The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine. What are some key reasons to get a flu vaccine? Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. Flu vaccination also is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions. For example flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among in people with heart disease. Vaccinating pregnant women helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and also has been shown to help protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, before the baby can be vaccinated. A 2017 study showed that flu vaccine can be life-saving in children. While some people who get vaccinated still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness. Why is it important to get a flu vaccine EVERY year? Flu viruses are constantly changing, so flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests will be common during the upcoming flu season. Your protection from a flu vaccine declines over time. Yearly vaccination is needed for the best protection Is the flu vaccine safe? Flu vaccines have a good safety record. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years. Extensive research supports the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. Each year, CDC works with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other partners to ensure the highest safety standards for flu vaccines. More information about the safety of flu vaccines is available at www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccinesafety.htm. What are the side effects of flu vaccines? Flu shots: Flu shots are made using killed flu viruses (for inactivated vaccines), or without flu virus at all (for the recombinant vaccine). So, you cannot get flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. If these problems occur, they are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. Almost all people who receive flu vaccine have no serious problems from it. When and Where to get vaccinated? You should get a flu vaccine by the end of October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout flu season, even in January or later. North Hills Family Medicine is offering flu shots Monday-Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm. Flu vaccine is available in many other locations, including health departments, pharmacies, urgent care clinics, health centers, and travel clinics. Vaccines may also be offered at your school, college health center, or workplace. Visit: www.vaccinefinder.org at to find a flu vaccination clinic near you. What kinds of flu vaccines are recommended? There are…

Everyone 18 years and older is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. According to the latest CDC guidance, some groups should get a booster, and some groups may get a booster based on assessment of their individual risks and benefits. CDC recommendations on booster doses are based on the latest data with the goal of ensuring that people have optimal protection against COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death. People who should get a booster: All Johnson & Johnson recipients age 18 and older, at least 2 months after initial shot All Moderna and Pfizer recipients age 50 and older, at least 6 months after second shot All residents age 18 and older in long-term care settings People who may get a booster:  All adults age 18 and older, at least 6 months after completing their primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The CDC’s clinical guidance advises people to get the same booster as their initial vaccine, but allows people to mix and match (i.e. get a different COVID-19 booster than their initial vaccine) depending on availability or if they choose to. The vaccines work. The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, including against the delta variant. CDC data show that in August 2021, the risk of dying from COVID-19 in the U.S. was more than 11 times greater for unvaccinated people than for fully vaccinated people. However, scientists are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease, especially among certain populations. This waning of the efficacy of the vaccine is the reason for the new guidance on booster doses. With cases of COVID-19 still high across the United States and increasing in some parts of the country, the latest CDC recommendations on booster doses help to ensure more people across the U.S. are better protected against COVID-19. So does this mean people will need a COVID-19 booster every six months? At this point we don’t know if additional booster doses, beyond the now recommended or available third dose, will be needed. Booster doses are common for many vaccines. The scientists and medical experts who developed the COVID-19 vaccines will continue to closely watch for signs of waning immunity, how well the vaccines protect against new mutations of the virus, and how that data differ across age groups and risk factors. It is possible that the current booster dose could result in long lasting immunity or alternatively that additional booster doses might be needed in the future, and scientists will be carefully monitoring that issue.

Living through a pandemic is hard. Public health actions, such as staying 6 feet apart from other people, avoiding crowds, and avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. But they can make you feel lonely, increasing your stress and anxiety. Stress can cause the following: Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests Difficulty concentrating and making decisions Difficulty sleeping or nightmares Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes Worsening of chronic health problems Worsening of mental health conditions Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are ways that you can help yourself, others, and your community manage stress. HEALTHY TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS Take a News Break It’s good to stay informed of what’s going on in your community and the world. But constantly hearing about the pandemic can cause you stress. Try to limit watching, reading, or listening to news stories to once a day Take a Physical Break Take a few minutes to unwind by doing activities you enjoy, such as listening to music or gardening. Take deep breaths and stretch to relieve stress and tension. Meditation can help you relax and calm down. It can also improve your mood. Meditation commonly involves: Getting into a comfortable position (such as sitting or lying down) in a quiet room or place where you won’t be distracted Focusing your attention, such as on a specially chosen word or set of words, an object, or the sensations of the breath Keeping an open attitude by letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them. Take Care of Your Health Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Don’t drink too much alcohol. Also avoid tobacco products and substance use. Substance use includes using illegal drugs and the improper or unhealthy use of a prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Make time to unwind for the day and get plenty of sleep Continue with routine preventive measures that your health care provider recommends, such as vaccinations and cancer screenings. Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s your turn. STAYING CONNECTED Being in a pandemic doesn’t mean you have to disconnect from people. There are ways for you to still safely connect with your community: You can connect online, through social media, or by phone or mail. It’s also safe to meet people outdoors while wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from one another, and avoiding crowds. Get Interactive Talk often with friends and family whether through a phone call or a video chat app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Google Duo. You can find instructions on how to use these technologies on the Internet. Type "how to use ________" in an internet search engine like Google. Join an interactive online discussion group or book club. Or watch livestreams that are interesting to you that have live chats where you can talk directly…

