According the the New York Times on February 27th, 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will end the statewide mask mandate in schools Wednesday, March 2nd.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams plans to lift pandemic measures in the city on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Recently, New York State announced the the states 7-day average positivity rate fell below 2%, and fewer than 2,000 hospitalizations. The state is now reporting an average of about 2,400 new coronavirus cases a day, significantly down from the the peak of more than 74,000 a day in mid-January.
A total of 400 million masks from the Strategic National Stockpile will be shipped to pharmacies and community health centers enrolled in the nationwide Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
As of now, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid and other major chains are confirmed to be offering free masks in the coming weeks. Visit this page for additional updates and a list of NYC locations where you will be able to get your free masks as they become available.
As the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution constantly evolves, we are thinking of you and hope that you, your family, and your friends are staying safe and healthy.
The creation of these COVID-19 outreach materials was co-led by CACF and the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health with the advisement of a collective* of AAPI-serving community organizations in New York City, through a national project entitled Forging Asian and Pacific Islander Community Partnerships for Rapid Response to COVID-19. Translations are available in Arabic, Bengali, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Urdu, and Vietnamese. You can view translated versions here.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.
If these emergency warning signs for COVID-19 are noticed, please seek emergency medical care immediately. If you feel you may be sick, you can verify your symptoms using the CDC's Coronavirus Self-Checker. You may also need to be tested for COVID-19.
According to the Center for Disease Control, COVID-19 tests are available that can test for current infection or past infection.
You have multiple options for testing to see if you have contracted COVID-19.
All New York residents along with citizens nationwide can now visit covidtests.gov and click through to a Postal Service web page where they can order four tests per household, free of charge. This new government sponsored website was launched January 19th, 2022.
The video below provided by the CDC, explains how to use an At-Home test to get fast results.
Testing for COVID-19 is widely available throughout New York State. Individuals who have questions about COVID-19 testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit this page on the NYSDOH website to find locations.
The CDC also provides guides that you can download on how to properly collect your sample for an At-Home Test. These instructions are available in both English and Español translations.
Fact: No, the vaccines absolutely do not contain microchips. They do not contain any kind of electronic component. All vaccines are developed to protect against disease, not track your movement or activity by any means. Vaccines are meant to boost your immune system by producing antibodies, which is what would happen if you were exposed to the disease. With vaccines, you become immune to the disease, without having to get sick first.
Fact: Some people believe the vaccines were developed too quickly to be safe for use. This is not true. In fact, the technology used to create the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is not new and has been around for some time. In fact, mRNA research is decades old and has been used for cancer treatments. The non-mRNA vaccine also uses extensively researched science, which uses a weakened adenovirus. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the FDA, and the Moderna vaccine has been approved for emergency use and recently submitted for approval from the FDA.
In regards to the clinical trials for the vaccines, these were also conducted with the same rigor used for all vaccine trials. The results of the trials were extensively reviewed and approved by numerous independent advisory panels. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed quickly due to increased collaboration, the use of new and old technology, and more funding.
Fact: This is a myth and not true. COVID-19 vaccines to do not change or affect your DNA in any kind of way. The way both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines work is that they deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to begin building protection again the virus that causes COVID-19. However, it's important to know that this material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where DNA is kept.
Fact: This is also not true. Getting vaccinated will not make you magnetic, including where you received the vaccination on your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not have any ingredients that would produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. Furthermore, none of the COVID-19 vaccines contain any kind of metal.
Fact: No, a COVID-19 vaccine will not cause you to get sick with COVID-19. None of the authorized vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This makes it impossible for you to get COVID-19 from the vaccine. However, when you get vaccinated you may experience some symptoms, such as fever. That's because the COVID-19 vaccines are teaching our immune system how to recognize and fight the virus. It's normal that you experience these symptoms and is an indicator that your body is building protection against the COVID-19 virus.
Fact: This is not true. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination will cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. There is also no evidence suggesting that vaccination affects male and female fertility. So, it is safe for anyone who wants to become pregnant now or in the future to get vaccinated.
Fact: No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines will cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to determine whether you have a current infection. However, you may test positive on some antibody tests if your body develops an immune response to vaccination. An antibody test helps determine if you had a previous infection of COVID-19 and that you might have some level of protection against the virus.
Fact: This is not true. Authorized COVID-19 vaccines had tens of thousands of participants in their clinical trials. Participants were then followed for two months after receiving the second dose, which is common practice with vaccine trials.
