COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Main Message: 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. However, it is important to know that since it typically takes 1-2 weeks for the body to build immunity after the second dose, it is still possible for you to become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 before or immediately after receiving the second vaccine dose and get sick.

• Additional Information:
  • The vaccines have been shown to cause minor aches and pains, fever, and general tiredness for a short time after injection in many people.
    • These symptoms are short-term and resolve without complication or need for medical attention. They are more common after the second dose of vaccine.
    • They are a sign your body’s immune system is getting ready to fight COVID-19 and will prevent more serious illness in the future.
  • Severe anaphylactic reactions are a potential reaction to any vaccine.  If someone has a history of these reactions, further assessment will be completed to be sure the vaccine can be administered safely. The CDC is continuing to monitor this.
  • Bell’s palsy is not believed to be caused by the vaccine, since this reaction happens at the same rate we see in the general public. The CDC is continuing to monitor this.

Main Message: The Indiana Department of Health has developed four phases of vaccination eligibility based on CDC and FDA recommendations and we will move through the phases as vaccines become available.

• Additional Information:
  • Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorized for adults 16 and up, and Moderna has been authorized for adults 18 and up. Further research is needed before the vaccines will be authorized for use in children.
  • Guidance and Phases will be continually evolving and changing based on vaccine supply and new evidence.
  • Indiana Department of Health has set up the following phases of vaccination based on CDC and FDA recommendations:
    • Phase 1A
      • Includes:
        • Front-line health workers (in hospitals, nursing homes, or providing home care)
        • Workers who provide health care facility services such as transportation and environmental services who also risk exposure to bodily fluids or airborne disease
        • Public-facing first responders (police, EMS, firefighters)
        • Local Health Department staff (frontline healthcare workers, test site operators, and vaccine clinic staff)
      • Long term care facility residents and staff – may be vaccinated at facility or different vaccination site if desired
      • Workers in congregate living facilities (group homes, child caring institution, etc)
      • This group has a critical role in keeping the health care system functioning, high risk of exposure to patients with COVID-19, and higher risk of then transmitting the virus to others, including family members.
    • Phase 1B: Protect the Vulnerable
      • Age 70 and older currently eligible
      • Age 60 and older will be next group eligible
    • Phase 1C:
      • The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 12/20/2020 to include people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions and essential workers not included in phase 1B
    • Phase 2: Vaccinate the General Public

• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppressive disease
• Currently taking immunosuppressive treatment
• 65 or older
• 55 or older AND:
  • Cardiovascular disease OR
  • Hypertension OR
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease
• 12-17 years of age AND
  • BMI greater than 85th percentile for their age and gender (CDC growth charts) OR
  • Sickle cell OR
  • Congenital or acquired heart disease OR
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders OR
  • Medical related technological dependence OR
  • Asthma, reactive airway, or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication
  • PLEASE NOTE: As of 12/21/2020, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved only for those 16+ and Moderna vaccine for those 18+. Further studies and future vaccines are planned to protect children.

Main Message: Currently, two vaccines are available one made by Pfizer/BioNTech and one by Moderna, both of which have been shown to be about 95% effective.

• Additional Information:
  • The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to turn a patient’s own cells into factories making one particular coronavirus protein. This protein triggers the immune system to build up a defense for future exposure. Within days, the messenger is done with its work and is no longer in the patient’s body.
  • Other vaccines close to market include vaccines made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. These two vaccines will work by putting an antigen into the patient’s body to stimulate an immune response.

The Pfizer/BioNTechvaccine includes two shots, 21 days apart while the Moderna vaccine includes two shots, 28 days apart. It is important to complete both doses in the series, as a single dose has not been shown to be as effective as two doses.

Current studies show the full effects of the vaccine are reached 1-2 weeks after the second dose.

• The vaccine is given through a shot into the muscle in the upper arm.

Main Message: There will be no out-of-pocket fee for patients to receive the vaccine.

• Additional Information:
  • Vaccine providers can charge a small fee ($28) for administration of the vaccine, but this will be charged to the patient’s public or private insurance company.
  • If a patient is uninsured, the fee can be paid by Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

Main Message: While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long this protection will last, and it is possible to catch COVID-19 more than once.

• Additional Information:
  • A person who has had COVID-19 may want to consult with their healthcare provider to decide if they should wait until 90 days after COVID-19 infection to get the vaccine.
  • Someone who has had COVID-19 should not get the vaccine until symptoms have cleared up (recent infection).
  • If someone with COIVID-19 received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, they SHOULD wait for 90 days to keep from interfering with those treatments.

