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COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

  • Who is currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), clinical trials have shown the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection in children ages 5-11. Individuals 12 years and older are currently eligible to receive the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, while those 18 years and older can receive the two-dose Moderna or single-dose Janssen vaccine.

    Those who qualify for vaccination can schedule a vaccination appointment by visiting the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Vaccine Scheduler Portal. To schedule an appointment for children 5-11, call the Comanche County Health Department at 580-248-5890. We encourage everyone in our community to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. 

  • The vaccine was produced very quickly. How do I know it is safe?

    The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures all vaccines are as safe as possible. Despite what the vaccine project name may suggest, “Operation Warp Speed” does not mean manufacturers were able to skip steps or cut corners in the vaccine development process. Instead, after development of the vaccine, manufacturers took a secured risk and overlapped the study, manufacturing and distribution phases. The FDA committed to giving these vaccinations priority (not rushed) review at all phases of the studies, which helped speed up the overall process. Ongoing monitoring of vaccine effectiveness and side effect reports will continue to be evaluated by the FDA and the manufacturers. 

  • If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, should I still wear a mask?

    Yes. For several reasons, a mask and other proven methods of preventing COVID-19 (hand hygiene and social distancing) are still important even after receiving the vaccine. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. Also, while the vaccines protect you from becoming ill, it is not yet known if the vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus if infected.

    In addition, while COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, there is a small percentage of people who might not be protected while the virus continues to spread – including those with compromised immune systems due to cancer and cancer treatments and those who are unable to be vaccinated due to severe allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients.

    Masks also help protect against new strains of the virus, for which vaccine effectiveness is still unclear. For these reasons, it is important to continue practicing safety measures like wearing masks until vaccines are widely administered and the virus is no longer spreading.

  • If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Yes, at this time the vaccine is recommended even if you previously tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, individuals who have previously been infected with COVID-19 should proceed with getting the vaccine. 

  • Can you contract COVID-19 by getting the vaccine?

    No. The vaccine is NOT a live vaccine, and it is NOT possible to contract COVID-19 from receiving the vaccine. Some people experience side effects from the vaccine, such as headache, muscle pain, or fever – but that does not mean you have COVID-19.  It means your body is working to build the necessary immunity against the virus, which is a good thing. 

  • What are the possible side effects/adverse events from the COVID-19 vaccine?

    The most common adverse reactions reported have been fatigue, headache, fever/chills and joint pain. This means your body is working to build the necessary immunity against the virus.

    Click on the vaccine to learn more about the ingredients in each vaccine and the possible side effects: Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson's Janssen

  • Can the COVID-19 vaccine be administered to children?

    Yes. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for those ages 5 and older.

  • Is there a COVID-19 vaccine available for children younger than 12 years old?

    To date, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine that has been authorized for use in individuals ages 5-11.

  • How many doses are required for the pediatric population (5-11 years old) and over what timeframe?

    The vaccine series for children 5-11 years old is two doses given 3 weeks (21 days) apart. It is recommended that you make your child’s appointment for the second dose at the time of the first dose appointment. Booster doses are not recommended at this time.

  • Is the dosage for children ages 5-11 years old the same as what is administered to adults and teens?

    No. Each dose is 10 micrograms, which is one-third of the dose used in adults and teens. This recommended dosage has been found to be highly effective in protecting young recipients against COVID-19. This vaccine is NOT interchangeable with the vaccine for individuals 12 years old and older.

  • Can the COVID-19 vaccine be administered to pregnant women?

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals. Pregnant women should make an informed decision after discussing with their healthcare provider.

  • I’ve read that fertility could be impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine. Is that true?

    There has been no demonstrated link between vaccines and infertility in the studies conducted to date. The CDC reports there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that the vaccine studies do not indicate any safety concerns for those who are pregnant or want to become pregnant. 

  • How many doses are required? If multiple, when do I get another dose?

    The dose regimen for full vaccination will depend on the type of vaccine you receive. For both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, two doses are required. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be administered 21 days after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered 28 days after the first dose. It is very important to note that the second dose must be from the same manufacturer as the first dose. The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine requires only one dose. 

  • What should I do if I am unable to get the second dose exactly 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) after the first dose?

    While it is recommended that you receive the second dose as soon as feasible after day 21 or day 28, we understand that it might not be possible to receive it on the desired date. This could be due to multiple reasons. Please keep the following in mind if you cannot receive the second vaccine dose on the desired date:  

    • It is strongly preferred that you receive the second dose from the same manufacturer as the first dose. However: 
      • In exceptional situations in which the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine product given for the first dose cannot be determined or is no longer available, any available mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at a minimum interval of 28 days between doses to complete the vaccination series. 
      • In situations where the same Pfizer or Moderna vaccine product is temporarily unavailable for an individual’s second dose, it is preferable to delay the second dose (up to 6 weeks) to receive the same product than to receive a mixed series using a different product.
    • Get the second dose as soon as possible after the desired date has passed, as it is better to get the second dose late than not at all. You will still experience the same efficacy in the long run, although you may not see the full effect of the immunity until a few weeks after the second dose.   
  • How long after receiving my full dose regimen until it is considered effective?

