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Navajo Nation COVID-19 Vaccine

Navajo Nation COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The Navajo Health Command Operations Center under the Navajo Department of Health is leading the Navajo Nation’s COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation in close collaboration with the Indian Health Services and tribal health organizations.

Navajo Nation will only use COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), these COVID-19 vaccines include the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Both COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses per person, separated by 21 to 28 days. Both shots must be taken to be effective.

The Navajo Nation will vaccinate priority populations before vaccinating the general public as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Receiving the vaccine is voluntary.

Vaccinations will not be available to everyone right away, and vaccines may not be available to the general public until mid-2021.

The vaccine will be distributed in the following phases:

57,965

Total Doses Distributed

27,488

Total Doses Administered

4,335

Total number of people who are fully immunized (completion of 2 doses)

Last Updated: January 21, 2021

Overall COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration – Includes both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines

*Reporting does not include UNHS, Tohajilee, Alamo, or Ramah facilities

PHASE 1: Limited Doses Available

Priority populations
Vaccine administered in closed

PHASE 2: Large Number of Doses Available

Enough supply of vaccine to meet demand
Readily available
Available to general population
Available through commercial and private organizations
Vaccine available through public health sites

PHASE 3: Continued Routine Vaccination

Routine access to public
Available through commercial and private organizations
Vaccine available through public health sites where required

Last Updated: January 15, 2021

Chinle Service Unit	Population	Date	Time
Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility	65 years old +	Drive Thru Monday - Friday	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pinon Health Center	65 years old +	Drive Thru Appoint Only Monday - Friday	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tsaile Health Center	65 years old +	Walk-Thru Appointment Only Monday - Friday	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Gallup Service Unit	Population	Date	Phone
Main Campus	75 years old +	Appointments Only Monday - Friday	(505) 722-1117
Tohatchi Health Center	75 years old +	Appointments Only	(505) 733-8334

Sage Memorial Hospital	Population	Date	Time
Main Campus	65 years old +	January 19	8:30 a.m. – 5:00 pm

Tuba City Regional Health Care	Population	Date	Time
Sacred Peaks Health Center	65 years old +	January 22	8:30 a.m. – 3:30 pm
Only for SPHC primary patients only

Winslow Indian Health Care Center	Population	Date	Time
Main Campus	65 years old +	Appointments Only Tues, Wed, Thurs	9:00 a.m. – 4:00 pm
Dilkon	65 years old +	Appointments Only January 19	9:00 a.m. – 3:00 pm
Leupp	65 years old +	Appointments Only January 21	9:00 a.m. – 3:00 pm

When will the vaccine be available on Navajo?

Navajo Nation has received the first doses of the vaccine, but the supply is limited
The Nation expects to get more shipments over the coming weeks and months

What should I do until it is available?

• Wear a mask	• Avoid crowds
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick	• Wash hands often
• Stay 6 feet away from others	• Use hand sanitizer

Why should I get vaccinated?

Helps protect you from getting COVID-19
Prevents severe illness if you get COVID-19
Helps protect people around you from getting COVID-19
Protects older adults 65 years old and older
Protects people who are high-risk for severe illness

Is the vaccine safe?

Vaccine trials go through a carefully monitored process to make sure they are safe for everyone
The vaccine won’t give you COVID-19
The vaccine doesn’t have the virus that causes COVID-19
Sometimes getting the COVID-19 vaccine can cause symptoms. This is normal, because your body is building up immunity

Who is going to be vaccinated first?

• Health care workers and long-term facilities	• Frontline workers and first
• Older adults aged 65 and older	• Spiritual leaders
• People who are high-risk for severe illness	• Essential workers and businesses

Will I need more than one dose of the vaccine?

Yes. There are 2 doses given 3 to 4 weeks apart for maximum protection
Both doses must be taken for the vaccine to effectively protect you

Pre-vaccination: what to know as you are making your decision

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

Many people report temporary side effects such as soreness at the injection site, headache, fatigue, body aches, chills or low-grade fever. These typically resolve within 1-2 days. There tend to be more side effects after the second dose. People over 55 years of age have fewer side effects.

Are there long-term side effects of the vaccine?

Clinical trials began in May 2020 and no serious safety concerns have been identified. The vaccine material degrades quickly in the body, so long-term side effects are very unlikely.

I don’t usually get the flu vaccine so why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 causes more severe disease than the flu (on average, 19% of COVID-19 patients are hospitalized compared to 2% of flu patients). Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to prevent disease. It is also recommended to receive the flu vaccine (if it is flu season) to prevent becoming sick with both COVID-19 and flu at the same time.