• While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, including whether someone who has been vaccinated can become infected and transmit the virus to others, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic.
• Until more evidence has been provided, staying more than 6-feet away from people outside your own household, wearing a mask that covers both the nose and mouth, and washing hands often are key to preventing spread of COVID-19.

Main Message: If you have had severe allergic reactions to vaccines in the past you should consult your doctor before receiving the vaccine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak to their healthcare provider to make an informed decision about whether to get or not get the vaccine.

• Additional Information:
  • There is no data available on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant people yet (future studies are planned), but due to the increased risk of severe illness associated with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, a pregnant person and their healthcare provider may decide that vaccination is a good option.
  • 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, and sucrose.
  • The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine contains 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]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.

• Both vaccines have been rigorously tested, are highly effective, and held to high safety standards so any COVID-19 vaccine that is available is a good option. However, after receiving your first vaccine, the second vaccine dose must be from the same vaccine manufacturer. If you have specific medical questions, please consult with your healthcare provider.

• Because there is not yet data on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines given at the same time as other vaccines, no other vaccines should be given within 14 days (before or after) of the COVID-19 vaccines. If the COVID-19 is inadvertently given within 14 days of another vaccine, doses do not need to be repeated for either vaccine.

• MCPHD will not require photo identification to receive a vaccine.

• V-safe! CDC created the V-safe smart-phone based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through V-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. And V-safe will remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one. When you get a vaccine, your healthcare provider will give you information on how to register and use V-safe.

• It’s too early to know. Because this is a novel virus and in turn, vaccine, we won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until we have more data on how well the vaccines work.  This is why you should still wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands frequently, even after you have been vaccinated.

• You may register online at ourshot.in.gov or call 211 for assistance scheduling. For older individuals having trouble registering, you can also call 800-986-3505 to reach one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging for help with registering and transportation.  AARP also offers registration assistance.

• If you are having trouble registering for the vaccine you may not yet be eligible to receive it yet or the website may be receiving heavy traffic. You can refresh and try again or call 211 for help.

• We will offer vaccine to persons age 65 and older as soon as we have enough supplies of vaccine to be able to do so.

• You must live or work within the state to receive the vaccine in Indiana.

• Yes, if you live or work anywhere in Indiana you may receive the vaccine from any site in Marion County.

• As soon as sufficient supply of the vaccine is available to do so.

• Medicaid/Healthy Indiana Plan recipients have approved coverage for vaccine transportation and EMT services.
• Mobile vaccination clinics are being developed and information will be released when it is known.

• You may call 211 or a friend or family member may register for them.
• For older individuals having trouble registering, you can also call 800-986-3505 to reach one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging for help with registering and transportation.
• AARP also offers registration assistance.

• Once you register you will be scheduled for your first dose only. At the vaccination site you will schedule your second dose after receiving your first.  If you receive the Pfizer vaccine there will be a 21 day interval between doses and a 28 day interval if you receive the Moderna vaccine.

• Once you choose a vaccination site you will receive whichever vaccine they have at that site. Both vaccines are highly effective.

• There are currently 9 vaccination sites across Marion County and 148 across Indiana. A list and map of these sites can be found at ourshot.in.gov. The vaccination site run by the Marion County Public Health Department is located at 3685 Commercial Drive, 46222.

• If you have pre-registered by filling out your information online it will take roughly 15 minutes to be vaccinated. The observation time following the shot will be 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the individual.

• The eligibility groups in each phase are determined by the state and information will be shared once it becomes available

• COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkits

• • For Medical Centers, Clinics, Pharmacies, and Clinicians
  • For Healthcare Professionals and Pharmacists
  • For LTCF Administrators and Leadership
  • For Employers of Essential Workers
  • For Staff of Organizations Serving Communities

• V-safe Print Resources
• What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
• What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID Data Tracker – Vaccinations
• CDC COVID vaccine homepage (including a drop down menu that links to each jurisdictions vaccination webpage)

• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States

Facebook

• https://www.facebook.com/CDC/videos/2745123949150652
• https://www.facebook.com/CDC/videos/895952571176955

Twitter

• https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1353039879920373761
• https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1352688746978828289
• https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1352678917962870790
• https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1352659036991352834
• https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1352371659316097024

Instagram

• https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZZKt6FzRw/
• https://www.instagram.com/p/CKW1DSsgo32/

LinkedIn

• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention_a-new-mmwr-report-summarizes-the-clinical-activity-6758454437078974464-2Kkq
• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention_long-term-care-facility-residents-covid-activity-6758444702208454658-Kcjt
• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention_clinicians-cdc-currently-recommends-that-activity-6758137354977910784-hWQ-