Vaccine Safety Why should I get vaccinated for COVID-19? COVID-19 can cause serious illness or even death. There’s no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you, putting their lives at risk. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine greatly reduces the risk that you’ll develop COVID- 19. The vaccines prevent nearly 100% of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. Tens of millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and all COVID vaccines will continue to be monitored for safety. Serious health effects from vaccines are very rare. It’s highly unlikely that COVID-19 vaccines will cause long-term health problems. Also, there is no evidence at all that they will cause infertility or cancer. Your risk for serious health problems is much lower from the vaccine than your risk if you’re unvaccinated and get COVID-19. COVID-19 can leave you with heart and lung damage and other conditions that require long-term treatment. Vaccines are much safer paths to immunity than the disease itself. How can COVID-19 vaccines be safe since they were developed so fast? Safe COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly through the use of a century of vaccine experience; technology that was new to vaccines but had been studied for two decades; a coronavirus vaccine already in development at the National Institutes of Health; and tens of thousands of volunteers for clinical trials that enabled rapid accumulation of data on safety and effectiveness. Simultaneous vaccine production and analysis of testing data also allowed vaccines to be shipped within days of FDA authorization. Will the shot hurt or make me sick? No. Some people might get sore muscles, feel tired, or have mild fever after getting the vaccine, but most people report only a sore arm where they got the shot. These reactions mean the vaccine is working to help teach your body how to fight COVID-19 if you are exposed. For most people, these side effects will go away on their own in a few days. If you have any concerns, call your doctor or nurse. Can the vaccine give me COVID-19? You can’t get COVID-19 from any of the COVID-19 vaccines in use or being tested in the United States because none of them contains the live virus that causes the disease. Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day? Yes. People who want to get pregnant in the future can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts believe that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to a person trying to become pregnant in the short or long term. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe for people who are pregnant? Yes. If you’re pregnant, you may choose to be vaccinated when it’s available to you. There’s currently no…

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous disruption in each of our lives. North Hills Family Medicine cares deeply about your health and well-being. That’s why we encourage our patients to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Getting vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss. It is one of the most important things you can do to help protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease. Everyone 12 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Here are some of my answers to questions I’ve heard most often from patients: Why should I get vaccinated? COVID-19 can cause serious illness or even death. There’s no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to family, friends, and others around you. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us stop the pandemic and get back to normal. Are COVID-19 vaccines effective at preventing the disease? All COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at preventing the disease. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Over 100 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, and scientists are continuing to monitor their safety. Will the shot make me sick? Will I have side effects? You may have side effects after vaccination, but these are normal signs that your body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling in the arm where you got the shot, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. If you have these side effects, they should go away within a few days. Serious safety problems are rare. But if you are concerned about them, please contact the clinic. There are many places where you can get vaccinated, and it’s 100% free. You can Visit the Catalyst Health Network Vaccine Hub Visit TX DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Finder Visit vaccines.gov or www.vacunas.gov to find vaccines near you. Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) or 822862 (VACUNA), or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations. Call your local pharmacy or visit your local health department website.  

MYTH: I will have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine or I need to have insurance. FACT: No. All vaccines are free to the public under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). Any charges that are incurred for administration of the vaccine will be paid by your insurance company or the federal government’s Provider Relief Fund. Adapted from: UT Southwester Medical Center. MYTH: If I’ve already had COVID-19, I don’t need a vaccine. FACT: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 should still receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, we do not know how long natural immunity, or immunity from having COVID-19, will last and it is possible to be re-infected. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the immunity from the vaccine is better protection than the natural protection. Clinical trials will continue to monitor patients over the next 2 years, and we should have additional data in the next 6 months.  Adapted from: American Academy of Family Physicians and John Hopkins Medicine. MYTH: The vaccine research was rushed, so it cannot be safe or effective. FACT: There is a well-established testing and clinical trial process that must be followed for the FDA to consider approving a vaccine. No steps were rushed or skipped in the creation of the COVID-19 vaccines. Clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines were done with the same rigor applied to all vaccine trials, and the results were reviewed and approved by multiple independent advisory panels. Increased collaboration, use of new technology and more funding meant that vaccine developers could work quickly during this pandemic. For these COVID-19 vaccines, the research was performed concurrently, rather than consecutively, and the wait times for review of the research were substantially reduced through Operation Warp Speed, a federal program that invested in development and manufacturing of the vaccines.  Adapted from: John Hopkins Medicine and UT Southwester Medical Center. MYTH: Political factors influenced the vaccine authorization process. FACT: An independent board of experts reviewed the trial and testing data. Career scientists – not politicians – at the FDA review the clinical trial data after receiving the recommendation from the independent monitoring board. And all of the clinical trial information will also be published in peer-reviewed journals, so the process is transparent and verifiable.  Adapted from: UT Southwester Medical Center. MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccines contain a microchip. FACT: No, the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any microchip or any electric components. This false rumor started after comments about digital vaccine records. State electronic immunization records help patients and physicians track vaccines they have received. There are no electronic components in the vaccines. The mRNA, lipids (fat bubble), salts and other stabilizing agents are routinely used in other medicines.  Adapted from: American Academy of Family Physicians. MYTH: Getting the vaccine gives you COVID-19. FACT: The vaccine for COVID-19 cannot give you COVID-19. The vaccine for COVID-19 cannot and will not give you COVID-19. The two authorized mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to reproduce a protein that is part of the…

