So you want to have a hot girl summer? Here’s a quick guide for you. 

Step 1. Consider getting your COVID vaccine. 

We’ve been in a pandemic for over a year now and medical researchers have been hard at work coming up with a vaccine to fight the coronavirus. There are currently three different vaccines being offered: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. 

You may be wondering, “What’s the difference between them?” 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the Pfizer vaccine offers 95% effectiveness of fighting the virus in addition to “greater than 89% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms”. The Moderna vaccine is 94% effective in fighting COVID, and greater than 90% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity. And lastly, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66% effective in fighting COVID but 85% effective in fighting COVID with severe illness. 

Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines and require 2 rounds of the shot while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-and-done type of vaccine. 

People aged 16 and older are encouraged to get the Pfizer vaccine and if you’re 18 or older you can get the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

There are possible side effects for any of the vaccines such as injection site pain, nausea, headache, muscle/joint pain, chills, as well as additional side effects not listed. 

Now that you know the basics, here’s where the vaccine is available. The vaccines are available all across Texas and anyone over the age of 16 is now eligible to receive the shot. There is no cost associated with the vaccine.

Tarrant County vaccine locations include Farrington Field, Fiesta, CVS Pharmacy, Mount Olive Baptist Church, Hurst Conference Center, Arlington Fire Department, and countless other locations. The vaccine is also offered in all surrounding counties and Fairpark in Dallas is currently offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine with a simple online registration. Below are some links to register for the COVID vaccine and websites with additional information about the vaccine and where to get it. 

https://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/public-health/disease-control—prevention/COVID-19/COVID-19-Vaccine.html

https://dallas-county.quickscreen.health/dallas-co#/screening

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html

The CDC states that after you’ve been fully vaccinated you can gather in crowds outside without wearing a mask, and if you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. 

Getting the vaccine is a personal choice and no one is required to do so, however the more people that get vaccinated, hopefully the sooner ‘normal life’ will return. In the meantime, keep wearing your mask and do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Hot girl summer is approaching, so get vaxxed and ready for it!