COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Baptist Health is providing COVID-19 vaccines to a limited number of individuals who meet Florida’s Executive Order and CDC criteria for Phase One of vaccine administration. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an opportunity for all interested patients and community members to receive a vaccine at this time.

Appointments are provided to qualifying individuals by email invitation only. We expect to be able to offer appointments for other qualifying individuals in the future, as supply allows. We are working diligently to make this happen as soon as possible and appreciate your patience.

Yes, current data from the manufacturers of the vaccines strongly indicate both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe and effective, demonstrating 94-95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19.

Safety is the most important requirement for the vaccine and is assessed in trials by independent experts. FDA advises a minimum of 3,000 participants to assess safety. The current phase 3 trials have 30,000 to 50,000 participants.

While these vaccines are being developed quickly, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Before vaccines are released to the public in the United States, they must undergo a multi-step approval process by the FDA. In normal circumstances, production of a vaccine begins after a pharmaceutical company completes the development stage – this is when the rigorous safety and effectiveness testing happens. In this circumstance, the federal government invested money to encourage pharmaceutical companies to start production before the development stage is complete. This is why COVID-19 vaccines are able to be produced on a faster timeline, while remaining safe. These vaccines still undergo the same comprehensive, multi-step testing, review and approval process as they would normally.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. As the vaccine is rolled out across the country, we will have additional information about where to receive your vaccine in our community. The vaccine may not be widely available to the public until several months into 2021.

According to the Florida COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, the following vaccination distribution will likely apply:

• Phase 1 (December 2020 and January 2021): Limited vaccine availability. The following vulnerable populations are to be prioritized:

  • Individuals in long-term care facilities
  • Emergency responders and frontline health care workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19
  • Individuals 65+
  • Those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including those with underlying medical conditions

• Phase 2: Greater vaccine availability in pharmacies, hospitals, pediatrician offices, general physician offices and community-based sites

• Phase 3: Widespread vaccine availability to the public through pharmacies and health care sites

Yes, even if you have had COVID-19 or an antibody test, receiving the vaccine will add additional protection against COVID-19.

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Some early evidence suggests the natural immunity someone gains from having COVID-19 varies from person to person, and may not last very long.

You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

Some people may have a headache or fever after getting a vaccine. These side effects are a sign that your immune system is working and building up protection to disease.

Yes! Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others.

Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine require two shots to be effective. There is one COVID-19 vaccine currently in phase 3 clinical trials that only requires one shot.

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.

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to produce these defensive white blood cells following vaccination.

Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have come out in favor of providing pregnant and lactating women the vaccine. According to both of these organizations, pregnancy is a risk factor for complications associated with COVID-19.

If you are pregnant, it’s recommended that you consult with your provider for guidance about getting the vaccine.

According to the Dec. 23 Executive Order from Gov. Ron DeSantis, health care personnel with direct patient contact should be prioritized in the first phase of vaccine administration. If you are a health care worker and you or staff in your office are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, please email bhcovidvaccine@bmcjax.com for more information.

No. According to the CDC, neither the Pfizer nor Moderna vaccine can 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, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility 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.

Currently, there is no data on the safety or effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised persons and studies are ongoing. If you are immunocompromised, consult with your health care provider to make an informed decision about getting vaccinated.

Because only adults participated in early clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people aged 16 years and older, while the Moderna vaccine is recommended for people ages 18 years and older.

As clinical trials continue to expand, the groups recommended to receive the vaccine will likely change.

Your insurance may be billed for the administration of the vaccine; however, there will be no out-of-pocket cost to patients receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at Baptist Health.

No. The vaccine does not have the ability to genetically modify your DNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) in the COVID-19 vaccines serve as a translator, conveying important information to your cells that helps your immune system learn how to defend against this specific kind of virus. It instructs cells to produce a spike protein similar to that of the COVID-19 virus so that your body can practice defending against it. It strengthens your immune response but in no way changes your genetic code.