Fact: Just because you were infected with the COVID-19 virus does not protect you from getting reinfected--even after being very ill with COVID-19. The CDC recommends that someone recovering from COVID-19 should get the COVID-19 vaccine 90 days after being infected.
Fact: Every authorized COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. There is no preference, and the goal is to have everyone vaccinated. Additionally, if you wait for some other vaccine to be developed, you could risk getting infected with COVID-19 in the meantime. It's important to get vaccinated for your health and the health of those around you.
Fact: Actually, we do know what are in COVID-19 vaccines, because scientists created them. In fact, the technology used to make the vaccines is not new. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which have been used for decades now.
For example, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contains the following ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 200 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
You can read what ingredients are in each vaccine here.
Fact: This is absolutely untrue. Fetal tissue was not used, ever, to create the COVID-19 vaccines.
Fact: While some vaccine clinical trial participants reported side effects similar to those experienced with other vaccines, a severe allergic reaction is extremely rare. After getting the vaccine, some people report some short-term symptoms like muscle pain, chills, fever, and headache. These are indicators that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and working to protect you.
It's possible some people can have a severe allergic reaction to some of the ingredients used in a vaccine. As such, experts recommend anyone with a history of severe allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis, should not get the vaccine.
Fact: Anyone with a suppressed immune system or has underlying health conditions should definitely get vaccinated since they are at a higher risk of becoming very ill from COVID-19. Again, the vaccine does not contain a live virus and is meant to help your immune system learn how to protect against the virus. If you have concerns about any underlying conditions you have, such as diabetes or heart disease, be sure to reach out to your doctor.
Fact: This is not true. Not only is the vaccine free to everyone, but no ID is required to get the vaccine. You also will not be asked about your immigration status.
The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.
Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Currently available data does not show that Ivermectin is effective against COVID-19.
Fact: Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous. If your health care provider writes you an ivermectin prescription, fill it through a legitimate source such as a pharmacy, and take it exactly as prescribed.
You can overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.
Fact: Ivermectin products for animals are different from Ivermectin products for people
Animal drugs are often highly concentrated because they are used for large animals like horses and cows, which weigh a lot more than we do—a ton or more. Such high doses can be highly toxic in humans.
Viruses are always changing, and that can cause a new variant, or strain, of a virus to form. Scientists around the world are tracking changes in the virus that causes COVID-19.
The Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is one of several known to infect humans. Experts call these strains SARS-CoV-2. As of today, there are two different variants of COVID-19 that are being publicly tracked.
First identified: South Africa
Spread: May spread more easily than other variants, including Delta.
Severe illness and death: Due to the small number of cases, the current severity of illness and death associated with this variant is unclear.
Vaccine: Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others. All FDA-approved or authorized vaccines are expected to be effective against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
Treatments: Some monoclonal antibody treatments may not be as effective against infection with Omicron.
First identified: India
Spread: Spreads more easily than other variants.
Severe illness and death: May cause more severe cases than the other variants
Vaccine: Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others. All FDA-approved or authorized vaccines are effective against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Treatments: Nearly all variants circulating in the United States respond to treatment with FDA-authorized monoclonal antibody treatments.
Please see the brief summary of available vaccines in the sections below. For more detailed information, please see the CDC's web page for vaccine ingredients, as well as FDA approval and authorizations for use. Apicha Community Health Center currently offers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Please feel free to request a vaccine appointment here.
The Moderna vaccine is recommended for people ages 18 years and older.
Number of Shots: 2 shots, 28 days apart
Moderately to severely immunocompromised people should get an additional primary shot (third dose) at least 28 days after their second shot.
Booster Shot: People ages 18 years and older who received a Moderna primary series should get a booster shot at least 6 months after completing their primary series. You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States for your booster shot.
How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is recommended for people ages 18 years and older.
Number of Shots: 1 shot
Booster Shot: At least 2 months after receiving your vaccine. You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States for your booster shot. People who developed thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after their initial Janssen vaccine should not receive a Janssen booster dose.
How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (COMIRNATY) is recommended for people ages 5 years and older.
Number of Shots: 2 shots, 21 days apart
Moderately to severely immunocompromised people should get an additional shot (3rd dose) at least 28 days after their 2nd shot.
Booster Shot: Some groups of people are recommended to get a booster shot at least 6 months after getting their second shot. You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States for your booster shot.
How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm.
Apicha Community Health Center is now offering COVID-19 booster shots (3rd dose) to individuals who qualify. Currently, the CDC recommends the following guidance:
You are eligible for a booster if you are:
You are eligible for a booster if you are:
You are eligible for a booster if you are:
If you meet the criteria above, call Apicha at 212-334-6029 to schedule your third dose, or simply request an appointment online. You can also attend any one of our community vaccination events.
