Covid-19 page – Hispanic Center of West Michigan

Resources & Information About Covid-19

Together We Can Fight Against COVID-19

Read Our Children's Book About COVID-19

All COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from getting very sick, being hospitalized, and death from COVID-19. As the virus changes and your immunity naturally decreases over time, you may lose some of that protection.

Infections with the virus, including the delta variant, occur in only a small proportion of people who received the full vaccine. When these infections occur in vaccinated people, they are usually mild.

If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the delta variant, you can spread the virus to others.

People with weakened immune systems, including people taking immunosuppressive drugs, may not be protected even if they are fully vaccinated.

There are currently 4 types of vaccines against COVID-19 virus:

1. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.

2. Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.

3. Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J/Janssen) Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be administered in certain situations.

Important Facts

Already 146 million people have been vaccinated in this country; however, Latinos, despite being the most affected by this virus, are also among the least vaccinated. The reasons are multiple, and include lack of access, lack of information about vaccination, and mistrust and fear about these vaccines.

According to CDC data, Latinos are three times more likely to be admitted to hospitals and twice as likely to die from COVID-19. Taking care of our health is the most important thing right now in order to get out of this situation.

Myths and Facts

MYTH

I can get COVID-19 from getting the vaccine.

TRUTH

You can’t get COVID-19 from getting the vaccine. The vaccine only replicates the fortified protein. If you do get Covid-19, your body recognizes the virus and can fight it off.

MYTH

COVID-19 vaccine can cause sterility.

TRUTH

There is no evidence to support sterility as a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

MYTH

If I had COVID-19 and recovered, I don’t need to get the vaccine.

TRUTH

Because of the serious health risks associated with the disease and the fact that re-infection is possible, it is recommended that people receive the COVID-19 vaccine even if they have had the disease before.

None of the COVID-19 vaccines affect or interact with our DNA.

Am I considered fully vaccinated if I do not receive a booster dose?

Yes. Everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Do booster doses have the same formula as existing vaccines?

Yes. The COVID-19 booster vaccines have the same formulation as the current COVID-19 vaccines. However, in the case of the Modern COVID-19 booster vaccine, it is half the dose of vaccine that people receive for their primary series.

What are the risks of receiving a booster vaccine?

So far, reactions reported after receiving a booster vaccine were similar to those of the primary series of two doses or a single dose. You can use v-safe to report any side effects to CDC. If you enter your booster vaccine into your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health checks. Fever, headache, fatigue, and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the primary series of two injections or single dose, serious side effects are rare, but can occur.

What are the types of booster vaccines?

Pfizer (Monovalent and Bivalent)
Moderna (Monovalent and Bivalent)
Updated (bivalent) booster vaccines are licensed to help provide better protection against COVID-19.
Bivalenet include components of the original virus strain and the omicron variant.

For more information, see this helpful CDC FAQ page.

Want to order your test online?

The Voices of Our Community: Speaking Out on Covid-19 Vaccines

Community COVID-19 Art- FEST

Covid Art Fest is a month and a half long event that gives our community the opportunity to express how they felt during the pandemic through art in a safe environment. A bilingual and culturally aware counselor was there to facilitate the session, to guide people through their emotions and learn more about mental health.

During the pandemic, many struggled with their mental health. We heard stories of our community members’ experiences involving anxiety, depression, loneliness or stress. Covid Art Fest was designed as an outlet for the community to process their feelings and as an excuse to get out of their homes for a moment and socialize with other community members. In the Latinx community, mental health is still considered a taboo subject and, through this event, we are trying to raise awareness about overall wellness. We chose art as an outlet because you don’t have to know a certain language or be a certain age. When it comes to art there are no limitations.

Through Covid Art Fest we deliver information to the community about mental health and Covid-19. Regarding Covid-19, we have formed a relationship with MDHHS and the Kent County Health Department to provide a mobile Covid-19 vaccination clinic during the events. In addition to the clinic being there, we also provided updated information on the Covid-19 vaccine. In addition, we had a partnership with Clear Focus who provided bilingual mental health workshops for everyone. Anyone could participate as we provided the art materials. Each participant received a goodie bag with art supplies to continue expressing themselves through art at home.

On July 27th we had our launch date with just over 30 people participating in the event and 20 people vaccinated. In the month of August, we went to Buchanan Elementary School to bring the event to them and hosted another session here at the Hispanic Center. September 9 was the closing of the event with an exhibition of the participants’ artwork. We announced the winners by age category and presented the prizes. In addition, we had games, Covid-19 vaccination clinic, food and a representative from Clear Focus to talk about mental health.