COVID-19 Vaccine
APHCV is currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment to our patients and assigned members.
Full Vaccinations provide the best defense against serious COVID disease. While they will decline in protection due to time and mutations, they have been found to reduce tissue damage, hospitalization, and death. The CDC emphasizes that vaccination remains your best active defense against serious COVID disease. Due to lower current demand vaccine clinic is not held daily, please call (323) 644-3888 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Location and contact information is at the end of this article.
Which APHCV sites are offering vaccinations to Patients?
Belmont Health Center
180 Union Place
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(Located on Union Place just west of Belmont High School Multi-Media Building)
For medical appointments, please call 323.644.3885
El Monte/Rosemead Health Center
9960 Baldwin Place
El Monte, CA 91731
For medical appointments, please call 626.774.2988
Los Feliz Health Center
1530 Hillhurst Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
For medical appointments, please call 323.644.3888
Why is vaccination important?
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent disease. Vaccines save millions of lives each year and the COVID-19 vaccine will help slow down the spread of COVID-19. When we are vaccinated, we are not just protecting ourselves, but also those around us. The vaccines in the USA have proven to provide major protection after full vaccination from death or severe illness with COVID-19.
How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness. Different types of vaccine work in different ways to offer protection, but with all types of vaccines, the body is left with “memory” cells that will remember how to fight the virus in the future. These memory cells learn to recognize the virus the same exact way they would if you were ill. However, the vaccine helps you develop protection without risking lung damage or blood vessel wall damage.
To learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work, click here.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?
You may get side effects after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, which are normal. The vaccine side effects usually do not last long and will subside within 1-2 days. Some of the common side effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine may include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Sore arm, red arm, or swellingwhere you got the shot
Side effects are normal and a sign that the vaccine is working. It shows that your body is learning to fight a germ and build up immunity. It is important to get the second dose even if you get side effects after the first dose.
Tips on what to do once you are vaccinated
It takes about 10-14 days before the body learns to make antibodies. With vaccine, you may feel a low fever of about 100 degrees for a day. If you do not have the vaccine, you could take the same 10-14 days before the body learns to make antibodies and be very sick for those weeks.
Even after you have been vaccinated with your second dose, it takes up to two weeks after your last dose to get the best protection. Depending on which vaccine you receive, this means you will have the best protection two weeks after. You still need to be careful not to be exposed to those who are sick but with time, your risk of being seriously ill drops 10 to 18 fold (depending on age) after receiving the vaccine.
- If you received the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccine, you will have the best protection after your 3nd dose
- If you received the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine, you will have the good protection after your 1st dose since this is a single dose vaccine. However, the CDC now highly recommends that you receive an mRNA booster at least 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine.
- Booster dose can be from either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Switching between the two is permitted for the booster.
It is important to continue taking precautions such as washing your hands, wearing masks and practicing physical distancing.
Click here for CDC Guidance on when you have been fully vaccinated.
If you have any current medical concerns or questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to contact your Provider, please call 323.644.3888.
To learn more about the COVID -19 Vaccine, you can also visit Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website or Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Please for information about COVID-19 testing or for information about our clinical services.
