Island Hospital is following Washington State Department of Health and Skagit County Public Health guidance for vaccinating the public. As of April 15, 2021 all individuals over 16 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and all individuals over 18 are eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Go to Find Your Phase  to check your COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

 

Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. All vaccines have a high effectiveness rating with similar side effects to the annual flu shot. Both Pfizer and Moderna require two doses, approximately three to four weeks apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose. The type of vaccine received varies weekly. Please check the top of this page for current vaccine type.

Island Hospital will be charging patient’s insurance an administration fee for the vaccine. No copays will be collected and there will be no additional cost to the patient.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19 and may also help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do contract COVID-19.

For the latest COVID-19 Vaccine information the Washington State Department of Health and the CDC websites are great resources:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States contain the live virus, meaning you cannot get sick with COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccine works by helping to build immunity without getting the illness by developing antibodies that recognize how to fight the virus. It will take a few weeks to build immunity following vaccination, so it is possible to become infected with the virus just before or after receiving your vaccine. It is important to give your body enough time to provide protection.

Yes. The natural immunity following infection from COVID-19 varies from person to person and evidence suggests that natural immunity does not last long following recovery. This means re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, and due to the extensive health risks associated with the virus, it is recommended you get vaccinated regardless of whether you have already had COVID-19 or not.

New evidence suggests that there is a loss of efficacy with recent mutations of the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccinations. This does not mean there is reason to be concerned, however, because leading experts agree that it is not likely the vaccines will be rendered entirely ineffective as a result. The vaccines still appear to protect people from the worst outcomes such as hospitalization or death.

No, do not skip the second dose. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses approximately 21 and 28 days apart, respectively. The second dose is necessary for the COVID-19 vaccine to be effective and provide adequate immunity. Clinical data suggests that the first dose of the vaccines helps the immune system create a response against the virus that causes COVID-19 and is around 50% effective 10 days following injection. The second dose further boosts your immune system, ensuring the full benefit including prevention from getting COVID-19 or preventing serious illness or death. The vaccines are nearly 95% effective, providing protection several days after receiving the second dose. By skipping the second dose, you will have short-lived and incomplete protection.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine recently approved by the FDA is a single dose. It has been approved for people ages 18 and older and demonstrated a 66% effectiveness rating overall in clinical trials in various countries.

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. All vaccines approved for use in the United States have undergone intensive safety monitoring including the careful analysis of clinical trial data, ingredients, and manufacturing. Clinical trials for vaccines must meet rigorous criteria for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for use. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines and while some people do not show side-effects, many people experience mild side-effects like pain or swelling at the injection site, a headache, chills, or fever. These reactions are normal and are a positive sign the vaccine is working. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and you develop symptoms more than three days after getting vaccinated or the symptoms last more than two days, self-isolate and get tested.

It is currently recommended that you wait at least 14 days before getting any other vaccine, including the flu or shingles vaccine if you get your COVID-19 vaccine first. If you get another vaccine first, wait at least 14 days before getting your COVID-19 vaccine.

Currently, there is limited data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines administered during pregnancy or for women who are breastfeeding. However, leading experts note that mRNA vaccines do not contain the live virus and therefore, are not thought to pose a risk to unborn babies and nursing infants. It is important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to discuss key considerations including the risks of contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy and breastfeeding, how well the vaccine works to develop protection in your body, potential side effects and lack of clinical trial data during pregnancy.

Following the COVID-19 vaccine, you may experience short-term side effects which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects include pain and swelling on the arm where you got the shot. Throughout the rest of your body, you may also experience fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. Rest assured that these side effects should go away in a few days but talk with your provider if you have pain or discomfort and want to discuss taking over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Call 911 if you have an allergic reaction after your vaccine. Signs of an allergic reaction include: difficulty breathing, swelling of your face and throat, fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over your body, dizziness and weakness.

*To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot, apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area and continue to use or exercise your arm. To reduce discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly. Contact your healthcare provider if the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours or if your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days. 

The Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are authorized for use in people 18 and older, and the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for use in those 16 and older. At this time, the COVID-19 vaccine has not been studied in children and they are not authorized to receive the vaccination. Trials are expected to begin shortly, with information about safety and efficacy of the vaccination in children expected to be available in mid-summer.

The State of Washington allocates second doses of the vaccine based on where the first dose was administered. Therefore, we encourage patients to only schedule in a location where they can receive their second dose. Unfortunately, we cannot book second dose appointments if you did not receive your first dose with Island Hospital.