We are currently scheduling appointments for our COVID Vaccine Clinic! It is available to our patients as well as the public, ages 18 and up. To schedule an appointment, please CLICK HERE and complete the form. We will reach out to you via phone once you have been scheduled!

In light of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-34 lifting COVID-19 restrictions on businesses across the state, NHFM would like to reinforce the importance of masking and other safety measures. A mask/face covering is still required by everyone entering a North Hills Family Medicine office, even if a person is vaccinated. While we continue to be encouraged by declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, along with increasing the amount of those that are vaccinated, we cannot ease up now.  We must continue to follow the evidence-based practices that have kept Texans safe over the past year.  With new COVID-19 variants quickly spreading across our communities, masking up, social distancing, and practicing hand hygiene is all the more important to protect each other, help stop the spread and reduce transmission of these mutations. Thank you for understanding, and for doing your part in protecting our patients, families, and employees.

VACCINE APPOINTMENTS ARE CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY!  There is no waiting list at this time.  Please check with the local health department to find other providers offering COVID-19 nearby.  Feel free to check our website frequently if we are allocated more vaccines we will update everyone here!!   NHFM-NRH location is now offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.  We are serving phases 1a & 1b ONLY! If you are an existing patient please make sure you are registered for the patient portal.  SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST VIA THE PORTAL. IN ORDER TO SERVE YOU IN A CALMLY MANNER; DO NOT CALL THE CLINIC; SUBMIT ALL REQUEST VIA THE PATIENT PORTAL! If you are not an existing patient; Please create & register on the patient portal Choose Moderna Vaccine as Provider Schedule a time for vaccination Send a composed message with your insurance information to staff You will be required to show proof of your essential role.  Please bring a work badge with you to your appointment.

As the COVID-19 vaccines begin to be distributed, Texas has made guidelines of who will be vaccinated first and the projected timeline.  Currently, vaccines are in short supply, but as time passes, more and more will be widely available. Vaccine allocations are decided by federal and state agencies. We will be receiving our first shipment of the Moderna vaccine and begin vaccinating frontline workers. The initial supplies will be very limited as companies need to supply multiple hospitals, health systems and other organizations who will be vaccinating people. We are in regular contact with those agencies and will be ready as the situation unfolds and more supplies are available. Frontline healthcare workers are being prioritized by federal and state agencies to receive the vaccine. The most vulnerable patients will be vaccinated next, like those at skilled nursing facilities and those with certain high-risk health conditions. Determine which of the following categories you fall in to help estimate when you will be vaccinated. Who’s getting the vaccine first? Front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities are the first Texans to receive the vaccine, starting December. They are considered Phase 1A. Phase 1A: Health Care Workers Definition First Tier Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19. Such as but not limited to: Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.) Additional clinical staff providing supporting laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic and/or rehabilitation services Others having direct contact with patients or infectious materials Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents. Includes: Direct care providers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers Physicians, nurses, personal care assistants, custodial, food service staff. EMS providers who engage in 9-1-1 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport Home health care workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients Residents of long-term care facilities Second Tier Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients. Such as but not limited to: Physicians, nurses, and other support staff (custodial staff, etc.) Clinical staff providing diagnostic, laboratory, and/or rehabilitation services Non 9-1-1 transport for routine care Healthcare workers in corrections and detention facilities Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19. Includes: Embalmers and funeral home workers who have direct contact with decedents Medical examiners and other medical certifiers who have direct contact with decedents School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers Who’s getting the vaccine next and when? Phase 1B vaccine recipients will likely be able to get the vaccine starting in January 2021. These include people 65 years of age and older, and people over age 16…