COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Vaccines have long been a tool to help mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines help the body produce antibodies that can fight off a specific disease and has two benefits: It helps prevent people from getting infected and, therefore, it can also help reduce the spread of the disease. Health care experts hope the COVID-19 vaccine will help people from getting seriously ill even if they get infected with COVID-19. However, they recommend that people who get the vaccine should continue to take safety precautions.

Several biomedical companies are working on vaccines. There are a few completed vaccines and others still in different phases of clinical trials.

The vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE has been approved for emergency use authorization by the FDA, and is being distributed across the U.S. This vaccine, which shows to be more than 95 precent effective, may help prevent people age 16 and older from getting infected. Patients receive two doses of this vaccine 21 days apart.

Another vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. has received emergency use authorization by the FDA, and is being distributed across the country. This vaccine is about 95 percent effective. This vaccine can reduce infections among asymptomatic individuals and could potentially help prevent the spread of the virus from person to person. The Moderna vaccine is given to patients in two different doses 28 days apart.

The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine is the third to receive emergency use authorization by the FDA. This vaccine was found to be 66% effective in preventing COVID-19 illness and was also highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death in those who did get sick after exposure to the virus. It is administered as a single injection. 

BayCare has paused administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in light of the April 13 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Drug Administration. Read more.

While scientists around the world have raced against time to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the FDA’s rigorous review classifies them as safe and effective. The vaccines have shown promising results and no major side effects. To help track any issues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed several tracking tools for people to share any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccines are being distributed based on guidelines set forth by states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to limited supply, the CDC first made the vaccine available to front-line health care workers and long-term care facility residents. On December 23, the governor of Florida expanded that list to people age 65 and older and the medically vulnerable. We are working with local and state partners to expand the vaccination to other groups as the vaccine and resources become available.

In accordance with guidelines from the State of Florida, BayCare is reaching out to existing patients of BayCare Medical Group and BayCare Physicians Partners to schedule vaccine appointments. Invitations to schedule vaccine appointments are issued on a rolling basis commensurate with vaccine supply.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, three to four weeks apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just a single dose.

There is currently limited data available on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or those under 16 years old. People over 16 years old can receive the COVID vaccine. Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines should check with their physician before getting the vaccine.

After the COVID-19 vaccination, some people have reported side effects that went away after a few days. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may include redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills and joint pain.

COVID-19 vaccines will not give people COVID-19. The vaccine protects the human body from getting infected. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines will be given to every American at no cost. However, providers who administer the vaccine will be able to charge an administration fee for giving the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s insurance or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

While vaccinations have started, people need to continue to practice safety measures.

• Wear a mask when social distancing is hard to maintain.
• Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet from those outside your household.
• Frequently wash your hands and try not to touch your nose and mouth.