What's
the deal with boosters (and why it's a good time for a boost), Public Health Insider blog
Have you recently been notified by your child's school or your employer
that you've possibly been exposed to COVID? Or have your heard from friends or
family that they've had a positive test? If so, you aren't alone. COVID cases
are rising again. If you are eligible for a booster shot but haven't gotten it
yet, now is a perfect time to boost your protection.
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Q: WHAT IS VAERS?
A: Established
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1990s, the Vaccine Adverse
Events Reporting System, or VAERS, is a way for people to report any
health issues they may have after receiving a vaccination. Issues
may include allergic reactions, blood clots, intestinal problems, or
anything else. When patterns in the reporting occur, it can serve
as a warning for potential safety concerns and prompt further
investigation.
Since the
authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine, the publicly-available VAERS
data has been misused by activists and organizations who oppose
vaccines. VAERS collects data, but does not directly
attribute health problems or deaths to vaccination. Some people
ignore this important fact and state the COVID-19 vaccine is not safe,
and causes serious side effects or death. It's one of the many
ways misinformation and disinformation have persisted throughout the
pandemic.
If you
aren't familiar with VAERS, we hope you take time to read about it and
reassure your patients and clients that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe
and offers the best protection against severe illness and death.
Read more
about VAERS:
What VAERS Is (and Isn't) -
Johns Hopkins
Guide to Interpreting VAERS
Data - HHS
Antivaccine activists use a
government database on side effects to scare the public - Science.org
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The
CDC's After Getting the Vaccine page
shares what you can expect after getting vaccinated, including common side
effects.
Can you use a COVID-19 home (antigen) test after the
expiration date?
New
FAQ added to Rapid self-testing section