A Note From the Author 

This book is dedicated to the many brave women of color who worked tirelessly to combat the COVID-19 Virus and create a vaccine. Thank you for all of your hard work.   

    Joelle was a happy and curious 11-year-old girl.  She was always intrigued by science, but she had a bigger space in her heart for medicine and healthcare.  

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Her love for science came from her mother Miranda, who worked in the lab as a scientist making medicines.

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 One day Joelle's mom began working in the lab to create a vaccine against a disease called Coronavirus or COVID-19.   

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    Joelle was curious about the new virus causing panic. She asked her mom what she could do to limit the spread of the disease. 

Wear a mask, wash your hands, and socially distance six feet away from others.

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Although Joelle learned how to limit the spread of COVID-19, she was still confused about why the virus was bad.  

The Corona Virus is a germ that can make you and others sick.

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    In addition to taking health precautions, Joelle learned that everyone can help stop the spread of the virus by taking the COVID-19 Vaccine. 

If we all take the COVID-19 Vaccine, it can help limit the spread of the virus, which could save lives!

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  Joelle was happy the vaccine could help save lives, but she was worried about what the side effects of the vaccine were.

Can I get sick from taking the vaccine?

Since the vaccine will be injected into the muscle, your arm may feel sore afterward. Also, you may experience a fever, chills, or tiredness. But even after you receive the vaccine, you still must wear a mask and socially distance yourself from others.       

Icons by Leremy Gan 

But don't worry. This is just your body's way of developing a defense system to fight off the virus. 

One type of the COVID-19 vaccine is the mRNA Vaccine. This type of vaccine is made with protein materials that instruct our cells how to make antibodies to fight the virus. 

CDC Source A

When in the body, the mRNA enters the cell's nucleus then begins to make antibodies to fight against the virus. This is the most common type of COVID-19 Vaccine. 

CDC Source A

Another way the COVID-19 Vaccine is made is through the use of an inactive version of a virus. 

CDC Source A

This type of vaccine is called the Viral Vector Vaccine. A vector is a harmless modified version of a different virus. The virus enters your cells and helps create proteins that fight the virus that can make you sick.

CDC Source A

Again, it is also important to emphasize that these vaccines can not give you the COVID-19 disease, nor will they change your DNA or genetic make-up.

CDC Source B

Icon by Leremy Gan 

If a person does test positive after taking the vaccine, it could mean they came in contact with the virus before their body could make enough antibodies for immune cells to fight off the infection. 

CDC Source C  

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