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 at the same location.

The Janssen/J&J vaccine is administered as a single shot that provides maximum protection 14 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.

On May 10, 2021, the U.S. FDA authorized the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech for use in adolescents 12-to-15-years-old. The CDC has also approved Pfizer’s vaccine for use in this age group. A clinical trial of Pfizer’s vaccine found no symptomatic infections among vaccinated adolescents ages 12 to 15, and there were no serious side effects.

There’s no out-of-pocket cost to you to get the COVID-19 vaccine, though your insurance may be billed for the administration of the vaccine.

If you have Medicare, the plan covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card with you. You’ll need your Medicare card even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

If you have Medi-Cal, the plan covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to bring your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card with you. You’ll need your Medi-Cal card even if you’re enrolled in a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan.

Scientists anticipate that most recipients, regardless of their age, 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.

According to the CDC and the U.S. FDA, if you’ve received the Janssen/J&J vaccine, watch for possible symptoms of a blood clot with low platelets. Although rare, these symptoms may develop within three weeks of receiving the vaccine and include severe headache or blurred vision, chest pain, abdominal pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath or easy bruising or blood spots under the skin by the injection site. Most people who developed these blood clots and low levels of platelets were women between ages 18 and 49. Seek medical care right away if you develop one or more of these symptoms.

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.

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 severe headache or blurred vision, chest pain, abdominal pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath or easy bruising or blood spots under the skin by the injection site within three weeks of your vaccination, seek medical care right away. If you experience sudden onset of severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the rare but increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). TTS is a serious condition that involves blood clots with low platelets.

Based on CDPH and CDC guidelines, pregnancy is considered a high-risk condition, with an increased chance of complications from COVID-19. The CDC says that pregnant people can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Research shows that the vaccination doesn’t pose additional risks for mothers or babies.

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or postpartum is a personal choice. Discuss the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and the risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, with your healthcare provider. Learn more about pregnancy and delivery at Sutter during COVID-19.

Studies indicate that all three vaccines available in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna and J&J) are effective against current variants, including the delta variant in those who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated is considered two weeks after the single dose of J&J or after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

At this time, the CDC doesn’t recommend you receive additional vaccines for COVID-19 once you're fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for anyone over age 12. You can schedule a vaccination appointment for yourself or a child through My Health Online. We’re giving vaccines at dedicated clinics as well as at our Sutter Walk-In Care locations. All vaccinations are by appointment only.

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.

You may need to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to travel, attend an event or in other situations. 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. Simply take a screenshot in the MHO mobile app or print the record from your computer.

For Mobile Devices

1. Download the My Health Online app or make sure your existing app is up to date.
2. Open the MHO app and sign in.
3. Find Immunizations on the menu. (Use the search bar for quick access.) You’ll see a read-only record of your vaccination details and date(s).
4. Share your screenshot in person or via text or email from your device.

On Your Desktop or Laptop

1. Open your web browser and sign in to My Health Online.
2. In the Health Record menu, find Immunizations under My Details.
3. Click Immunizations and you’ll see records of your vaccines.
4. Use the Print icon in the upper-right to print the page or save as a PDF.

You can call (844) 987-6115 to schedule your child’s vaccination or book an appointment through My Health Online. Please note that your pediatrician's office can't schedule or give your child's COVID-19 vaccination at this time.

If you don’t have a My Health Online account, sign up now. Teens can enroll in My Health Online at their provider’s office or by calling (866) 978-8837 if there’s a parental or guardian consent on file. Consent cannot be given over the phone. Learn more.

After enrolling with My Health Online, teen patients (age 12-17) can sign in to the website or mobile app and make their appointment online. Parents or guardians with proxy access to a child’s My Health Online account are able to help schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. However, once the appointment is scheduled, the details will only be visible to teen patients in their own accounts.

Resources

My Health Online for Teens FAQs

Managing My Family’s Health Online FAQs

Yes, if you’re 17 and under, you need parental or guardian consent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Bring a parent or guardian to your vaccine appointment, or download the appropriate consent form, fill out a questionnaire and bring both with you.

COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)

COVID-19 Vaccine Questionnaire

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)

Yes, please bring your insurance or Medicare/Medi-Cal card to your vaccination. There’s no out-of-pocket cost to you to get the COVID-19 vaccine, though your insurance may be billed for the administration of the vaccine.