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What’s This All About?
You have support all around you to help you be the healthiest version of yourself: your natural family, your spiritual family, and your health providers! More likely than not, everyone is rooting for your health and safety.
The COVID-19 vaccine can be a mighty friend in these troubling times. Whether you still need a first dose or just a booster, we encourage you to lean on the research as well!
But my faith in Him is strong!
And it still can be–no one can take that away from you. Just like you might get a preventive shot as a child, or take a little cold medicine when you’re not feeling good, the COVID-19 vaccine can keep us a little safer.
But I don’t know what’s in it
You can have faith in the evidence created for this vaccine. Its ingredients are simple: fats, salts, sugars and mRNA: an inactive strain of the virus that introduces it to your body without actually giving it to you.¹
Clearing Up Some Other Misunderstandings
Around The Vaccine
Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine was too rushed
Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine uses a method that has been around for more than 20 years. The same method has been used for flu and rabies vaccines.¹ The scientists didn’t have to come up with something completely new. Plus, because the whole world was affected, creating the vaccine was a giant team effort that showed us that we can go so far with partnership.
Myth: I’ve already had my initial COVID shots/I’ve already had COVID. I don’t need any more vaccines
Fact: Just like we need flu shots every year, we need to stay updated on COVID vaccines as well! People who have had COVID, but no vaccine, are 2x more likely to get reinfected than those who had the virus and got vaccinated after.² Booster shots are updated to fight the most current strain of the virus (that is often increasingly aggressive). The booster shot just gives your body a little reminder to keep making cells to fight the virus.
Myth: COVID-19 vaccine is just another nasty experiment on black and brown people
Fact: The health system in America has treated black and brown people poorly in the past and strives to be better every day. But one thing you can rest assured of is that the COVID-19 vaccine was made for all people. It was tested on a variety of races and ethnicities.³ Because COVID-19 affects everyone, they had to make a vaccine that works for everyone.
Myth: The side effects aren’t worth it
Fact: While many take the vaccine without side effects, some mild side effects are normal and short-term. Serious side effects are extremely rare.¹ Remember, very few of us wouldn’t take Tylenol just because there’s a small risk of bleeding. If you get concerned about any side effects, your health care provider should always be there to assist you.
Ready to Lean? Your Community is Depending on You! One thing about black and brown communities, we know we have always been resilient–strong–steadfast. That’s why it’s so important we continue to protect each other. Due to many reasons, black and brown people still have higher rates of high blood pressure and diabetes than the general population.⁴,⁵ COVID-19 only complicates these conditions.⁶ Getting the vaccine is just one step toward not only protecting yourself, but the congregation around you: the elders, the young, and the sick. Bound by love, let’s continue to fight this virus together.
We’ve Come This Far by Partnership–Let’s Go Further
Since the COVID-19 vaccine was introduced in 2020, deaths have gradually dropped. There was a spike this year when the Omicron variant made its way into our homes.⁷ While a less COVID-filled world is certainly something to rejoice, the work isn’t done yet!
We encourage you to continue to partner with your friends, family, and health care team to continue to make a safer future for those most vulnerable. Take a step with us into this new journey and say “I will trust.”
I will trust for my health:
The COVID-19 vaccines have so many benefits. It can help protect you from serious complications if you have any chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes or lupus.⁶
The vaccines have been proven to be up to 90% effective against severe COVID and can lower the likelihood that you catch it.⁸ Because the virus is so unpredictable and you don't know how it will interact with your body, it’s better to prepare your body with the best defense!
I will trust for my family:
Protect your congregation and the ones you love by using preventative measures, such as getting your COVID-19 vaccine and boosters. You can also use masks and distance yourself when you think you might be sick, until you know more and can get a test. It’s always better to say “Just in case” rather than “I wish I would’ve!”
Protecting yourself is important, but many of us look out for other people first: our babies, our siblings, our parents, our grandparents.
I will trust for my community:
The decision to step up to COVID is a decision to love and to protect as a whole: for all people in our community. It’s for the people we pass in the grocery store. It’s for our neighbors we like to check in on. It’s for the people we worship with. It’s for the other kids our kids play with. Small choices lead to big change. When everyone makes the one small decision to say “enough,” we all come together to arm ourselves in the fight against COVID.
Get the right partners:
COVID-19 can be scary and confusing, so it’s best to make sure all your information sources are sound and secure. Go to GetVaccineAnswers.org to read up on the latest information. Medical professionals, such as your doctor or a pharmacist can also work with you to help you make an informed decision on vaccines and booster schedules best for you and your family’s situation. There are so many success stories to share from the COVID-19 vaccines. Have faith–and facts–over fear!
One Family. One Vaccine.
It just starts with one. One step toward a thousand opportunities to protect the ones we love.
It just starts with one. Protecting your family against COVID-19 takes just one decision to save your health, which can also change outcomes for all involved. Protect your natural family and spiritual family by taking one more step.
