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Healthy Connections
My Kids Pediatric Clinic

CALL US: 888.710.8220

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Evolve Behavioral Health Services
Healthy Connections
My Kids Pediatric Clinic

CALL US: 888.710.8220

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine on Same Day? Yes

Healthy Connections Community Health Network is making it easier to protect yourself this fall and winter by offering Covid-19 vaccines (1st dose, 2nd dose, and Booster) and seasonal flu vaccines at its clinic locations.

It is safe to receive both the Covid-19 vaccine and flu vaccine in the same visit, allowing patients to accomplish both in just one office visit. Call 888-710-8220 to schedule an appointment. Find a clinic near you by visiting www.healthy-connections.org/locations.

Call 888-710-8220

The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 12 years and older for the prevention of Covid-19 in the United States. The Moderna vaccine, which is available at Healthy Connections, is effective against SARS-CoV-2 infections, including asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, severe disease, and death. The Moderna vaccine is available to patients who are at least 18 years old.

The CDC reports that available evidence suggests that these vaccines offer protection against known variants, including the Delta variant, particu8larly against hospitalization and death.

Moderna “booster” shots are currently recommended to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Eventually, these booster shots will be available to the rest of the population.

Flu vaccines are also now available at Healthy Connections. The flu vaccine for 2021-2022 will be a quadrivalent (four-component), designed to protect against four different flu viruses. It can be given at the same time as the Covid-19 vaccine.

Call 888-710-8220 for a vaccine appointment today.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
How bad will the 2021-2022 flu season be?

There are a lot of variables that could impact the severity of the flu season. Last year, with masking, social distancing, and other measures being taken because of the Covid-19 pandemic, flu numbers were down from previous years. But with fewer masks being worn, less social distancing, and more return to group gatherings, the 2021-2022 flu season could be very severe.

When is the best time to get my flu vaccine?

September and October are generally considered good times to be vaccinated. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

When is the best time to get my Covid-19 vaccine?

Now. The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is administered in two doses, four weeks apart.

Why should I get my Covid-19 vaccine?

Rigorous studies have found the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to be safe and effective. Getting the vaccine will keep you healthy, and it represents the best option for returning life to normal.

Can I get the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine on the same day?

Yes.

Where can I get my vaccine?

Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are offering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and the 2021-2022 flu vaccine. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments or visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find a clinic near you.

Is there free transportation?

Medicaid patients are eligible for free transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year. Click these links to learn more:

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Are Covid-19 booster shots being given?

Yes. Patients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can receive their booster shot. Approval is expected soon for others to be eligible.

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If we need a booster dose, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?

No. Covid-19 vaccines are working very well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, with the Delta variant, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. For that reason, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for a booster shot so vaccinated people maintain protection over the coming months.

What’s the difference between a booster dose and an additional dose?

Sometimes people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, getting another dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. This appears to be the case for some immunocompromised people and COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommends moderately to severely immunocompromised people consider receiving an additional (third) dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. In contrast, a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity). HHS has developed a plan to begin offering COVID-19 booster shots to people this fall. Implementation of the plan is subject to FDA’s authorization and ACIP’s recommendation.

Be a #VaccineMVP, Get Vaccinated Today

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.

How can Medicaid patients get free transportation?

You can get FREE transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year.

English | Español

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.

Covid-19 Vaccine Available

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.

 

Masks Required at Clinics

For the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff, the Healthy Connections Community Health Network will continue to require masks in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.

Thank you for your cooperation.

HCI, Calandro Finalists for Arkansas Business of the Year Awards

Healthy Connections, Inc., and CEO Tony Calandro have been named finalists in the Arkansas Business 33rd Annual Business of the Year awards.

Healthy Connections, Inc., is a finalist for Nonprofit Organization of the Year, while Calandro is a finalist for Nonprofit Executive of the Year. The winners of each category will be revealed at the awards ceremony on March 3, 2021. Finalists were selected by an outside panel of judges and coordinated by Arkansas Business. Thirty-two finalists are selected from across the state in seven categories. See the complete list of finalists at www.ArkansasBusiness.com/ABOY.

Read the story about Healthy Connections, Inc., in Arkansas Business by clicking this link: https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/events/3/arkansas-business-of-the-year/honorees/792/healthy-connections-inc

Read the story about Calandro in Arkansas Business by clicking this link: https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/events/3/arkansas-business-of-the-year/honorees/795/tony-calandro

Healthy Connections is a Mena-based nonprofit community health network with clinic locations in Mena, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Mount Ida, and De Queen. Since its founding as a home-visiting program in 1998, Healthy Connections has been able to provide much-needed health, dental, behavioral health, and social services to families of every lifestyle.

Learn more about Healthy Connections at www.healthy-connections.org.

 

National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month. This observance brings together dental and healthcare professionals to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teaches, and many others.

Healthy Connections offers dental services for both children and adults at our Community Health Network clinics in Mena (136 Health Park Lane) and Hot Springs (1723 Malvern Ave. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments. Visit www.healthy-connections.org/teeth for more info.

It quite possible many parents will have a common refrain at dinnertime tonight: “You’d better eat that. It’s good for you.”

But there’s another old favorite in the parental arsenal of dietary admonitions: “Don’t eat that. It’ll rot your teeth.”

Now more than ever, children are faced with a bewildering array of food choices – from fresh produce to sugar-laden processed convenience meals and snack foods. What children eat and when they eat it may affect not only their general health but also their oral health.

Americans are consuming foods and drink high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before. It’s clear that junk foods and drinks gradually have replaced nutritious beverages and foods for many people. For example, in the U.S., on average, individuals consume approximately 50 gallons of sugary beverages per year! Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.

Common activities may contribute to the tendency toward tooth decay. These include – grazing habitually on foods with minimal nutritional value, and frequently sipping on sugary drinks. Consuming too much sugar can also affect your overall health, such as becoming overweight/obese, or getting heart disease or Type 2 diabetes.

When sugar is consumed over and over again in large, often hidden amounts, the harmful effect on teeth can be dramatic. Sugar on teeth provides food for bacteria, which produce acid. The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth. Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets.

Many of these foods contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars and starches. Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your children.

Reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay:

  • Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
  • Limit between-meal snacks. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.
  • If your children chew gum, make it sugarless.
  • Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.
  • Monitor beverage consumption. Children should make healthy beverage choices such as water and low-fat milk.
  • Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.
  • Schedule regular dental visits. Call 888-710-8220 to schedule appointments with the Healthy Connections Community Health Network. We offer dental services in both Mena and Hot Springs.