COVID-19

Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

We are all eager to see loved ones, travel, and reopen schools and businesses. Getting vaccinated and adhering to the 3W's - wearing a mask, washing your hands, and watching your distance - will put us closed to achieving these goals. All available COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent moderate cases of the infection and are extremely effective at preventing severe disease that can lead to hospitalization and death.

Is there a risk of getting COVID-19 from the vaccines?

No. None of the FDA-approved vaccines contain any live COVID-19 virus. Any temporary symptoms after being vaccinated are indicators that the body is building immunity. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed through unprecidented governmental financial support and cooperation between medical experts and the public and private sectors. Every phase of every trial was carefully reviewed and approved by a safety board and the FDA. For more information, visit the CDC website's vaccine facts page.

Will the vaccine protect me against variants of the virus?

All of the available COVID-19 vaccines provide some protection against known emerging variants. America's leading medical experts will continue to monitor variants and vaccine efficacy. The best way to protect yourself against the virus and variants is to get a vaccine when it is available to you.

How long do these vaccines prevent COVID-19?

The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown. 

How does the vaccine work?

Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work on the CDC's website.

Will the COVID-19 vaccine be free?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine series will be free for every individual. No one will be charged out of pocket fees to receive the vaccine. Vaccine providers may ask for your insurance information as they can receive reimbursement for administration fees but they cannot charge these fees to individuals. For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

I don’t have insurance. Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? How much will it cost?

Every American will be eligible to receive the vaccine series with no out of pocket costs. If a person has public or private insurance, vaccine providers will be able to charge an administration fee. This fee cannot be charged directly to the patient. For more information, visit the CDC website's vaccine FAQs.

What are the risks and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines?

Serious side effects are very rare. Mild side effects, like soreness, headache, or fever, are signs your body is building up protection against the virus and typically go away in one to two days. Even if you don't experience any side effects, your immune system is still building your protection against the virus. 

Common side effects are:

• injection site pain 
• tiredness 
• headache 
• muscle pain 
• chills 
• joint pain 
• fever 
• injection site swelling 
• injection site redness 
• nausea 
• feeling unwell 
• swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) 

There is a remote chance that the COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. 

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include: 

• Difficulty breathing 
• Swelling of your face and throat 
• A fast heartbeat 
• A bad rash all over your body 
• Dizziness and weakness 

Do I have to quarantine after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination?

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use or in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

Although some symptoms from general reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine (side effects), including fever, body aches, and headaches-which last 1-2 days- are the same as those of a COVID-19 infection, this does not mean the vaccine causes infection but that the immune system is working.

What is V-Safe?

V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that will check on you after you get your COVID-19 vaccine. It'll ask about side effects and it'll also remind you when it's time to get your 2nd dose.

Sign up in the V-Safe website.

For more information about V-Safe, view the V-Safe information sheet (PDF) or visit the CDC's website.

Do I need to keep my vaccine card?

Yes. This card serves as your shot record and must be saved for proof of vaccine.

• Keep the card in a safe place until you need it
• Snap a picture of your card with your phone to keep a copy with you
• You may need to present this card for international travel or for proof of vaccination
• Be sure to bring the card to your appointment for your second vaccine dose.

Vaccine Brands & Ingredients

Which vaccine brand should I choose?

Millions of Americans have been vaccinated to protect themselves against the COVID-19 Virus. If you're wondering which vaccine is best for you, the short answer is whichever one is available to you upon eligibility. All the FDA-approved vaccines are safe and effective.

What's the difference between the vaccines?

All available COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing serious impacts of the virus including hospitalizations and deaths. Their differences are primarily the dosage schedule and how they can be transported and stored, as shown below.

*All three vaccines begin to protect you soon after being administered, including with the first dose.

Why does storage temperature matter?

All vaccines require refrigeration, and some require cold or ultra-cold storage that many facilities don't have. Each vaccine's storage temperature only matters for storage and transportation - it does not have an impact on the vaccine's effectiveness. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in a regular refrigerator, so a local pharmacy or a doctor's office could potentially be a vaccination site, which would increase vaccine access.

How effective is each vaccine?

All three vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID related hospitalizations and deaths. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has ben shown to be 85% effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, and, in clinical trials in the U.S., 72% protective against moderate COVID-19 disease. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine showed efficacy of 95% at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after two doses and the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after the second dose.

Who should NOT be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

• Those who had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
• Those who have a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

What are the ingredients in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine includes the following ingredients: 

• mRNA
• lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol)
• potassium chloride
• monobasic potassium phosphate
• sodium chloride
• dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
• sucrose

Who should NOT be vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

• Those who had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
• Those who have a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

What are the ingredients in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine includes the following ingredients: 

• messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
• lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC])
• potassium chloride
• monobasic potassium phosphate
• sodium chloride
• dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
• sucrose

Are there age restrictions to the vaccine?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for individuals 16 years of age and older. The Moderna vaccine has been approved for individuals 18 years of age and older.

