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Have Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine? We Have Answers!

Date: 01/11/21

COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death in the United States. More than 7,000 Louisianans died from COVID in 2020. This number is higher than the number of deaths caused by accidents, stroke and diabetes combined in our state during 2017. Newly developed vaccines for this virus will be a crucial tool in ultimately ending the pandemic and getting our lives back to normal.

Unlike many vaccines, these COVID-19 vaccines do not contain a dead or weakened virus that triggers an immune response. Instead, the COVID-19 vaccines contain a genetic instruction manual that tells your immune system how to respond and protect you from the virus. The technology used in the vaccines has been around for decades. These vaccines protect your body from the serious consequences of a severe illness like COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use by the FDA. The FDA authorization means trials have proven the vaccine is safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines are being developed faster than other vaccines because there is worldwide urgency—but no steps were skipped during the clinical trials and data review process. Safety has been and remains a top priority.

It’s normal to have questions about the vaccine. Here are some answers to a few common ones:

How is it determined who gets the vaccine? Who has priority for getting it first?

When can I get the vaccine?

  • According to LDH, vaccines are likely to become more widely available in late spring/summer 2021. Louisiana should receive enough doses to vaccinate everyone who wants a shot. Having a large portion of the population vaccinated is our best chance at returning to some form of normalcy. Vaccines will be administered by qualified healthcare professionals. For example, vaccinations for hospital staff are being done on site by the hospital. As more doses of the vaccine become available, people will be able to get it at their doctor’s offices, community clinics and pharmacies.

I have heard that I might need to get more than one shot to be vaccinated. Is this true?

  • Both vaccines are in two doses, administered 3 or 4 weeks apart. You will get the necessary information about the second dose when you get your first vaccine. The second dose is very important. One dose will not provide long-term protection. People vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine will receive the second dose 21 days after the first dose. Those getting the Moderna vaccine will receive the second dose 28 days after the first dose.

Is the vaccine ok for children?

  • As of now, there is no vaccine for children. Until there’s a vaccine safely tested for children, there will not be a vaccine for children.

How much will it cost to get vaccinated?

  • There will be no cost to the person receiving the vaccine. However, providers may charge an administrative fee or for an office visit. As a Louisiana Healthcare Connections member, the vaccine or any possible provider charges will be at no cost to you.

If I already had a COVID will I still need to get vaccinated?

  • There is not enough information to know whether you will need a vaccine if you tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered. Over the long term, it is possible that we may need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine yearly, the same way we do with the annual flu shot.

Once I get vaccinated, will I need to wear a mask in public?

  • Short answer: yes. There is not enough information to know when it will become safe to stop wearing masks. Experts will need to know more about the protection the COVID-19 vaccines provide before we can stop wearing masks.

If you have more questions about the vaccine visit https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/4042.