    Similar to the flu vaccine, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. As a general rule, the vaccine is considered effective about two weeks after your full dose regimen, according to the manufacturers. If you are receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which require two doses, there is evidence the first dose will begin providing some immunity, but it is still very important to receive the second dose for optimal results.

  • Can I choose which vaccine I get?

    We do not recommend waiting for a specific manufacturer. All authorized COVID-19 vaccines have been proven effective in reducing the risk of becoming infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, decreasing the likelihood of having a severe case of the illness and reducing hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 disease. It is recommended that you receive the first vaccine made available to you. Early defense is better than no defense against COVID-19.

  • If receiving a two-dose regimen, should those who experience significant side effects from their first COVID-19 vaccine dose expect significant or worse side effects with the second dose? What about those who were previously COVID-19-positive?

    Based on data from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, there appears to be an increased incidence of experiencing certain side effects from the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine compared to the first dose (e.g., fever, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, and joint pain). This does not mean that all vaccine recipients will experience these side effects with the first or second dose. A full list of the reported side effects comparing Dose 1 and Dose 2 may be found within the Pfizer BioNTech EUA Fact Sheet and the Moderna EUA Fact Sheet.

    At this time, we do not have definitive data to state whether vaccine side effects are worse in patients who were previously positive for COVID-19.

  • How long will I need to be observed after I get the vaccine?

    In general, a 10-15-minute observation period is recommended for anyone with a history of severe allergic reactions (due to any cause), and a 15-minute observation period is recommended for all other individuals.

  • Will the COVID-19 vaccine result in a false positive COVID-19 test?

    No, COVID-19 vaccination will not cause a false positive COVID-19 viral test. Per CDC guidance, the immunity response from a COVID-19 vaccine could possibly result in a positive antibody test, which indicates previous infection and potential protection against the virus.

  • If I become COVID-19-positive following my first dose of the vaccine, should I take the second dose?

    Per CDC guidance, you may receive the vaccine (either dose) following resolution of symptoms, if any, and completion of the quarantine period.

  • What ingredients are included in the COVID-19 vaccines?

    Ingredients for authorized COVID-19 vaccines can be found via this CDC link. Individuals with allergies to any of the vaccine components should discuss concerns with their healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine.

  • What does it mean that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

    Receiving full approval means the Pfizer vaccine now carries the FDA's strongest endorsement of safety and effectiveness. This is based on thorough research and comprehensive data review over many, many months.

  • Why is a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine necessary? Is it not as effective as we thought?

    COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and highly effective, even against the Delta variant. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends an additional dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) specifically for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. A third dose will help this vulnerable population enhance their immune response and further protect them from serious – and potentially prolonged – illness. You can read more about the third dose for immunocompromised individuals here.

  • Is a doctor’s permission or a prescription required?

    No. The CDC has indicated immunocompromised people will not need a doctor’s permission or a prescription to get a third shot. They will only need to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements for an additional dose. Individuals who are unsure whether they meet the criteria above should consult their provider. 

  • What if someone has a chronic medical condition like diabetes or asthma? Can they get the third dose now?

    These individuals should not receive a third dose at this time. However, it is expected that the general public will be able to get a booster shot sometime this fall. We anticipate that the booster dose will first be available to healthcare workers, first responders and nursing home residents.

  • What is the difference between a third dose and a “booster” shot? Are they the same thing?

    The vaccine dose is the same, but the intended purpose is different. The third dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to the initial vaccine series. A booster dose is given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time.

  • Can I get a flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

    Yes. Per the CDC, it is safe to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same time. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, and possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.

  • What booster doses are available? Who is eligible?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed booster shots for individuals over age 18. SWMC strongly encourages individuals meeting the age criteria who have already completed a two-dose vaccination series (Pfizer or Moderna) or the single-dose regimen (J&J/Janssen) to get their booster shot if/when they meet the specific clinical and timeframe criteria. You can read more about booster dose eligibility here.

  • Do I have to stay with the same vaccine manufacturer as my initial vaccination regimen for the booster dose?

    No. COVID-19 booster doses can be safely mixed-and-matched. Individuals may choose which vaccine manufacturer (Pfizer, Moderna or J&J/Janssen) they would prefer a booster dose from if/when they meet the specific clinical and timeframe criteria to receive a booster.