The number of Covid-19 cases in Arkansas is going up very fast and the Delta variant is putting younger and healthier people in the hospital. This is a dangerous virus and it can cause serious health problems and even death.
The vaccine helps prevent you from getting Covid-19. Some people who are vaccinated do still get the virus, but they are much less likely to have serious complications or to be hospitalized. Almost all the people hospitalized in Arkansas right now with Covid-19 are unvaccinated.
There is a free, easy, and safe way to protect yourself from Covid-19. Right now, anyone who is 12 or older can get a Covid-19 vaccine at no cost to themselves.
Arkansas Medicaid covers the cost of the vaccine for Medicaid clients. You will be asked for your Medicaid card, but you will not be required to pay anything for the vaccine. Medicaid patients can also get FREE transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year.
Getting vaccinated is the best option to protect yourself from the virus.
Call Healthy Connections at 888-710-8220 to schedule your vaccination appointment.
If you need a ride to get vaccinated, Arkansas Medicaid provides clients non-emergency transportation by calling 888-987-1200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get vaccinated?
Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are offering the Covid-19 vaccine. Visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find a clinic near you. Or call 888-710-8220.
Why should I get the Covid-19 vaccine?
Rigorous studies have found the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and effective. Getting the vaccine will keep you healthy, and it represents the best option for returning to normal.
What are the side effects of Covid-19 vaccines?
Your arm may be sore, red or warm to touch after COVID-19 vaccine as with any vaccine. Fever, headache (a sign that your immune system is building up protection to COVID-19 disease), and muscle aches are common side effects of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
What about long-term side effects?
FDA and CDC are continuing to monitor for safety, to make sure even long-term side effects are identified. If a safety issue is detected, immediate action will take place to determine if the issue is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the best course of action.
Do I need a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and if so, when?
Yes. Healthy Connections is offering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The second dose is due no sooner than 28 days.
Who is recommended to receive a third dose?
CDC now recommends an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) for people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
If I have had 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine and have close contact with a positive case, do I need to quarantine?
suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
• Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Fully vaccinated persons who do not quarantine should still watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. If they experience symptoms, they should be clinically evaluated for COVID-19.
Also, vaccinated persons should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, following CDC travel guidance, and following any applicable workplace or school guidance, including guidance related to personal protective equipment use or SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine if I am pregnant?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) continue to recommend that the vaccine be available to pregnant individuals. There is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely.
Can I get the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time with flu vaccine or any other vaccine?
Yes, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines may be administered with routine vaccines simultaneously, on the same day, or at any interval.
Can the Covid-19 vaccine give someone with Covid-19 disease?
No, COVID-19 vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19 disease. They do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19.
In response to the Delta Variant of Covid-19 in our area, Healthy Connections is taking its testing and vaccination program on the road for three pop-up stops in August.
Non-profit Healthy Connections will offer Covid-19 testing and vaccinations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
- Monday, August 2: Healthy Connections Malvern, 900 Martin Luther King Blvd., Malvern
- Tuesday, August 3: Healthy Connections Hot Springs Central, 3604 Central Ave., Hot Springs
- Wednesday, August 4: Healthy Connections De Queen, 1206 W. Collin Raye Dr., De Queen
At these events, Healthy Connections staff will collect insurance information from patients. But the result will be both services being offered at no cost to patients. The test is the “simple test” that does not require a deep penetration of the nostrils for testing. Results from this test will be available in 3 to 5 days.
Learn more about Healthy Connections and the Covid-19 testing and vaccination program at www.gettestedfree.com.
As of July 28, the Arkansas Department of Health is reporting more than 15,000 active cases and more than 1,000 hospitalizations in the state of Arkansas.
Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are also testing and giving vaccinations. In addition to the “free” test, clinics also offer the Covid-19 Rapid Test. This is done for $60 (cash or credit card only) and results are available in as little as 15 minutes. Insurance is not filed on rapid tests. The regular (free) test and Covid-19 vaccines are also available at clinic locations. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments.
