COVID-19 Vaccine

Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly called COVID-19, is the name of the disease caused by the virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 also know as SARS-CoV-2.  The first case was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.  The virus is contagious and quickly spread around the world.  The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020.  To learn more about COVID-19, click here.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Several COVID-19 vaccinations are being developed.  Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently being distributed in the United States.  We will begin administering the vaccination once it becomes available to Celebration Family Physicians.

If most people receive the vaccination, the virus will stop spreading so quickly.  When enough people are immune from the disease either from receiving the vaccine or recovering from the disease, it provides indirect protection to those who are not immune to the disease. This is referred to as “herd immunity”.  Examples of diseases that were once common but now rare in the United States because of vaccines achieving herd immunity are measles, polio and chickenpox.  The pandemic will end when we achieve “herd immunity”. It would be almost impossible achieve this without a vaccine or allowing a lot of people to get infected (some getting seriously ill and/or dying).

After you receive the vaccine, it will still be important to practice social distancing, wearing a face mask in public and hand washing for now.  The vaccine is not 100% effective.

It is important to get the flu vaccine with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  The flu and coronavirus can cause similar symptoms.  Preventing the flu and reducing severity of symptoms can lessen the number of people needing to stay in the hospital.

Where can an individual included in Executive Order 20-315 receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

Please see the table below which contains designated general vaccine providers.  We will administer the vaccination once it becomes available to us.

Eligible Populations Able to Receive Vaccine Under Executive Order 20-315
Primary Vaccine Providers
Additional Vaccine Providers
Long-term care facility residents and staff
CVS and Walgreens
Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Emergency Management
Persons 65 years of age and older
County health departments
Hospitals and other community health care providers, including a federally qualified health center (FQHC)
Health care personnel with direct patient contact
Hospitals and COVID-19 vaccine providers
County health departments and other community providers, including a FQHC
Hospital providers

Happy Holidays and Practicing Safety

Happy Holidays Everyone!  We wish you a warm and cozy Christmas!  For many of us, this is a special and favorite time of year.  Even though it has been a challenging year, we have so much to be grateful for.

 

Our holiday celebrations might look a little different this year.  The safest way to celebrate is at home with the people you live with and avoiding large gatherings.  If you are hosting or attending a small gathering with family and friends, consider some of these suggestions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19:

  • Celebrate virtually
  • Keep the celebration within your household
  • Limit the number of guests
  • Avoid direct contact (i.e. handshaking, hugs) from different households
  • Ask guests to avoid contact with people outside of their household at least 14 days before the gathering
  • Host the gathering outdoors (avoid indoor or poorly ventilated spaces); if indoors, open windows and doors weather permitting
  • Shorten the duration of the gathering; a cumulative total exposure of 15 minutes or greater increases the risk of transmission
  • Practice social distancing (at least 6 feet apart)
  • Wear masks when not eating or drinking
  • Frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds, especially after eating
  • Have hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol readily available
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces
  • Stock your bathroom with soap and single use towels
  • Limit commonly touched surfaces like serving utensils; consider one person to serve food and/or individually packaged items
  • Offer no-touch trash cans
  • Avoid letting pets interact with guests outside of the household
  • Avoid gatherings in communities with a high or increasing levels of COVID-19
  • Consider the location of where guests are traveling from  as well as the mode of travel (i.e. flying) that may increase the risk of transmission
  • Do not host or attend gatherings if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19, may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, waiting for results, older or immunocompromised, or diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not completed their quarantine period (usually between 10 to 20 days from when symptoms first appeared)

Christmas Eve

Premier Doctor Recognition

I am so incredibly honored with this recognition through the kind regards of my fellow colleagues.  Thank you to The Orlando Magazine for featuring the physicians in our community.

Thank you to all physicians and medical professionals who have served and continue to serve when the world needed you the most.  You have risen to the challenges and continue to fight something bigger than all of us.  You are our strength.


Click here to read the article in the Orlando Magazine Annual Doctor’s Issue for 2020. 


Click here to read the article in the Orlando Style Magazine featuring Dr. Yunk as one of the Doctor’s of the Year for 2021.  

Prevent the FLU from Happening to YOU

It’s more important than ever to get your flu vaccine this year.

 

Here’s why:

  • The flu shot is your best defense against the flu.
  • Prevents you from getting the flu, reduces the duration and severity of illness, and prevents complications.
  • Reduces the risk of flu- associated hospitalization.
  • Protects you, your love ones and the people around you.

 

To learn more about the flu, click here.

To view Celebration Family Physician Vaccination Schedule, click here.

Meet Our New Provider – Michelle!

Michelle De Marco, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in Family Medicine, with a strong background in clinical treatment of pediatric and adult patients. She received a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Finance from University of Central Florida. She completed her physician assistant training at Nova Southeastern University and graduated with a Master of Medical Science.  Michelle is fluent in English and Spanish. She has a passion for taking care of others and prides herself in delivering excellent care to her patients. In her leisure time, Michelle enjoys travel, good food, and frequenting the theme parks.

 

Please join me in welcoming Michelle to Celebration Family Physicians!