This page answers common questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccines that will soon become available to NHS patients. We understand that there is uncertainty around new vaccines and want to offer as much reassurance and information as possible.
1/20/2021 update: We are currently only vaccinating patients age 65+ at our clinics, and we are in the process of reaching out to those eligible patients to schedule vaccination appointments.
Educators and childcare providers are only currently eligible for vaccination at the MN Department of Health pilot sites, not at our clinics.
We will update this page with vaccine eligibility developments as they occur.
When will the vaccine be available for NHS patients?
The rollout of the vaccine first includes healthcare workers and people with certain conditions that put them at risk of being more severely impacted by COVID-19. Talk to your provider to learn more about when the vaccine will be available to you. If you are in one of the high-risk age or health categories you may get a text message when it is available to you. Once you get a text confirming your eligibility, you will need to call the clinic (612-566-9411) and make an appointment to get vaccinated.
What can I expect when I get the vaccine?
You will get the vaccine during an appointment at one of our clinics. The vaccine will be given by a nurse or medical assistant. You will be asked a set of questions before getting the vaccine to make sure you do not have any conditions that prevent you from getting the vaccine. You should not come in for your vaccine if you are feeling sick or have a fever on the day of your scheduled appointment. If you have any questions or concerns, please make an appointment to discuss the vaccine with a healthcare professional before your vaccine appointment. Once you receive your vaccine you will be required to wait 15 minutes to be sure you do not have any allergic reactions to the vaccine. You will be given a card with your vaccine information and an appointment date for your second vaccine.
Why do I need 2 doses of the vaccine?
Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses, several weeks apart. The first dose introduces the vaccine to your immune system so your body can start to build some immunity (protection) to COVID 19. The second dose builds on the first to increase protection against COVID-19. After the first dose you will have 50% protection; after the second dose you will have 95% protection. You will have 100% protection against severe effects of COVID-19, although there is still a small possibility you can become infected after being vaccinated.
Will I have any side effects?
Side effects are always possible, meaning not everyone gets them but some people do. The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness of the arm or at the injection site. This soreness may not start until later in the day or the next day. Other side effects you may experience are headache, low-grade fever, body aches, and chills. This is normal, and means the vaccine is working! Your body is creating the immune response necessary to fight COVID-19. Vaccines are safe and effective, and severe side effects are extremely rare.
What are common side effects of the vaccine?
As with most vaccines, some patients may experience side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Common side effects include headache, soreness at the injection site, and possibly fever. These side effects are normal and indicate the body is mounting the immune response necessary to protect against COVID-19. If you have ever experienced a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, or know/suspect you are allergic to the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine, consult your provider.
Will I be able to go out in public without a mask after I get my vaccine?
Please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice social distancing after vaccination. To keep others safe, COVID-19 safety precautions are still necessary after vaccination since there is a slim chance you may still contract the virus and spread it to other people around you who may not have been vaccinated yet. This is called “asymptomatic spread” of COVID. You don’t get sick but you can pass it to others Asymptomatic spread can happen whether or not you have been vaccinated.
Which vaccines will be administered at NHS clinics?
Currently NHS has been designated to receive the Moderna Vaccine. So far both vaccines have shown similar side effects. They both work in the same way to create immunity (protection) to COVID 19.
Why should I be vaccinated?
Vaccination protects you from getting COVID-19. In the event that you are vaccinated and still contract the disease, the vaccine will help keep you from getting seriously ill. The majority of a population needs to be immunized against a disease in order to reach what is called
herd immunity, the point at which spread of the disease becomes unlikely. Getting vaccinated helps in the effort to fight the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19.{/su_expand]
Is the vaccine safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous trials to ensure their safety and efficacy. Some people are concerned about the speed with which the vaccine was developed. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed quickly for several reasons including access to more funding than vaccines usually get due to the urgent nature of the pandemic. For more information on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines,
visit the CDC’s page on vaccine safety.There is some concern around the idea that the vaccine changes your DNA.
This is not true. The COVID-19 vaccines are messenger RNA vaccines (also called mRNA vaccines). Messenger RNA gives our cells instructions for how to create a piece of so-called spike protein, a protein found on the surface of the coronavirus. This helps your body develop the ability to recognize and protect against the coronavirus and prevent you from developing COVID-19. The technology behind mRNA vaccines was already being developed before COVID-19 emerged; this also contributed to the speed of COVID-19 vaccine development. For more information on how mRNA vaccines work,
visit the CDC’s page on mRNA vaccines.Is the vaccine safe for pregnant people/nursing parents?
There is currently no evidence that suggests the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding people. Please consult your provider for more information about whether or not being vaccinated for COVID-19 is the right choice for you.
Is the vaccine safe for children?
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children age 16 and up; the Moderna vaccine is approved for people age 18 and up. While young children were not included in the first run of clinical trials, additional trials to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for children are underway. Please consult your provider to determine which members of your family should be vaccinated.
Should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Yes. While data is limited on this matter, it may be possible to contract COVID-19 again if you have already had it. To avoid becoming sick again and spreading the disease to others, vaccination is the best choice.
If I get vaccinated, can I still get COVID-19?
No vaccine is 100% effective. The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective and the Moderna vaccine is 94% effective. That means there is still a slim possibility (5% and 6% respectively) that you could contract COVID-19 after being vaccinated. Furthermore, the vaccines require two doses, several weeks apart. If exposed, you could possibly become infected in the time between the two doses. This is why even if you are vaccinated, it is important to continue social distancing, vigorous hand hygiene, and masking in public or when gathering with others.
Do I need to continue wearing a mask and social distancing after I’ve been vaccinated?
Yes. Vaccines are most effective if a majority of the population gets them. As the rollout of the vaccine will take time, it is still important to wear a mask and limit social gatherings after you have been vaccinated. This is because no vaccine is 100% effective and there is still a possibility (thought greatly diminished) that you could contract and spread COVID-19. See above question and answer for more information.