After you are scheduled for the vaccine, you will be asked to self-attest on the New York State COVID Vaccine Form https://forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine. Proof of self-attestation will be required.
You can also visit any one of our upcoming vaccination events, hosted in your neighborhood with the support of our local NYC partner organizations.
To stay up to date on the latest statical data for COVID-19 in New York City, visit Google News.
With COVID-19 infection rates dropping, Gov. Kathy Hochul has indicated that the state-wide mask mandate should expire as planned this week, on February 10th. However, New York City has just expanded its vaccination requirement to include children between the ages of 5 and 11. Parents will now be required to show proof of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to their children in order to enter some businesses.
Finally, Mayor Eric Adams announced last week that the city will begin offering free same-day at-home delivery of antiviral COVID pill treatments with the goal of continuing the fight against COVID as soon as symptoms are first detected. Both the antiviral pills and monoclonal treatment require a doctor’s prescription.
As of Wednesday, January, 19th, 2022, The Biden administration is expected to announce plans to make 400 million N95 masks available free at pharmacies and community health centers across the country. Visit this page for more information as to when and where you will be able to receive free N95 Masks to help prevent against the spread of the Omicron Variant.
On December 6th, 2021, former mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all private sector employers in New York City will now be required to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate by December 27. According to NYC.gov, all individuals who work in the city will now be subject to this vaccine mandate.
This mandate entitled as the "Key to NYC" program set forth in Emergency Executive Order No. 317, dated December 15, 2021, and most recently extended by Emergency Executive Order No. 334, issued by Mayor Eric L. Adams and dated December 30, 2021, shall remain in effect.
According to NYC.gov, COVID-19 vaccination proof requirements have expanded to include younger children and to require full vaccination:
People ages 5 to 12 are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and people 12 and older must show proof of two doses (except for Johnson & Johnson recipients), for:
People 18 and older are also required to show identification along with their proof of vaccination. These requirements — called the Key to NYC — also means employees working at these locations must be vaccinated.
You can learn more about private sector Workplace vaccination requirements here.Apicha Community Health Center has a long-standing commitment to providing health care LGBTQ communities and communities of color in New York City. Your safety is our highest priority. During this global COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to giving you a safe, reliable place to receive care is vital to our mission.
Guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our staff at Apicha has taken a number of steps in addition to our standard infection control measures to ensure our clinic remains safe for you to confidently receive health care.
For some of our patients, in-person appointments are necessary. Each patient’s individual circumstances will be evaluated by their provider, in order to determine whether that patient should be seen via an in-person, or if their care requirements can be met via Telehealth visits.
Our current visitor policy restricts visitors who may accompany patients during their scheduled in-person visit. Our goal with this policy is to reduce the number of people in our clinic and minimize the risk of exposure of COVID-19 between patients, visitors and staff. We understand this can be difficult and appreciate your understanding.
Masks for Staff: All staff wear are required to wear masks at all times. The type of mask staff members wear is determined by the type of care they provide, in order to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of our patients.
Masks for Patients: All patients, visitors and vendors are required to wear a mask while in our clinic. If you need a fresh mask, we would be happy to provide you with one.
Screening for COVID-19 Symptoms: We screen all patients and visitors for COVID-19 Symptoms. We also have a COVID-19 Screening Protocol for staff.
Our staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Common Areas: Waiting rooms, lobbies and restrooms are cleaned by our staff often, with special attention paid to frequently touched surfaces including doorknobs, armrests and handrails.
COVID-19 are spread in 3 primary ways. These include:
People who are at most risk for severe illness are people who are over 50 years old or who have other health conditions, including chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system. People with regular close contact with someone who has or could have COVID-19 are also at higher risk. This includes people who live in the same home, caretakers who work in the home or sexual partners.
In response to concerns of access barriers some patients face regarding documentation requests prior to receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and individuals inappropriately being sent bills for COVID-19 vaccine fees, HRSA created fact sheets to help patients and providers better understand their rights and responsibilities regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are free to anyone living in the U.S.
Yes, this page published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can help you find a provider.
If you have lost your health insurance due to layoffs, we can help you explore options available to you. Please call us at 212-334-6029 and we will connect you with our health insurance staff or your case manager.
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400 Broadway New York, NY 10013
82-11 37th Avenue,
Jackson Heights-Queens, NY 11372