Last summer, Healthy Connections took its testing pop-ups to communities across southwest and central Arkansas. More than 5,000 tests were done at these pop-up events.
The Healthy Connections Community Health Network includes the primary care/family medicine clinics of Healthy Connections, Healthy Connections Specialty, Evolve Behavioral Health and Medication Management, and Health For Life Clinic.
Healthy Connections clinics are open, safe, healthy, and here for the communities they serve. The Healthy Connections community health network is a federally qualified health center (FQHC). Healthy Connections and Evolve Behavioral Health both accept Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare, and most private health insurance. There is also a sliding fee scale for patients without health insurance who qualify. Medicaid patients may be required to switch their primary care provider to Healthy Connections before they can be seen. Learn more about Healthy Connections at www.healthy-connections.org.
Healthy Connections Community Health Network is excited to announce we are openiDng a third Hot Springs clinic to better serve our patients.
The new clinic will open on Monday, July 26. It will be located at 208 McAuley Ct. – Suite B, on the campus of Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence. This new location will become our new home for Cardiology, Podiatry, and Evolve Behavioral Health Services and Medication Management.
This new location will be in addition to the two clinics currently being used in Hot Springs. The Hot Springs Central clinic at 3604 Central Ave., will continue to be the home for Primary Care/Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and more. The Hot Springs Chippewa clinic at 1723 Malvern Ave., will continue to be the home for dental and primary care/family medicine.
Keep checking www.healthy-connections.org/hotsprings for the latest updates on the move. We’ll give you an exact date as soon as we know for certain when that will be.
The newly renovated space on McAuley Court will give Healthy Connections additional space to ensure the quality care and comfort of our patients. Making the move to McAuley court will be podiatrist Dr. Richard Bennett.
Also at McAuley Court will be the entire staff of Evolve, which treats patients for behavioral health through individual, group, and family therapy, in addition to medication management. Providers moving to McAuley include Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Nicole Meggers, Heath Larner, and Tosha Honey, along with Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Sakinah Shaw.
All of our other providers will remain at their current location.
If you have questions or aren’t sure where to find your provider, please call us at 888-710-8220 and we’ll double-check to make sure you’re going to the right place.
The Healthy Connections Community Health Network now has the Covid-19 vaccine. We will be distributing it based on the needs in the communities we serve. If you need to be vaccinated, please visit www.healthy-connections.org/vaccine. There you can join our community-based waitlist. When demand gets high enough, we will schedule vaccine appointments based on this waitlist.
Or you can call 888-710-8220 to either join the waitlist or get more information.
As a part of our mission to make healthcare more accessible, most Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinic locations will be open on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021.
The following clinics will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
Clinics closed on Memorial Day:
Call 888-710-8220 for appointments.
Remember: your mental health is equally important as your physical health!!
Have you ever needed a mental break or stress reliever, but didn’t know what to do? Here are some of our favorite ways to calm our minds and de-stress!.
Digital Detox
Spending hours scrolling through social media can be detrimental to our mental health, even if we don’t realize it. Take a break from the mindless scrolling for the evening or day.
Practice mindfulness
Becoming more mindful allows us to become aware of where we are and what we’re doing, without becoming overwhelmed. Find a quiet spot where you can sit alone for just a few minutes. Follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and out. When you notice your mind has begun to wander, return your attention to your breathing.
Gratitude
It’s easy to go throughout the day focusing on the negatives rather than the positives. At the end of the day or week, reflect on the highs and positives you experienced. Keep a journal to write them in, or simply think about them as you drift off to sleep.
Self-care
Take a hot bath, go for a walk, cook your favorite dinner, or simply go outside for some fresh air. Be sure you are taking time to relax and nourish your mind.
Evolve Behavioral Health and Medication Management offers individual (adults and children), family, and group counseling at locations in Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs, Mount Ida, and Mena. Call 800-409-6250 for appointments. Visit www.evolvebhs.com for more information.