Just one initial series: Currently in the United States, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are recommended for the initial COVID series.⁹ This means two vaccines to build up enough immunity to fight against the virus. This allows your body to get introduced to the virus, without getting overwhelmed by having to fight an active infection. You won’t get infected from the vaccine, your body will just know to fight the virus if you ever do.
One more booster: It may seem scary to get so many shots for COVID-19, but it’s not! Booster shots are just little check-ins to keep reminding your body that it still needs to be on the lookout. These shots are updated to fight the newest, more aggressive strains of the virus. Some vaccines just have different time periods between when we need to get them.
In some cases, one more full dose is needed: If you are immunocompromised, such as if you have a dangerous case of high blood pressure, or diabetes, your doctor may recommend you get one more full dose to help your system fight even more.⁶
The COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are so important for everyone in the family: parents, children, grandparents and those who can’t yet get the vaccine, like babies. Protect everybody under your one roof, with just one simple step today. Get vaccinated!
Take Your Health Higher
A healthy life is a life worth rejoicing! Use preventative measures to protect yourself and others.
When good times come around, we feel like we could sing praise from the rooftops! The COVID-19 pandemic put us through a tough situation, but as time has proved, we don’t have to stay down. Faith in a more hopeful future and COVID-19 vaccines have gotten many of our communities out of this rough period.
Here are some ways to keep you and your family uplifted in good health!
Get your primary vaccine series and boosters. The COVID-19 vaccines are changing to keep up with the changing virus.
The new bivalent booster from Pfizer and Moderna are authorized for use to protect against the newer, more aggressive strands of the virus. If you have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, make sure you talk to your doctor to talk about any additional doses you may need.⁶ The vaccines, when taken on the correct schedule, have proved to be up to 90% effective against severe COVID.⁸ Elevate your immune system with the vaccine, instead of overwhelming it with an actual infection.
Continue to mask up when needed
Wearing masks is still a safe way to ensure you don’t spread the virus. Whether you’re feeling a bit sick and you’re not sure what’s going on, or you’re around extremely vulnerable people like the elderly or newborns, keep yourself and everyone safe when it’s best to do so.
Monitor and test regularly
Using at home COVID-19 tests are a great way to make sure that sniffle you have is just a cold, and nothing more. You can pick them up at your local pharmacy and keep them around for the colder months as all kinds of germs present many cold and flu-like symptoms.
Casting Your COVID Burdens:
How to have faith in the science as well
You care what goes into your body, mind and soul. In return, you get an abundance of blessings. Choosing to get the COVID-19 vaccine and using other preventative measures does the same. If you’ve had enough of COVID-19 burdening your community, cast your hesitancy aside and choose to stay safe for the sake of those around you.
Cast Because You Care: You care about your health. After all, it feels good to feel good. Choosing to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters is one of the best acts of self-love and self-protection you can do for yourself. Vaccines help prevent serious COVID-19 infection, which can lead to worsening complications from diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes⁶, or even cause Long COVID, in which symptoms can linger for up to six months or more. ¹⁰
Cast Because You Love: Many of us will fight for those we love. Getting vaccinated is just one part of the battle, but one that can help you conquer many troubles. Not only does the vaccine help protect you, but your family, your friends, and your neighbors as well. As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, we often don’t know who’s most vulnerable until it’s too late.
Cast Because You Hope: Troubles don’t last always! We all hope for a better future, one in which COVID-19 is no longer a big worry. One step toward getting there is making sure the community builds up enough immunity to where the virus’ effects aren’t as dangerous. Getting vaccines and boosters continue to give us hope that one day COVID-19 won’t be as scary as it once was.
Cast Your Cares Aside:
Ready to believe in a better future for your community? Get the facts on the vaccine and how you can get one:
If you haven’t yet had your primary series, Pfizer and Moderna are currently authorized for use by the FDA.¹¹ Depending on which vaccine you get, you’ll need to get your first and second dose between three and four weeks apart.⁹ The second shot strengthens your immune response to the virus, which is needed because it is one of the more aggressive viruses we’ve seen.¹²
If you have had your first two shots, it’s time to get your first or second booster! Many people around the world took booster shots last winter to help combat the Delta variant of COVID-19. This year, Pfizer and Moderna have updated their vaccines to be most effective against newer, more aggressive strains of COVID-19, including Omicron.¹³
Continue to get additional doses if your immune system is weakened: If you have a pre-existing condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or lupus, you should talk to your doctor to make sure you’re getting the right number of shots for you.⁶
This year, in order to get a vaccine, many pharmacies and medical centers are requiring individuals to make an appointment over the phone or online.
Through It All
You’ve walked through the fire and you’ve been through the flood: you’ve been bearing through the COVID-19 pandemic for the last three years!
