COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Yes. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children as young as 5.

Visit our Wolfson Children's website for FAQs about this vaccine for young kids.

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Yes. According to the CDC:

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
• Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
• CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Additionally, "getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. CDC has updated guidance for fully vaccinated people based on new evidence on the Delta variant."

To learn more, visit cdc.org.

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The CDC recommends everyone age 18 and older should get a booster shot.

Booster doses depend on which vaccine you received. If you received Pfizer or Moderna for your initial series, any of the three available vaccines may be given as a booster at least 6 months after the primary series. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine initially, any of the three available vaccines may be given at least two months after the primary shot.

Learn more at cdc.gov.

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There are many sites throughout our region. To find a vaccine location near you, visit vaccinefinder.org.

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According to the CDC, yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because:

• Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19.
• Vaccination helps protect you even if you’ve already had COVID-19. Evidence is emerging that people get better protection by being fully vaccinated compared with having had COVID-19. One study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than 2 times as likely than fully vaccinated people to get COVID-19 again.

Learn more from cdc.gov.

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You should wait until you no longer have to isolate to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine.

Additionally, If you were treated for COVID-19 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.

To learn more, visit cdc.gov.

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No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.

After the vaccine, you may have some side effects for a few days, which are normal signs that your body is building protection against the virus. Some people have no side effects.

To learn more, visit cdc.org.

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In late July 2021, the CDC updated their masking guidance for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the Delta variant of COVID-19. Fully vaccinated people:

• Should wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
• May choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
• To be considered fully vaccinated, you must be at least two weeks out from your final dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, or at least two weeks out after getting a single-dose vaccine.

To learn more, visit cdc.gov.

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It typically takes two weeks after you are fully vaccinated for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19.

After a person receives the COVID-19 vaccine, their immune system will be left with a supply of “memory cells” T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes (defensive white blood cells) that remember how to fight the virus in the future.

To learn more, visit cdc.gov

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Yes. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) issued a statement recommending providing pregnant and lactating women the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. People who are pregnant may receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.

To learn more, visit cdc.gov

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No. According to the CDC:

"None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.​

If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus."

Learn more by visiting cdc.gov

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Individuals 5 years of age or older are eligible to receive a vaccine.

• The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for ages 5 and up.
• The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines are authorized for ages 18 and up.

To obtain the vaccine in Florida, individuals 5-18 years of age must be accompanied by a guardian.

To learn more, visit the Florida Health Department website.

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COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost.

Learn more at cdc.gov.

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No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Vaccines deliver instructions to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.

Learn more at cdc.gov.

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The following populations are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida:

• Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
• Individuals 5-17 Years of Age with Parent/Guardian Consent: Pfizer

To learn more, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccine-eligibility/

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If you misplace your vaccine card, you will need to contact your local Florida Department of Health office to request a replacement.

You may walk in to one of the following Immunization Centers to get your Florida Shot Record during business hours:

South Jacksonville Immunization Center
3225 University Blvd. S. Suite. 200
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Second weekend of each month, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Pearl Immunization Center
5322 N. Pearl St.
Jacksonville, FL 32208
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fourth weekend of each month: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Call 904.253.1850 or visit duval.floridahealth.gov for more information.

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COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to most people with underlying medical conditions.

However, if you have question or concerns, you should talk to your health care providers for advice. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

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