The Chouteau County Health Nurse was in Big Sandy on Tuesday December 29th to vaccinate medical personnel and residence of the Big Sandy Medical Center and Big Sandy Activities with the COVID-19 vaccine. The following information was obtained from the County Health Nurse. It is a fact sheet for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to permit the emergency use of the unapproved product, MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE, for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older."

"DESCRIPTION OF COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that appeared in late 2019. It is predominantly a respiratory illness that can affect other organs. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle and body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea."

"Dosing and Schedule--the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is administered intramuscularly as a series of two doses (0.5 mL each) 1 month apart." In Big Sandy, the next vaccine will be 28 days after the first. After the second shot recipients will have 14 days to wait before they are 95% protected.

"There are no data available on the interchangeability of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine with other COVID-19 vaccines to complete the vaccination series. Individuals who have received one dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should receive a second dose of the Moderna COVID- 19 Vaccine to complete the vaccination series."

"CONTRAINDICATION--Do not administer the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Warnings given as well: Appropriate medical treatment to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available in the event an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

Monitor Moderna COVID-19 vaccine recipients for the occurrence of immediate adverse reactions according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid- 19/)."

It is because there might be a reaction that after you receive the shot you must remain in the area for 15-30 minutes. "Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients.

ADVERSE REACTIONS--

Adverse reactions reported in a clinical trial following administration of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, nausea/vomiting, axillary swelling/tenderness, fever, swelling at the injection site, and erythema at the injection site. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine." I did visit with a number of people who received the vaccine and they reported the only adverse reaction they had was some soreness at the injection site.