COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Vaccines are designed to stimulate the human body’s own protective immune response, so that if a person is infected, their immune system can recognize the infection and react to it. While vaccines are developed in different ways using different methods, it’s important to remember that they can’t give you COVID-19.

Both currently available mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. You’ll get an initial vaccination, then a second shot — three weeks later for the Pfizer vaccine or four weeks later for the Moderna vaccine. Per the CDC, second dose shots for both can be administered up to six weeks after the first if necessary.

The second dose stimulates a greater immune response, offering the recipient far more protection from COVID-19. The appointment for your second dose will be scheduled during your first appointment.

The Janssen/J&J vaccine is administered as a single shot that provides maximum protection 28 days after administration.

The CDC states that the vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States are safe and effective. These vaccines have been tested in large, Phase 3 clinical trials and are held to the same rigorous standards as all other types of vaccines in the United States. The approved vaccines were found to be safe and effective in tens of thousands of adults who participated in Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials — widely considered the gold standard for testing pharmaceuticals.

Currently, Sutter is pausing the use of the Janssen/J&J vaccine in accordance with CDC guidance.

There’s no out-of-pocket cost to you to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Scientists anticipate that most recipients will experience mild to moderate flu-like side effects, including fatigue, chills, muscle aches and fever. These side effects should resolve in one to two days, and show your immune system is responding to the vaccine.

After you receive the vaccine, you need to remain onsite for at least 15 minutes so we can monitor you for severe allergic reactions and provide immediate treatment if needed.

Currently, Sutter is pausing the use of the Janssen/J&J vaccine in accordance with CDC guidance. According to the CDC, if you’ve received the Janssen/J&J vaccine and develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of your vaccination, seek care right away. If you experience sudden onset of severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Learn more about what you can expect after your COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the CDC, if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Please see the Pfizer and Moderna Fact Sheets for ingredient lists and more information. If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC recommends that you should not get the second dose. An evaluation and treatment by an allergist may enable you to receive the second dose.

According to Jansen/J&J, you should not receive the Janssen/J&J viral vector vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine. Please see the Janssen/J&J Fact Sheet for an ingredient list and more information.

Yes, masking and physical distancing will continue to be critical tools in preventing transmission until a large percentage of the population is vaccinated. We’re also awaiting more information about the long-term protection of the vaccines.

Sutter Health is pausing use of the Janssen/J&J vaccine out of an abundance of caution, per CDC guidelines.

We’re currently contacting patients scheduled for the Janssen/J&J vaccine. We’ll reschedule appointments with a different vaccine when possible. Due to supply constraints, patients scheduled for Janssen/J&J may need to be placed on a standby list and rescheduled as additional Pfizer and Moderna doses are made available. We’ll continue to follow public health guidance and keep patients updated.

Common side effects may include injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea and fever up to 72 hours after vaccination.

However, according to the CDC, if you develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of your vaccination, seek care right away. If you experience sudden onset of severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Unless specifically indicated otherwise, you should be able to go ahead with most routine procedures and screenings either before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. However, talk to your doctor about getting a vaccine if you’re scheduling a surgery, hospitalization or a procedure that requires anesthesia.

Please wait 4-6 weeks after vaccination to schedule your mammogram. Learn more.

Sutter vaccination sites are making every effort to let no dose go unused. In cases where there are appointment cancellations or remaining vaccine at the end of the day, we contact scheduled patients to come in early. All vaccinations are by appointment only.

Our ability to schedule new appointments is dependent on vaccine supply. While supply is still currently limited, we’re hopeful that additional vaccine allocation will allow us to open appointment availability at all our vaccination sites. We ask for your patience as we work to balance vaccine supply with increased demand due to expanded vaccine eligibility.

As a Sutter patient, you don’t need to be vaccinated by Sutter, and you may choose to get vaccinated elsewhere. For help finding other vaccination sites near you, visit myturn.ca.gov.

If you received your COVID-19 vaccination at Sutter Health, you’ll find documentation of the shot(s) in your immunization record in My Health Online.