As a COVID-19 Vaccine Education Campaign Partner, The Learning Center for the Deaf has partnered with Health Care For All for its Vaccine Equity Initiative since 2020.
We are thrilled to be the recipient of a new grant from HCFA which allows us to continue our work providing outreach, education and resources through December 2022!
*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.
At-Home Rapid Test Kits by Mail
Individuals across the US can now order four more free COVID-19 tests through the mail. This is part of an initiative to reduce the spread of COVID-19 over the holiday season, when gathering with friends and family is common. It's the fourth round of free rapid tests this year. Each order includes four (4) individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Limit of one order per residential address.
COVID-19 Checklist
Here are some important steps that you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19.
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
There are two mRNA bivalent COVID-19 vaccine products:
- Bivalent Moderna booster dose recommended for people ages 18 years and older
- Bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose recommended for people ages 12 years and older
TLC will host a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The clinic will offer Moderna vaccines for 6 months to 5 years; and Pfizer vaccines for ages 5 and older, including the Pfizer bivalent booster.
All COVID-19 vaccines are free. We will have ASL Interpreters at the clinic. Free giveaways!
Earlier this month, the FDA authorized Modern and Pfizer to release a new COVID booster, aptly named the 'Bivalent' booster.
In the above interview, Dr. Lorne Farovitch discusses the biggest facts and myths about the bivalent booster shot, COVID vs. Flu, and the best ways to protect you and your loved ones this winter
The State of Massachusetts offers an updated list of COVID-19 clinic, including locations which offer VRI and interpreting. Watch this video to learn how to search for an accessible vaccine clinic near you!
COVID At-Home Test Expiration Extension
The FDA recently announced an extension on many At-Home COVID Test Kits that we may have on hand. Even after the printed date on the box has passed, these tests are still OK for another 9 to 12 months. Please watch this video for more information and visit the links below to find your Test Kit manufacturer:
5 Things to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Being fully vaccinated and boosted prevents the greatest level of protection against the dangers of COVID-19
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free for adults and kids
- Kids ages 6 months and up can now be vaccinated. Vaccinating kids helps protect the whole family
- No ID or insurance is required for vaccination
- There are new treatments for COVID-19 that are safe, effective and free. Contact your doctor/nurse practitioner immediately if you test positive and have mild to moderate symptoms. You can also visit mass.gov/CovidTreatments
Get an Over-the-Counter COVID Test for Free
Did You Know? Most people with a health plan can go online, or to their local pharmacy, to purchase an at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 test at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Learn more by watching this video.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order free at-home COVID-19 tests. There is limit of 3 orders per household. Each order contains 8 individual tests shipped in two separate packages.:
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.
COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
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.
The Delta Variant
August 9, 2021 - The Delta Variant: A Discussion with Drs. Lorne Farovitch and Alicia Wooten
Transcript:
en español português
français 中文
COVID Vaccine Live Q&A
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
COVID-19 Discussion with Dr. IV Mirus
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.
CONVO Hangout
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.
Daily Moth Interviews Dr. Featherstone
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.
Daily Moth Interviews Dr. Mirus
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.
General Vaccine Resources
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What are the current COVID Quarantine Guidelines?
Visit the CDC's webpage for the most up-to-date information on when to stay home and how long to quarantine. There is also a useful Tool to guide you step-by-step.
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.
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 for anyone ages 6 months and older. 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
What is V-Safe?
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.
How COVID-19 Vaccines Are Made
Frequently Asked Questions about how COVID-19 vaccines are made by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Your Digital Vaccine Record
Massachusetts may have a record of vaccinations you received in the Commonwealth. This may include COVID-19, influenza, tetanus, and many others. Use the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) portal to access your COVID-19 digital vaccine card.
What if I Lose my COVID Vaccine Card?
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.
Daily Moth: FDA Approves Pfizer for Children Ages 12-15
(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.
A Conversation about COVID Vaccines
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!