Will mRNA vaccines change my genes?

No, mRNA isn’t the same as DNA, and it can’t combine with our DNA to change our genetic code. It is also relatively fragile and remains in cells for less than 72 hours before being degraded.

Will the vaccine make people sterile?

No. This vaccine - nor any other vaccine currently in use – is not capable of causing sterility or harming the reproductive health of individuals.

Do the vaccines contain the COVID-19 virus?

No. Neither the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine nor the Moderna vaccine contain any parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They only contain instructions for making one of the key proteins (the spike protein) that is on the outside of the virus.

Why not take my chances with COVID-19?

COVID-19 is by far the more dangerous option. Although people who are older, obese or have other health problems are at highest risk for complications from COVID-19, younger people can become severely ill, too. As many as one in three people who recover from COVID have chronic complaints, including exhaustion, a racing heart and worse months afterward. COVID vaccines, in contrast, carry little known risk. Whether or not someone gets vaccinated, it will be important for everyone to continue to do all of the other recommended interventions, like wearing masks, social / physical distancing and hand washing.

Will children get the vaccine?

Right now, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is authorized for people 16 years and older and the Moderna vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years and older. Studies are ongoing to understand how the vaccine works in younger children. Until those data are available, the vaccine will not be given to children under 16 years old

Post-vaccination: getting your second dose and post-vaccination precautions

Are people protected after the first dose of vaccine?

A single dose can provide partial protection (~50%) starting around two weeks after the dose. A person is not considered fully protected until one week following the second dose.

If a vaccinated person develops symptoms of COVID-19, do they need to get tested?

Yes. The vaccine works very well but it is not 100% effective (only 95%). If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please get tested as soon as possible.

If someone was exposed to the virus after getting the 1st dose, would that affect getting the 2nd dose?

COVID-19 exposure after the first dose does not affect an individual’s ability to get the second dose. An exposed individual needs to have completed the quarantine period following exposure, prior to coming to clinic for the 2nd dose.

What happens if someone is given one of each vaccine for the COVID-19?

People should receive the same brand (either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna) for both their first and second doses. If different brands are inadvertently given, no additional doses of either vaccine are recommended at this time

Do people still have to wear masks and practice social distancing after being vaccinated?

Yes, for now. We still need to do our part, continue to wear masks in public and stay socially distanced until most of our community members have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and until the COVID-19 rates in our community are low.

Getting vaccinated: eligibility, side effects & considerations once you have decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine

Is vaccination voluntary?

Yes, receiving the vaccine is voluntary.

What are the phases of vaccination on Navajo Nation?

The Navajo Nation will vaccinate priority populations before the general public as recommended by the CDC. The Phases for Navajo Nation are available on the NDOH website: See Phase

If someone had COVID-19 and recovered, do they still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Yes, COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to eligible people regardless of past COVID-19 infection. People who had a COVID-19 infection will have immunity for a period of time, so they may defer vaccination until 90 days after their infection was diagnosed

If someone has a history of allergic reactions, can they get the vaccine?

It is safe for people with seasonal, pet or food allergies to get the vaccine. Although rare, anaphylactic reactions have been reported following vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (around 6 cases per million doses). Individuals who have a history of anaphylaxis (other than to vaccines/injectable therapy) can be receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a clinic setting where they can be monitored for 30 minutes after the injection. People should NOT receive the mRNA vaccine if they have:

Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components
Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components (including polyethylene glycol [PEG])*
Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate

Is the vaccine recommended for individuals with autoimmune disorders OR HIV infection OR who take drugs that affect the immune system?

Data are not currently available to establish safety and efficacy of the vaccines in these groups. However, such individuals are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. These individuals may still receive COVID-19 vaccine unless otherwise contraindicated.

Do patients with diabetes need to modify their insulin shots prior to vaccination?

Patients with diabetes should continue to take their medications (including insulin shots) as prescribed prior to receiving the vaccine. No changes in medication regimen are required.

Can people choose which vaccine they want to get?

Navajo Nation will only use COVID-19 vaccines that the FDA has authorized as safe and effective. At this point, vaccine supply is very limited and therefore choice is limited.

Do people need to be tested for COVID-19 before they get the vaccine?

No, you do not have to be tested for COVID-19 before you get this vaccine. People who are currently ill with COVID-like symptoms or who are in isolation or quarantine should contact their provider to schedule an appropriate time for vaccination

References

HOME

(928)871-6350
Hotline: 928-871-7014
Mental Health Helpline: (505)368-1438 or (505)368-1467

coronavirus.info@navajo-nsn.org
nndoh@navajo-nsn.gov