Thanks to vaccines and other preventative measures, such as wearing masks and social distancing, many communities have come out stronger and more connected than ever.
To keep turning valleys into hills, communities must continue to fight against COVID-19. Staying up to date on vaccines is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from any more troubles.
If you haven’t yet had your primary series, Pfizer and Moderna are currently authorized for use by the FDA.¹¹ Depending on which vaccine you get, you’ll need to get your first and second dose between three and four weeks apart.⁹ The second shot strengthens your immune response to the virus, which is needed because it is one of the more aggressive viruses we’ve seen.¹²
If you’ve had your first two shots, it’s time to get your first or second booster! Many people around the world took booster shots last winter to help combat the Delta variant of COVID-19.
This year, Pfizer and Moderna have updated their vaccines to be most effective against newer, more aggressive strains of COVID-19, including Omicron.¹³
Continue to get additional doses if your immune system is weakened; if you have a pre-existing condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or lupus, you should talk to your doctor to make sure you’re getting the right number of shots for you.⁶
If you feel like your community has been broken into pieces, or you feel like it’s nearly at a breaking point, remember that through it all, your congregation, your faith, your medical team and the science behind the COVID-19 vaccines are here to get you through another year. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about a vaccination plan best for you and your loved ones.
To find a vaccine provider near you, go to vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233
About the Author:
Alexis McCurdy – Author & USHR Volunteer.
Alexis is a volunteer for Under-Served Health Resources (USHR), a non-profit organization that connects medically underserved communities to better health care through education and technology. Having grown up in a wide range of neighborhoods, Alexis is passionate about helping black and brown communities achieve equal levels of health as other communities and reduce disparities, so that we can all have the same fair and fighting chance at a healthy, happy life.
About This Campaign:
Bivalent Bible was a campaign to promote people of faith receiving their COVID-19 vaccination. By connecting their religion with public health, this campaign was successful in promoting immunizations, clearing up misunderstandings, and educating on how to protect their community. To reach even more individuals of faith, this campaign was also translated into Spanish.
Campaign by U.S.H.R
Under-Served Health Resources (USHR) is a mission-driven organization advancing health equity and achieving better outcomes for underserved populations facing inequitable social and medical barriers through innovative health services. USHR is a 501c3 that receives support from federal/state agencies, foundations, and other philanthropies that are committed to advancing health equity for underserved communities with chronic medical needs. The organization ran by a dedicated, volunteer Board of Directors. For more information about USHR or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit USHRgroup.org
SOURCES
¹ Kelen, Gabor David, and Lisa Maragakis. “COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth Versus Fact.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 10 Mar. 2022, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-myth-versus-fact.
² Pena, Luz. “People Who’ve Had COVID, Twice as Likely to Get Reinfected Than Those Who Get Vaccinated, CDC Says.” ABC7 San Francisco, 9 Aug. 2021, abc7news.com/covid-immunity-coronavirus-vaccines-cdc-study-unvaccinated-people-who-had-twice-as-likely-to-get-reinfected/10936598.
³ “COVID-19 FAQS.” Black Community Vaccine Toolkit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2022.
⁴ “Heart Disease and African Americans.” Office of Minority Health, 31 Jan. 2022, minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Default.aspx?lvl=4.
⁵ “Diabetes and African Americans.” Office of Minority Health, 1 Mar. 2021, minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=18#:~:text=African%20American%20adults%20are%2060,with%20diabetes%20by%20a%20physician.
⁶ “People With Certain Medical Conditions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Nov. 2022, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.
⁷ Freed, Meredith, et al. “Deaths Among Older Adults Due to COVID-19 Jumped During the Summer of 2022 Before Falling Somewhat in September.” KFF, 6 Oct. 2022, www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/deaths-among-older-adults-due-to-covid-19-jumped-during-the-summer-of-2022-before-falling-somewhat-in-september.
⁸“Vaccines Have up to 90% Efficacy Against Severe COVID-19 for up to Six Months.” Penn State Health News, 21 July 2022, pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/06/vaccines-have-up-to-90-efficacy-against-severe-covid-19-for-up-to-six-months.
⁹ “COVID-19 Booster Shots and Additional Doses.” Anthem, 10 May 2022, www.anthem.com/coronavirus/blog/booster-vs-third-dose.
¹⁰ “Post-COVID Conditions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Sept. 2022, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html.
¹¹ Office of the Commissioner. “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines for Use as a Booster Dose in Younger Age Groups.” U.S. Food And Drug Administration, 12 Oct. 2022, www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-and-pfizer-biontech-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines.
¹² Seladi-Schulman, Jill, PhD. “Why Do You Need Two Doses for Some COVID-19 Vaccines?” Healthline, 5 Mar. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/why-two-doses-of-covid-vaccine.
¹³ Hause, Anne. “Safety Monitoring of Bivalent COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Booster ..” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Nov. 2022, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7144a3.htm.