COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Yes, current data from the manufacturers of the vaccines strongly indicate the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines vaccines are safe and effective, demonstrating 100% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.

Safety is the most important requirement for the vaccine and is assessed in trials by independent experts.

While these vaccines were 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 following populations are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida:

• Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson)
• Individuals 12-17 Years of Age with Parent/Guardian Consent (Pfizer)

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

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 should wait until you have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine.

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.

No, 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.

In early March 2021, the CDC released updated guidelines for individuals who have been fully vaccinated. Outside of health care settings, without wearing masks or physically distancing, fully vaccinated individuals can:

• Gather with other fully vaccinated people indoors
• Visit unvaccinated people from a single household indoors who are at low risk for severe COVID-19

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.

Fully vaccinated people should continue to avoid medium to large gatherings and should continue to wear a mask and physically distance:

• In public
• When visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 or who have an unvaccinated person in their household who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19
• When visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households

Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine require two shots to be fully effective. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine 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. The CDC also recommends that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to these organizations, pregnancy is a risk factor for complications associated with COVID-19.

No. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccines cannot 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 and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are 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 Pfizer and Moderna 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.

If you carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and meet the state’s priorities for COVID-19 vaccination, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at any state-supported site. You do not need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital.

If you received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at Baptist Health and lost your COVID-19 vaccination record card, please email bhcovidvaccine@bmcjax.com with your full name and date of birth. If you have not yet received your second dose and lost your card, you can get another card at your second appointment.

Other tips for taking care of your vaccination record card can be found here.