The coronavirus vaccine information your doctors want you to know now.

COVID-19 Vaccines are now available in our area.

Because COVID-19 vaccines are the predominant focus of so many conversations in healthcare right now, Healthstar Physicians wants you to be informed about coronavirus vaccines so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family concerning vaccination against COVID-19. Now that there are authorized COVID-19 vaccines available in Morristown, Tennessee, people are being urged to get immunized against Coronavirus. There seem to be lots of questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and how they work, as well as some prevalent Coronavirus vaccine myths.  Here’s what you really need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations:

Myth:  COVID-19 vaccines can cause some patients to contract the virus.

Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States don't use a live version of the Coronavirus and cannot cause an individual to contract COVID-19. However, it takes the body some time to build immunity after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and it is, therefore, possible to become infected with the coronavirus just before or after being vaccinated.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccine side effects are severe.

Fact:  Common side effects for the COVID-19 vaccination include mild pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection, and possible fever, chills, tiredness, or headache.  Most side effects are gone within a few days and discomfort can be reduced by drinking plenty of fluids, exercising your arm, or applying a cold, wet cloth over the injection site.  If side effects are worrisome or don’t improve within a few days, you should contact your doctor.

Myth: The coronavirus vaccine causes infertility in women.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence to suggest that the new COVID-19 vaccines could cause a lack of fertility in females. Further, infertility is not known to be a natural side effect of COVID-19 disease, which adds to the credibility that the immune system’s response to the virus is not a cause of infertility, whether the virus has occurred organically or has been introduced to the body via a vaccine.

Myth: The new COVID-19 vaccines will alter human DNA.

Fact: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been well-tested for safety before being authorized for use. While mRNA technology is new by scientific standards, it not completely unknown and has actually been studied for well over ten years. Because the mRNA vaccine doesn’t enter the nucleus of the cell, it also cannot affect an individual’s DNA.

Myth: Those who have recovered from COVID-19 do not need a vaccine.

Fact: We don’t have enough information available to say yet whether or how long a COVID-19 victim is protected from getting the virus again. There is some evidence to suggest natural immunity after having COVID-19 may not last long. It is recommended that patients get the COVID-19 vaccine even if they have previously tested positive for the virus but should delay getting the vaccine until about 90 days from the original COVID-19 diagnosis. Those in quarantine because they have been exposed should wait until they are out of quarantine and have had no symptoms of the virus before taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have more questions about the COVID-19 virus or the new coronavirus vaccines, we’re here to help.

If you’re seeking more information about COVID-19 or the coronavirus vaccines, or you think you may be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please reach out to your doctor to discuss the best next steps in your care and treatment.

We’re here for you.

Healthstar Physicians wants to put you at ease. Especially in tentative times like these, it’s important for every patient to have a medical home. Healthstar Physicians would like the opportunity to be yours. If you’re looking for a doctor in Morristown, TN, we’d love to tell you more about the services we can provide. Well visits for all members of the family are a great place to start your relationship with one of our Morristown, TN physicians.  Call today to schedule an appointment.