The following information has been produced by our Associate Director of Quality Assurance, Laura Viers, on March 4th, 2021. For additional questions and information, please email Laura at Laura.Viers@supportinc.com
To all Support, Inc. Staff, Providers and Families:
In this communication we will cover the following:
- National COVID-19 vaccine update.
- Comparison of the three COVID-19 vaccines
- Colorado’s updated COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan and what this means for persons receiving services.
1. National updates:
On Saturday February 27th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to Johnson & Johnson to use their Janssen Bio tec. COVID-19 vaccine. Comparison of the three COVID-19 vaccines:
2. Comparison of the three COVID-19 vaccines:
When getting your vaccine, you will likely not have a choice in which vaccine you get. Manufacturer availability depends on the vaccine each clinic gets on a weekly basis. For vaccine’s requiring a second dose, you must get the same brand for your first and second dose. There are now 3 COVID-19 vaccine’s below is a comparison of the three vaccines.
Pfizer | Janssen | Moderna |
| Side effects: Pain at the injection site Injection site redness Injection site swelling Tiredness Headache Muscle pain Fever Chills Joint pain Swollen lymph nodes | Side effects: Pain at the injection site Injection site redness Injection site swelling Tiredness Headache Muscle aches Fever Nausea | Side effects: Pain at the injection site Injection site redness Injection site swelling Fatigue Headache Muscle pain Fever Chills Joint pain Swollen lymph nodes Nausea Vomiting |
| Who can get the Pfizer vaccine? The FDA granted emergency use authorization for individuals 16 years and older | Who can get the Janssen vaccine? The FDA granted emergency use authorization for individuals 18 years and older | Who can get the Moderna vaccine? The FDA granted emergency use authorization for individuals 18 years and older |
| Administration of the Pfizer vaccine: The Pfizer vaccine vaccination series if 2 doses given 21 days apart. * You must get both doses of the vaccine * | Administration of the Janssen vaccine: The Janssen vaccine is given as a single dose. | Administration of the Moderna vaccine: The Moderna vaccine vaccination series is 2 doses given 28 days apart. * You must get both doses of the vaccine * |
| Storage of the vaccine: The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures of -76° F and -112° F | Storage of the vaccine: The Janssen vaccine must be stored between 36° F and 46° F. | Storage of the vaccine: The Moderna vaccine may be stored in a fridge or freezer. The vaccine may be stored in a freezer between -5°F and -13°F or under refrigeration at 46°F to 36°F for up to 30 days. |
| How effective is the Pfizer vaccine? During the clinical study, Pfizer’s vaccine was found to be 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 disease. | How effective is the Janssen vaccine? During the clinical study, Janssen’s vaccine was found to be 77% effective at preventing severe/critical COVID-19 disease at least 14 days after vaccination and was 85% effective at preventing severe/critical COVID-19 at least 28 days after vaccination. | How effective is the Moderna vaccine? During the clinical study, Moderna’s vaccine was found to be 94.1% effective at preventing COVID-19 disease |
3. Colorado’s updated COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan and what this means for persons receiving services:
In the coming weeks, Phase 1B.3 and Phase 1B.4 of Colorado’s distribution plan will open. Phase 1B.3 will open additional eligibility for some individual’s in services. Phase 1B.4 will open eligibility for all individual’s receiving services through Support, Inc.
| Eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now | Coloradoan’s age 65 or older |
| Eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Friday March 5th | Coloradoan’s age 60 or older Coloradoan’s age 16 and older with 2 or more of the following high-risk conditions: Down Syndrome COPD Diabetic mellitus (type 1 and type 2) Individuals with disabilities who require direct care in their home. People with disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask Cancer (those currently receiving treatment or have received treatment in the last month) Chronic kidney disease Specific heart conditions (heart failure, cardiomyopathies, coronary heart disease, severe valvular/congenital heart disease) Obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 30kg/m^2) Pregnancy Sickle cell disease Solid organ transplant |
| Eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Around March 21st (official date TBD) | Coloradoan’s age 50 and older Coloradoan’s age 16 and older with 1 of the following high-risk conditions: Down Syndrome COPD Diabetic mellitus (type 1 and type 2) Individuals with disabilities who require direct care in their home. People with disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask Cancer (those currently receiving treatment or have received treatment in the last month) Chronic kidney disease Specific heart conditions (heart failure, cardiomyopathies, coronary heart disease, severe valvular/congenital heart disease) Obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 30kg/m^2) Pregnancy Sickle cell disease Solid organ transplant |
Do you follow us on Facebook? We are running a social media campaign to #SupportTheShot and have joined Alliance Colorado’s (our trade association) campaign to #RollUpYourSleve and help Colorado conquer COVID. If you would like to be featured on our social media page email cathy.kellogg@supportinc.com with a picture and why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important to you.
Be sure to never miss our correspondences, follow us on Facebook, be sure you are on email and newsletter distribution lists and check out website for on-going updates about COVID-19 and other happenings around the organization.
