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Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine on Monday. The Moderna vaccine was granted an emergency use authorization by the United Stated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last Friday. DMHA began vaccinating healthcare personnel on Tuesday.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was created to prevent individuals from developing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To obtain the best protection from getting COVID-19, two doses of the vaccine are required. The second dose is given at least 28 days after the initial vaccination.

Vaccine safety is top priority for the FDA. Clinical trials have been conducted to provide information to the FDA. The information gained from clinical trials is used by the FDA to determine vaccine safety and effectiveness. Clinical trials on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and others have been conducted according to the rigorous standards set forth by the FDA in their June 2020 guidance document. Even though the vaccine has received authorization to be used in the U.S., clinical trials will continue in order to ensure continued safety and effectiveness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has many vaccine safety monitoring systems in place to watch for possible side effects of the vaccine. This continued monitoring can pick up on adverse events that may not have been seen in clinical trials. The CDC and other federal partners will continue to use existing safety monitoring systems, such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and Vaccine Safety Datalink. The CDC and FDA have expanded their safety monitoring systems. The V-Safe program is a new smartphone based health checker for people who receive the vaccine and the National Healthcare Safety Network is an acute and long-term care facility monitoring system. These new monitoring systems will give the CDC and the FDA the ability to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine safety in real-time.

Because the current supply of the COVID-19 vaccine is limited, the CDC recommends that the initial supplies be offered to healthcare personnel and long-term care residents. However, as soon as large enough quantities are available, the goal is for everyone to be able to easily get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccine being provided was purchased by the federal government and will be given to American people at no cost.

As with any vaccine, there are potential side effects. These are often a normal sign that your body is building protection against the virus. Common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination include pain and swelling at the injection site, and general symptoms such as fever, chills, tiredness and headache. The side effects usually resolve within 24 hours.

The COVID-19 vaccine is only one of many important tools to help stop the pandemic. It is essential for everyone to continue to cover their mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least six feet away from others, avoid crowds and wash their hands often.

Please contact DMHA at 406-775-8730 with any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Ask for DMHA clinic nurse, Nikki Slagter RN, or DMHA Infection Prevention Assistant, Raquel Williams RN. For more information on the COVID-19 disease and vaccine go to http://www.cdc.gov .