Commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to save lives and protect yourself and others. However, getting vaccinated is a personal choice, and one that many people have questions about. As your trusted health partner, Providence is providing the following fact-based information to help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines went through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure safety and effectiveness. The COVID-19 vaccines were tested on thousands of people, including those of varying demographics and communities of color.¹ After much evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and others, the COVID-19 vaccines available today were determined safe and highly effective in preventing COVID-19.

What are the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccines are one of the best, most effective ways to prevent disease. The COVID-19 vaccines are made to protect you from getting the virus or to limit symptoms should you get it. Vaccines can slow or stop the spread of disease when about 60 to 80 percent of people are vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are our best shot at ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?

The COVID-19 vaccines teach your body how to recognize the virus and protect you from it. After vaccination, you will develop some immunity to COVID-19. However, the vaccines won’t give you COVID-19 or affect your DNA in any way.

The COVID-19 vaccines available today are administered in two doses, separated by 21 or 28 days, depending on the vaccine you receive. Those who get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should get their second dose three weeks or 21 days after their first dose. Those who get the Moderna vaccine should get their second dose one month or 28 days after their first dose. Remember to bring your vaccination card with you to get your second dose.

Should I get the vaccine? Which one should I get?

All the COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible. Systems that allow CDC to watch for safety issues are in place across the entire country. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to meet rigorous safety criteria and be effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. There is no recommendation of one vaccine over another. You should get the vaccine wherever and whenever it becomes available. Read more about COVID-19 FAQs from CDC.

Should I get the vaccine – I’m high risk? (If I have lung issues can I get the vaccine?)

Yes. People with underlying medical conditions can receive the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines provided they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Learn more about vaccination considerations for persons with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Are you pregnant or breast-feeding? If yes, consult your doctor before you get the vaccine.
I have cancer, can I get the vaccine? Consult with your doctor before you get the vaccine.
I am on blood thinners can I get the vaccine? It is safe to get vaccine if you are on blood thinning medication. Your risk for bleeding bruising is higher, but it is safe to get vaccine if you are on blood thinning medication. Please let the clinician administering the vaccine know prior.

Where can I get the COVID Vaccine?

Your county may be offering vaccine to certain populations. This information can change frequently so please visit your county’s website:

Some retail pharmacies may also be offering to certain populations. We/Providence are awaiting delivery of vaccine as well and will notify you when supply is available and you are eligible.

When will the MD office have it?

The vaccine is distributed/controlled by the state as well as each county. We/Providence are awaiting delivery and as we do begin to receive vaccine, supply will be limited so we will be following state and county guidelines to distribute the vaccine. We will notify you when supply is available and you are eligible.

Should I come to you or go to one of my county locations?

You should get the vaccine wherever and whenever it becomes available. The County Vaccine sites provide a safe, well organized source for your vaccination

Can you put me on a wait list?

We will be reaching out to all patients in the coming weeks with updates regarding the availability of the vaccine. We will notify all patients when they are eligible to receive the vaccination and provide information on how and where to schedule a vaccine appointment based on state and county guidelines and vaccine availability.

Who can get the vaccine?

We are following current state and county guidelines.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

There is a small risk of side effects associated with all vaccines, but the majority of the time, side effects are less serious than the diseases themselves. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. It may cause mild to moderate side effects for some people, such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and fever. Other side effects including allergic reactions have been reported, however, studies show the vaccines are safe. We encourage everyone to report any side effects following vaccination.

Once vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask and social distance?

Yes. A COVID-19 vaccine, in combination with other measures such as wearing a mask, frequent hand washing and social distancing, is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. Different city, county and state orders will likely be in place until our communities become widely vaccinated

I do not have access to schedule a vaccine appointment on-line. How can I get an appointment for the vaccine?

Orange County: www.Othena.com
Los Angeles County: 833-540-0473 (8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
San Bernardino County: 909-387-3911

Do I get to choose which vaccine I get?

Right now, there are only two COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S., both of which are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19. Because supply is initially limited, you cannot pick and choose which one you receive. However, you must receive the same type of vaccine for each dose.

Can I get one of each?

No. The current recommendation is that you receive the same vaccine for your 2^nd dose as you did for your 1^st dose. So if you received the Moderna vaccine for your first dose you should get Moderna for your second as well.

What happens if I receive a different vaccine for my second dose?

Currently the CDC does not recommend receiving another dose of the original vaccine that you received.

What happens if I didn’t get the 2^nd dose in the recommended timeframe? Do I need to start over?

The recommendation for the second dose of vaccine is 21 days for the Pfizer-BioNTech and 28 days for the Moderna vaccine. There is no upper limit so if you are past this identified timeframe please schedule your second dose now. If you go beyond the specified timeframe you do not need to start the vaccine process over. Please schedule your second vaccine as soon as you are able.

I received Moderna vaccine and I heard it was recalled? What do I do? Do I need to get another vaccine or a different vaccine?

One lot number (batch) of the Moderna vaccine was set aside for a brief period while additional scientific review was conducted. It was determined that the vaccine is safe and is now being used to safely vaccinate patients without any incidents.

What if I have COVID now? When can I get the vaccine? Should I get the vaccine?

If you are currently sick, please continue to follow the advice of your physician/provider. You are eligible to receive the vaccine once your symptoms have improved, you have been fever free for over 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication and you have completed the 10 day quarantine.

If I had COVID already can I get the vaccine? If so when can I get it?

Resource taken from CDC

Yes. If you have had COVID you should get the vaccine. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you were NOT treated with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma you can receive the vaccine once your COVID symptoms have improved and you have met the quarantine time frame.

Experts do not yet know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called “natural immunity,” varies from person to person. It is rare for someone who has had COVID-19 to get infected again. It also is uncommon for people who do get COVID-19 again to get it within 90 days of when they recovered from their first infection. We won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until we have more data on how well the vaccines work.

Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are working to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.

Will I get charged for getting the vaccine?

There is no charge to you for the COVID-19 Vaccination.

Do I need to bring my insurance card or information to my vaccine appointment?

You do not need to have insurance to get the vaccine and it will not cost you anything out of pocket.

You may be asked if you have insurance if you schedule through acounty website, however, it is not required.

For our existing patients, you do not need to bring your insurance card with you, just a photo ID.

I got my first shot in LA county; can I get my second shot in OC? (or another county)?

You should receive both your first and your second vaccine from the county that you live in. If you received your vaccine in a county that you do not reside (because you were eligible through your work) you can receive your second vaccine in the same county as your first vaccine or from the county in which you reside.

On the day of my vaccination, can I be turned away if I have symptoms of fever, cough, etc.?

You should not receive the COVID-19 Vaccine if you are sick. You may be asked to reschedule your appointment if it is determined that you are sick or if you have a fever.