partnered with TLC for a Facebook Live discussion about COVID vaccines. Both physicians addressed common questions about the vaccines, including side effects and accessibility.
Watch it again
September 16, 2021: Alex asks Dr. IV Mirus, a Coda ER doctor who works in a Dallas-area hospital, several questions about unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, whether booster shots are needed, and his thoughts on Ivermectin.
September 9, 2021: Melissa Yingst, Dr. Chris Moreland, Ian DeAndrea-Lazarus, MPH, MD-PhD candidate, and Torey MacPherson break down the latest updates about COVID-19/Delta cases and what you need to know.
August 16, 2021: The Daily Moth chats with deaf pediatrician Dr. Zach Featherstone from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, about COVID-19 in schools.
July 26, 2021 - Dr. IV Mirus, a Coda ER doctor, provides his take on the Delta variant, the possibility of booster shots, and shares his frustrations with people who choose not to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
If you are a Massachusetts resident, ages 12-17, who received their COVID-19 vaccines in Massachusetts, you can register for VaxMillions Giveaway to win one of five college scholarships!
The scholarship will be provided in the form of a contribution to a 529 College Savings Plan administered by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) and managed in partnership with Fidelity Investments.
COVID-19 Vaccine Lottery
Governor Charlie Baker has announced the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway. Beginning in July, fully vaccinated individuals could win $1 million (for ages 18+), or a college scholarship (for ages 12-17). Residents who are fully vaccinated and who received their vaccination in Massachusetts can register starting July 1. Weekly drawings will begin the week of July 26 and will continue through Aug. 27. According to governor Charlie Baker, the money is coming from federal coronavirus relief funds.
VaxExpress: Mobile Clinics on Commuter Rail Trains
The “Vax Express,” launched by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, in partnership with CIC Health, is bringing COVID-19 vaccines to MBTA Commuter Rail train stations across the Commonwealth, including Boston, Worcester, Lawerence, Lynn and Fitchburg.
Staffed by CIC Health partner Cataldo Ambulance. Clinics will offer the two-dose Pfizer vaccine (ages 12+) or single-dose J&J vaccine (ages 18+). Walk-ups welcome; appointments accepted.
Heading to a COVID Vaccine Clinic?
Our Visual Communication Card can be helpful for Clinic staff to help ensure you have language access. You can download and print this card out, or show someone your phone at your clinic location. We hope to have copies of this card available at Massachusetts clinic sites soon!
What to expect when an individual gets vaccinated for COVID-19 - in ASL.
For more videos, visit the CDC COVID-19 ASL Playlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Vaccine FAQs - English
- Preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacuna COVID
- Perguntas Frequentes sobre a Vacina COVID
- 关于COVID疫苗的常见问题
Do I have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine is free. You will never be asked for a credit card number to make an appointment. You must make an appointment to get a vaccine.
Should someone who is COVID-19-positive receive the vaccine?
No. People who are known to have COVID-19 should wait to be vaccinated until their isolation period has ended, usually 10 days after symptoms started or, if they didn’t have symptoms, 10 days after their test was positive.
Should people who have had COVID-19 previously be vaccinated?
Yes, people who have previously had COVID-19 should be vaccinated.
Where can I find vaccine clinics near me?
Please visit the state website VaxFinder or learn more about Mobile Vaccination Services.
I do not drive. How can I receive a vaccine?
MassHealth is providing free transportation to vaccine appointments to any individual that has any type of MassHealth coverage or the Health Safety Net. If you have MassHealth or the Health Safety Net, you can call your health plan or MassHealth directly to schedule free transportation at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648).
Additionally, some local towns offer vaccines for homebound individuals. Please contact your local Board of Health or Municipal Government Office.
Facebook Watch: Homebound Vaccination Program to Expand Beginning Monday, May 24
Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?
No. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19; therefore, if you test positive for COVID-19, even if you have gotten the vaccine, you would need to isolate.
How Do I Know the Vaccine is Safe?
It’s important to know that vaccines go through more testing than any other pharmaceuticals. First, small groups of people receive the trial vaccine. Next, vaccine is given to people with certain characteristics (e.g., age, race, and physical health). Then, vaccine is given to tens of thousands of people and tested for effectiveness and safety. After that, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) looks at the data to see whether the vaccine works and is safe. They give advice to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA looks at the data and the advice from the ACIP and decides whether to approve the vaccine. The vaccine is only approved after all of these steps are done, and the experts are sure that it works and is safe.
Please visit Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States or access multilingual vaccine fact sheets here.
How long after getting the COVID-19 vaccine does it take to be effective?
It usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it's possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine more than 14 days ago.
Contact Information:
- For help scheduling an appointment: 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277
- Health Care For All: (800) 272-4232
- For Mental Health Concerns, please contact Mass Support at (888) 215-4920 or 2-1-1
V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Before making a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, see if COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for you right now. Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Also Watch: What to Expect at Your Mass Vaccination Site
Frequently Asked Questions about how COVID-19 vaccines are made by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Everyone who gets their COVID vaccine is also handed card with important information about their dosage, clinic date and which vaccine was received. But what happens if you lose this card? Three options are offered here.
Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you do not travel until you are fully vaccinated.
(Daily Moth, May 11, 2021. Begin at 1:41): On Monday, May 10, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use for children ages 12 to 15.
Pfizer held clinical trials with over 2,000 kids in this age group and found that the vaccine was 100% effective with children developing antibodies and having similar side effects as adults. Click here for the Mass DPH dedicated site for Youth Vaccine Education.
Pfizer hopes to secure FDA approval for vaccines for children under 12 later this fall.
Massachusetts psychologist Alexander Wilkins took a few moments to discuss the Youth COVID-19 vaccines with some TLC students. Thank you, Alex, for your participation!