Siletz Community Health Clinic
Flu Shot Access
In response to COVID-19, the clinic is unable to offer flu clinics in the area
offices. We hope to return to providing flu clinics next year but for now want to
do our part in keeping you safe.
2 ways to get your flu shot
At the Siletz Community Health Clinic or your primary care provider during
regular business hours
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Schedule an appointment
Drive through flu clinics @ SCHC – see left and watch for more info
Your Pequot card at your local pharmacy
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Alternative Health Care Benefit Changes
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Effective April 1, 2021, Tribal Council approved an increase to the alternate
health care benefit from $50 per visit to $75 per visit.
Available services include three visits quarterly for either: massage, chiro-
practor or acupuncture. Eligibility: Enrolled Tribal members
Pequot is accepted at all CVS network pharmacies that currently
accept your Pequot card.
You or your pharmacist can contact Pequot at 888-779-6638 if you
have any questions.
Using your Pequot card will not reduce your annual Pequot benefit
COMMON CONCERNS
Accurate information is critical to combat common myths and rumors
when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. It can be challenging to
know which sources of information you can trust. Before considering
vaccine information on the Internet, check that the data comes from a
credible source and is up to date. Take a look at a few of the common
concerns among Native youth and parents:
DOES IT AFFECT MY DNA?
Different types of vaccines offer protection
in different ways, but the COVID-19 vaccine
cannot affect your DNA. Both mRNA and viral
vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions
to our cells to start building protection against
the virus. However, the material never enters the
cell’s nucleus, which is where our DNA is kept.
DOES IT CAUSE
FERTILITY ISSUES?
There is currently no evidence that COVID-19
vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy,
including the development of the placenta.
Additionally, there is no evidence that female or
male fertility problems are a side effect of the
COVID-19 vaccine.
IS THE VACCINE SAFE
FOR NATIVE YOUTH?
BUT I’M YOUNG
AND HEALTHY!
Although fewer children have
been sick with COVID-19
than adults, all ages can still
be infected with the virus
and spread it to others. The
CDC recommends everyone
12 years and older get a
COVID-19 vaccine.
All COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S.
were tested in clinical studies with
thousands of people, including American
Indians and Alaska Natives. These studies
were done to ensure the vaccines meet
safety standards and protect people of
different ages, races, and ethnicities. All
authorized COVID-19 vaccines meet the
same safety standards as other vaccines
used in the U.S.
WILL THE VACCINE
ENLARGE MY HEART?
Based on the latest evidence,
myocarditis appears to be an
extremely rare side effect that
pales in comparison to the
potential risks of COVID-19
infection.
WILL THERE BE
LONG-TERM SIDE
EFFECTS?
WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY HAD
COVID-19 AND RECOVERED?
You should be vaccinated even if you’ve
already had COVID-19. Experts do not yet
know how long you are protected from
getting sick again after recovering. Even if
you have already recovered, it is possible
that you could be infected with the virus
again.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov
Side effects that cause long-term
health problems are extremely
unlikely after your COVID-19
vaccine. Vaccine monitoring has
historically shown that side effects
generally happen within six weeks
of receiving it. The Food and Drug
Administration required each
of the COVID-19 vaccines to be
studied for at least eight weeks
after the final dose, and millions
of people have been vaccinated
with no long-term side effects
detected.
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I Strengthen My Nation – Challenge
Programs through NPAIHB, NIDA
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in partnership with the Northwest
Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), through the We R Native program, is
hosting two challenge competitions to recognize the inherent strengths and resiliencies
of Indigenous people and culture that foster healthy communities and protect against
substance use.
Research has demonstrated that youth participation in substance misuse preven-
tion research yields community-specific prevention methods and materials, increasing
community awareness of substance misuse and solutions. The challenges ask youth
with knowledge of American Indian and/or Alaska Native culture (ages 14-25) to share
their ideas about resilience and how it can combat substance use.
Prizes will be awarded for two challenges:
•
Art Challenge: We invite youth to submit any original form of art and describe
how it depicts resilience against drug abuse to win $500 (individual submission)
or $1,000 (group submission). We will award approximately 25 prizes.
•
Community Project Intervention Challenge: We invite youth to develop plans for
a project they believe would augment resilience to substance abuse in communi-
ties, submitting to us a plan for the project and video description. Prizes for each
proposed project will be up to $10,000 (minimum award $2,000).
We R Native is a multimedia health resource for Native youth, by Native youth. The
service was designed using behavior change theory and extensive formative research
with AI/AN teens and young adults across the U.S.
We design our health messages to address the social, structural and environmental
stressors that influence adolescent health; with particular focus given to the prevention
of suicide, bullying, STDs, teen pregnancy, and drug and alcohol use.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to Dec. 10, 2021. For more infor-
mation, visit wernative.org/contest.
October 2021
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Siletz News
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