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COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in Washington State for everyone age 5 years and older.

Scientists have used a decade of vaccine research to rapidly develop the vaccine for COVID-19. Since we’re in a pandemic, developing a new vaccine can go faster than normal. No steps were skipped, but some steps happened at the same time such as applications, trials, and manufacturing.

Pfizer’s COMIRNATY is the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive FDA approval as of Aug. 2021 for use for age 16 and above to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer vaccine is approved as EUA for 12-15 and 5-11 age groups.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved COVID-19 vaccines for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) developed by two manufacturers (Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson). An EUA allows the FDA to make a product available during a declared state of emergency before it has a full license.

Yes, the vaccine is safe. The FDA has a process for ensuring that all vaccines are safe before they can be used in the United States. This process includes clinical trials and approval for both safety and effectiveness. All vaccines made available have undergone clinical trials and approval for both safety and effectiveness.

The CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older should get the COVID19 vaccination as widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.

The Pfizer vaccine is now authorized for children 5 years of age and older.

Yes. People 5 -17 years of age may need consent from a parent or guardian to get the vaccine, unless they are legally emancipated.

You will need to check with the vaccine clinic about their requirements for showing proof of consent from a parent/guardian or legal emancipation.

There are no COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for children under the age of 5.

Vaccine trials in children ages 6 months to 5 years are underway in the U.S. and under careful supervision by the FDA. Children should be up-todate on their other important life-saving immunizations.

Administration of the flu shot at the time of COVID-19 vaccination is considered by CDC as safe and effective. If you have any concerns related to co-administration of your vaccines with the COVID-19 vaccine, please consult with your primary care provider and/or pharmacist.

The following websites have helpful information and tools to help you find out where to get a vaccine:
•            vaccinefinder.org
•            vaccines.gov/get-vaccinated/where
•            vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov
You can also learn more from health care providers, state and local health agencies, pharmacies, and through public announcements, and traditional and social media sources.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) can connect you to available mobile vaccine teams.Fill out a secure online form or call the state’s COVID-19 hotline for assistance 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357). Language assistance is available.

Yes. The CDC recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated for THE coronavirus. Due to the way COVID-19 shots work, experts don’t think there is a risk for pregnant people. There aren’t a lot of studies conducted with pregnant people. However, to date they have not found any safety concerns for pregnant people. Clinical studies looking at the safety and how well the shot works in pregnant people are being done now and more are planned.

You should speak to your health care provider if you have questions about getting vaccinated.

Yes. Although nursing mothers were not involved in the studies, experts think that a COVID-19 vaccine should be given to nursing moms who are able to take the vaccine. The benefits of getting the vaccine are thought to outweigh the risks of not getting the vaccine. You do not need to stop nursing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can keep breastfeeding after you get the COVID-19 vaccine. Please ask your doctor specific questions.

The vaccine should not be given to people with a known history of severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis to any ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine.

There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions in persons receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. These reports are being further investigated, but in the meantime the CDC recommends that people who have had a history of severe allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy (e.g. intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous), or allergy to any ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine, should complete a risk assessment with a health care provider to determine if the vaccine is right for them.

There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccine.

No. It will be your choice whether to get the vaccine. Washington State is not currently considering any mandates for the vaccine, but employers could require it. Please talk to your doctor or clinic if you have questions or concerns.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and local public health agencies are responsible for the vaccine distribution process. The specific details for how and when people can get the vaccine may be different in each county. Check your local health district website for details.

The Pfizer vaccine is a two-dose vaccine, given 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose vaccine, given one month apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-dose vaccine.

The CDC recommends that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to achieve the needed immunity (CDC Link)

Yes. BOTH vaccine doses you receive need to be from the SAME supply manufacturer. So, you will either receive 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine or 2 doses of the Moderna vaccine. It is recommended that patients request a completed COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card for your personal records when you get your first dose. The card should include information such as: the vaccine manufacturer, lot number, date of first dose, and the due date of the second dose.

