Student Health Services

COVID-19

COVID-19

Health Services encourages students who are not feeling well to stay home. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended that you take a COVID-19 test.

Free COVID-19 antigen tests and masks are available for FC Students and Staff at Health Services (Room 1204) Mon.-Fri. from 9 am-5 pm.

Updated August 21, 2023

COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms may appear between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Fatigue
  • Muscles or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomitting
  • Diarrhea

For more information on symptoms, please visit: CDC.gov/coronavirus

Masking & Exposure Resources

Masking:

Masking is recommended for 10 days for those that have had a significant exposure to someone positive for COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.

If you test positive and end isolation after 5 days (due to being symptoms free AND fever free for 24 hours without medication), you should continue to mask through day 10.

Exposure:

If you are exposed and test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others. For more information on current California COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidelines visit: covid19.ca.gov.

COVID-19 Testing

All FC Students and Staff can obtain FREE COVID-19 At-Home Tests at Health Services.

 

Other COVID-19 Testing Options:

For after-hours or off campus COVID-19 testing options, visit myturn.ca.gov/testing.
Government provided at-home antigen COVID-19 tests can be ordered here.

Vaccination Resources

Vaccines and boosters are available.

The latest COVID-19 booster is now available and no-cost through private insurance, including Medicare and Medical. Vaccination locations can be found on vaccines.gov. If you do not have insurance, you can receive a no-cost COVID-19 booster through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters?

The California Public Health Department recommends all people 6 months and older receive at least 1 bivalent dose. More information on COVID-19 vaccine timing can be found on the Vaccine Schedule Form.

Pfizer vaccine

Pfizer vaccine is a 3-dose bivalent COVID-19 vaccine series available for anyone 6 months and older. 

Moderna vaccine

The Moderna vaccine is a 2-dose bivalent COVID-19 vaccination available for everyone 6 months and older. 

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Johnson & Johnson vaccine is no longer available in the United States. For booster recommendations visit: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

Current COVID-19 vaccine booster dose recommendations can be found on the here: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses.

Where can I get more information about the COVID-19?

Here are a few great resources for more information about the COVID-19:

Center for Disease Control: Vaccines for COVID-19

California Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Treatments

California Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Data & Tools

California Department of Public Health: Get the Most Out of Masking: Tips & Resources

California Department of Public Health: Post-COVID Conditions

COVID-19 Fact Sheet for College Students

John Hopkins Medicine: What is Coronavirus?:

COVID-19 Testing

Where can I get a COVID-19 Test?

Fullerton College provides free, at home COVID-19 Antigen Tests to all members of the campus community.

The CDC Recommends COVID-19 tests for the following situations:

  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19. (Vaccinated or Unvaccinated) 
  • People that have been exposed to COVID-19 with no symptoms should take a COVID-19 at least 5 full days after exposure. 

Below are resources to get a COVID-19 Test: 

Fullerton College COVID-19 Testing

Orange County Health Care Agency: OC COVID-19 Testing Network

Have COVID-19 Symptoms Get Free Testing

LA County Testing Resources| Riverside County Testing Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Myths

The COVID-19 vaccine was rushed.

Over decades of creating vaccines, the advances in DNA sequencing, the funding and partnerships among many different health agencies all made it possible for researcher to create the COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year. Researchers were able to understand the genetic code of COVID-19 in as little as 2 weeks. With these DNA genome advances; researchers were able to identify the genetic code and begin to use this information and use it to begin making a vaccine. Source: How Were the COVID-19 Vaccines Made So Fast? (ucsd.edu)

 

The COVID-19 vaccine changes our DNA.

No. Both vaccines, mRNA (Pfizer & Moderna). These vaccines work by delivering genetic material to our cells to illicit an immune response. The genetic material never enters the nucleus of the cell, where the DNA is kept. Learn more about mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines.CDC-mRNA Vaccine

 

 

 

The COVID-19 vaccine can give me COVID.

No, the COVID-19 vaccine does not contain live COVID-19 virus. It only contains a message that will trigger our immune response. This immune response will help our body create antibodies and memory cells to recognize and fight the virus if we come in contact with it. Source: CDC mRNA Vaccine Info.

I can still get COVID-19 even if I get the vaccine.

Yes, that is true. You can still get the COVID-19 virus if you are vaccinated, and this is considered a breakthrough case. Serious breakthrough cases have been rare among fully vaccinated individuals. Vaccines provided a very STRONG protective factor when it comes to COVID-19. In a study from LA County in July 2021, they found the unvaccinated individuals were 5X more likely to get COVID-19 than vaccinated individuals, and 29x more likely be hospitalized than fully vaccinated individuals. It is important to still wear your mask and practice social distancing when in large crowds or indoors. Source: CDC SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Hospitalizations

If I have had COVID-19, I do not need the COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine is still recommended even if you have recovered from COVID-19. After isolation and recovering from COVID-19, it is recommended that unvaccinated people get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have received monoclonal antibodies in your recovery of COVID-19, the recommendation is to wait 90 days to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Source: CDC Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccination

I do not need to wear a mask once I am vaccinated.

Masks continue to be recommended by Fullerton College and Public Health Officials for those vaccinated or unvaccinated. Due to the high transmissibility of the Delta variant of COVID-19, vaccines, masks, hand washing and social distancing are a best preventive measures we have to stop the spread.