How will I know which vaccine I receive? 

You will be notified at the time of your vaccine which brand you’re receiving. You’ll also receive a vaccine card. You must keep your vaccine card as proof of vaccination. You’ll bring this to receive your 2nd dose.

How do I schedule my booster/second dose appointment?

When you receive your first dose at the Health District clinics, you will be given a COVID-19 Vaccination Card. Please refer to this card for the recommended date and brand for your next dose. Please use our scheduling website to schedule your second dose appointment. Please bring your vaccination card and picture ID with you to your appointment.

When should I receive my booster/second dose appointment?

You may receive your booster dose up to three weeks after the date on your COVID-19 Vaccination card.

Can I receive a 2nd dose of any available vaccine?

It’s best if you get your second dose from the same brand as your first dose. For example, if you got a Moderna first dose, it’s best to get Moderna for your second dose.

I received my 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine somewhere else. Can I get my 2nd dose from ATCPHD?

If you received your 1st dose elsewhere, the state expects that you'll return to that same location to receive the 2nd dose.  However,  if you have a unique situation (i.e. moved out of state) and can only receive your 2nd dose from ATCPHD, we ask that you call the Health Department at (325) 692-5600.

Can you get sick with COVID-19 while waiting on the booster 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. For more information, visit the CDC website's vaccine benefits page.

Distribution

Who decides where the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed?

• CDC determines the number of vaccines sent to each state based on population
• Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS) then allocates vaccines to providers throughout Texas
• Due to limited vaccine, DSHS is focusing on areas of Texas hardest hit by COVID-19

Who provides COVID-19 vaccine in my community?

ATCPHD is just one COVID-19 vaccine provider in our community. Other local healthcare providers and pharmacies have signed up and are receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit the website of or call your primary care provider and local pharmacies to receive more information about how they plan to allocate their doses. Each provider determines how best to distribute their vaccine.

Other Vaccine Questions

I’m pregnant or breastfeeding and am concerned about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. What should I do?

Please contact your primary care physician or specialist to discuss your concerns. Your physician can assist you in making an informed decision for your specific situation.

I’m immunocompromised or have another medical condition. Will this impact my ability to get the vaccine?

Immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapies, may have a diminished immune response to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact your primary care physician or specialist to discuss your concerns. Your physician can assist you in making an informed decision for your specific situation.

I’ve already had COVID-19. Do I need a vaccine or am I immune?

Experts do not know how long someone is protected from reinfection and this natural immunity can vary from person to person. Reinfection with COVID-19 is possible so even people who have had COVID-19 should consider getting the vaccine.

Has there been a coronavirus vaccine before?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are two diseases caused by coronaviruses that are closely related to the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers began working on developing vaccines for these diseases after they were discovered in 2003 and 2012, respectively. None of the SARS vaccines ever made it past the first stages of development and testing, in large part due to lack of interest because the virus disappeared. One MERS vaccine (MVA-MERS-S) successfully completed a phase 1 clinical trial in 2019. Lessons learned from this earlier vaccine research have been used to inform strategies for developing a COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit the CDC website's vaccine FAQs.

Will the vaccine change my DNA?

Receiving an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA. mRNA stands for messenger ribonucleic acid and can most easily be described as instructions for how to make a protein or even just a piece of a protein. mRNA is not able to alter or modify a person’s genetic makeup (DNA). The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enter the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA are kept. This means the mRNA does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease. Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work.

Will the COVID-19 vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. The Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines do not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID-19.

Will the vaccine mean that other safety measures and restrictions can be relaxed?

Vaccine distribution will take many months so it is vital that we all continue to wear our masks, physically distance, avoid large gatherings and practice hand hygiene. Please also continue to follow local, state and national safety guidelines.

Does the vaccine have any effect on fertility?

There is no initial evidence or scientific concern that shows the vaccine could impact fertility. 

Should I take the vaccine if I have had convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibody therapies?

At this time, there is no data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in people who received convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibody therapy. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that vaccination be deferred until 90 days after receiving convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies. 

Can I receive my Flu Shot or another vaccine when I receive my COVID-19 vaccine? Do I have to wait a certain period of time between COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines?

The CDC does not recommend receiving the COVID-19 vaccine when other vaccines are being administered. Additionally, they recommend a minimum interval of 14 days before and after the COVID-19 vaccine where no other vaccines are administered.