Please make the appointment for the second dose at the time of the first dose. Although you should get a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, it is best to also mark the date on your personal calendar and set a reminder on your phone.

Your provider can look up the information in the CDC’s Immunization Information Systems (IIS) website. The CDC requires that vaccination providers enrolled in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program report vaccine data to the CDC within 24 hours of administering a dose. This information includes the vaccine manufacturer. The IIS is a lifetime registry that keeps track of immunization records for people of all ages.

Booster doses are recommended for those 16 and over who have completed their primary vaccination series. (Additional Information on eligibility)

The CDC recommends that everyone 16 years and older who received the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine primary series get a booster dose.

According to the CDC “mixing and matching” your booster shot is safe and effective. Your booster shot does not have to be of the same vaccine type as your primary vaccine series.

• If you got the Pfizer vaccine: You should wait six months or more after your second dose to get your booster. Choose between either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 Booster.

• If you got the Moderna vaccine: You should wait six months or more after your second dose to get your booster. Choose between either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 Booster.

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: You should get a booster dose two months after your first dose. Choose between either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 Booster.

During the FDA’s review and approval process, safety and effectiveness are evaluated. After getting vaccinated, you may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot. In addition, you may have fever, chills, tiredness, and/or headache. Most side effects are generally mild and lasts a few days.

The CDC and FDA encourage the public to report possible side effects to a national data collection site called, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Learn about the difference between a vaccine side effect and an adverse event. Also, health care providers will be required to report certain adverse events to VAERS as well.

Additionally, the CDC is implementing a new smartphone-based tool
called v-safe to check in on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When you receive your vaccine, you should also receive a v-safe information sheet telling you how to enroll in v-safe. Enrollment is optional and you can opt out at any time.

V-safe uses text messaging and web surveys to check-in with vaccine recipients after the vaccination. It enables participants to report side effects and health impact events after COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe will also remind you to get your second COVID-19 dose.

Your participation in v-safe makes a difference - it helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe.

The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies (“fighter cells”) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. So, you get protection against the disease without having to get sick.

Resource: Washington State Department of Health video on how vaccines work in your body.

No. The live COVID-19 virus is not present in any vaccine currently available and there is no risk from becoming infected as a direct result of receiving the vaccine. After getting vaccinated, you may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot. In addition, you may have fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. Most side effects are generally mild and last a few days.

There is no current evidence to support that the vaccine causes infertility.

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, the CDC recommends the vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection.

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection varies from person to person.

Since reinfection isn't likely to happen in the 90 days after you're sick with COVID-19, you can delay getting a shot until 90 days after your infection. You should not get the shot while sick or during the isolation/quarantine period to avoid exposing others.

Please contact your provider if you have questions regarding when you should receive the vaccine.

See CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States for more information.

If you have been recently exposed to COVID-19, you should wait to get the vaccine until after your quarantine period has ended. However, if there is a high risk you could infect others, you may want to be vaccinated during your quarantine period to prevent spreading the disease. Check first with your provider.

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the possibility of reinfection, you should be vaccinated even if you have had COVID-19. This is because experts don’t yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.

If you have COVID-19, you should wait to get vaccinated until you are no longer sick and are not in isolation. Talk to your doctor if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Per the CDC if you are fully vaccinated and come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 then do the following:

• Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test result.
• Get tested 5-7 days after close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Get tested and isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The CDC has issued guidance on what you can do once you become fully vaccinated. For the most updated information, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fullyvaccinated.html.

The CDC also generally recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. They include:

• Wash your hands often with plain soap and water. The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Learn more about safely using hand sanitizer.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering or nonsurgical mask when around others. Find more information about how to select, wear, and clean your mask.

Many people are experiencing higher stress levels, anxiousness, sadness and anger during the pandemic. You are not alone. Help is available,
please visit: Washington State Coronavirus Response.

• Email general questions to the Washington State Department of
Health (DOH) at mailto:covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov

•Visit the DOH web page at:
www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine

• Visit the CDC website at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

• Visit Molina’s COVID-19 web page at:
www.MolinaHealthcare.com/members-wacovid19