Preparing for Your Visit During COVID-19

• What are Coronaviruses?

  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
  • In humans they can cause mild disease similar to a common cold others cause more severe disease (such as MERS and SARS)
  • Some coronaviruses that are found in animals can infect humans (zoonotic diseases)

• SARSCOV 2 How does it spread?

  • WHAT: The disease caused by SARS COV 2 is called COVID 19
  • HOW: transmission is from infected persons via droplets and through contact with fomites in the environment of the infected person aerosol transmission is specific settings e g when conducting a medical aerosol generating procedure
  • WHEN: mostly when individuals are symptomatic but can also happen when individuals are asymptomatic
  • WHERE: Where close contact, amplified in closed, crowded indoor settings

• What are COVID 19 Signs and Symptoms?

  • The most common symptoms are: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath
  • Other symptoms: aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of smell or taste, discoloration of fingers and nails
  • Most people who get infected but show very mild or no symptoms
  • Disease severity:

  1. 80% of those with symptoms recover without needing hospitalization
  2. Severe disease
  3. Very severe disease
  4. Deaths
  5. Older persons, and those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, lung and heart diseases, cancers are higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Does COVID 19 have a cure?

  • COVID 19 disease has no known treatment
  • Prevention is the main intervention:

  1. Detect, test and isolate
  2. Hand hygiene
  3. Cough etiquette
  4. Social and physical distancing
  5. Use of PPE in different setting including face masks
  6. Vaccines

• Will the vaccine help protect me from getting COVID 19 disease?

  • All COVID 19 vaccines currently available have been shown to be highly effective at preventing the disease
  • Based on what is known about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, COVID 19 vaccine protects from getting severe COVID 19 disease
  • Getting vaccinated protects people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from the disease

• COVID 19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection

  • Getting COVID 19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity
  • COVID 19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness

• Which vaccine am I getting?

  • Moderna COVID 19 Vaccine (mRNA 1273)
  • It is a messenger RNA (mRNA) based vaccine
  • Administered on the upper left arm via injection

• Who is eligible for vaccination?

  • Frontline workers not reached in Phase 1 – (Health workers, Security Personnel, Teachers, Clergy)
  • Individuals > 50 years of age
  • Individuals > 18 years with co-morbidities,
  • Individuals in congregate settings: Persons care homes, Prisons, refugee camps and detention centers
  • Provide verbal consent
  • Persons who have previously had SARS CoV 2 infection

  1. Vaccination may be offered regardless of a person’s history of symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS CoV 2 infection (4 weeks’ interval)
  2. Co administration with other vaccines, a minimum interval of 14 days should be observed

• What are the side effects of this vaccine?

  • Hypersensitivity to the 1st dose
  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients such as Polyethylene glycol. Moderna contain Polyethylene glycol (PEG) also found in other substances such as baby wipes, skin products, depot injections, vaccines and some drugs. Inform the nurse if you have allergic reactions to any others these items.

• Precautions: Moderna

  • Acute febrile illness (38 C and above)

  1. Postpone administration in individuals suffering from an acute severe febrile illness

  • Persons with acute PCR confirmed COVID 19

  1. Should not be vaccinated until after they have recovered from acute illness and the criteria for discontinuation of isolation have been met (4 weeks)

  • People with bleeding disorders
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers (Advisory from the KENITAG)
  • Treatment with monoclonal antibodies as part of COVID 19 disease treatment or convalescent plasma; should be deferred for 90 days

• What are the reactions to the Moderna vaccine?

  • Local site reaction – Pain, swelling and redness
  • General systemic effects: Tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea
  • Anaphylaxis has been reported rarely with mRNA vaccines (Moderna) but can occur with any antigen. Linked to polyethylene glycol, one of the components of mRNA vaccine