Vaccine FAQS

• Contact your healthcare provider who is currently overseeing your care.
• Contact your local pharmacy who is currently filling your prescription medications.
• Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at: vaccines.gov.  

● The vaccines that are available to Oklahomans are safe and effective. The FDA has rigorous scientific and regulatory processes in place that ensure the safety, effectiveness and quality of COVID-19 vaccines.
● Throughout the entire process, the vaccines were evaluated for their safety and efficacy. Oklahomans should feel confident in receiving the vaccines.
● All three vaccines available to Oklahomans now have been proven highly effective to keep you from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.
● We encourage all Oklahomans to receive the vaccine when it becomes available to them.  

• The Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine are quite similar, as they both use mRNA technology to produce an immune response against the COVID-19 spike protein. They both require two doses. The Novavax vaccine also requires two doses, but is a protein-based vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson a viral-vector vaccine, only requires one dose.

• All four vaccines are highly effective to protect you from COVID-19. This includes people over the age of 65, as well as adults with underlying health problems that put them at high risk for COVID-19.

• The Moderna, Novavax and Janssen (J&J) vaccines are under Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA, meaning they are safe, effective and ready for Americans to use.

• The best COVID-19 vaccine is the one you can get right away. All four vaccines will help significantly to reduce your chances of getting seriously ill or dying as a result of COVID-19.

• The Moderna, Novavax and Janssen (J&J) vaccines are still under Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA, meaning they are safe, effective and ready for Americans to use.  

● After vaccination, you may experience some common side effects, which are normal signs that your immune system is functioning properly and your body is building protection.
● The following side effects are normal and a sign that your body is building protection against the virus. Everyone is unique — some experience mild to moderate side effects, while others have none.
● The side effects commonly reported for the COVID-19 vaccine are in line with those of other common vaccines, like the flu shot.
● Side effects could include soreness, redness or swelling on the arm where you got the shot. You might feel fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills or fever.
● Any side effects should go away after a few days.
● We recommend you reach out to your personal provider with any concerns or questions about side effects.
● For updated information please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html.  

• mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
  
• COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the “spike protein.” The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in natural infection against COVID-19.
• At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection.
  
• The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is that those vaccinated gain this protection without having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

• COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
• Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19.
• Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
• There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men. 

• Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.
• Multiple variants are circulating globally and within the United States. There are currently two variants of concern in Oklahoma:
  • B.1.617.2 (Delta)
  • B.1.1.529 (Omicron)
• The widespread of variants in Oklahoma reinforces the importance of seeking out testing if you are symptomatic. We urge Oklahomans to get tested if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even if you have been vaccinated.
• Identifying and tracing new variants is critical to our ability to mitigate community transmission of the virus.  

• FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines protect against Delta and other known variants.
• These vaccines are effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19, getting very sick and dying.
• People who are vaccinated are also less likely to spread COVID-19.
• As we continue to monitor and learn about variants of COVID-19, we will keep the public updated on our findings.
• Medical professionals advise that we continue to follow the 3 W’s (wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance), limit your exposure to others and consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine.  

• As variants emerge and the virus continues to spread, we may see breakthrough cases of COVID-19.
• Breakthrough cases are cases of COVID-19 that occur after someone has been fully vaccinated.
• They happen in only a small percentage of vaccinated people, but it’s possible for them to occur.
• The more people that get vaccinated, the less the virus will be able to spread from person to person, reducing the likelihood of breakthrough cases.  

• Data shows the vaccine is very effective against severe illness from COVID-19, including protection against variants. But, until Oklahoma has more of its population vaccinated, it is vital you continue to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Continuing to take preventative measures like the 3 W’s (wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance) will keep cases from rising significantly and prevent further hospitalizations.
• In addition to the 3 W’s, we’re encouraging Oklahomans to consider a checklist when assessing personal health risk and taking precautions against COVID-19: who you are, where you are and what you’re doing.
  • Who you are – Consider your personal health circumstance.
  • Where you are – Are you indoors or at a crowded event?
  • What you’re doing – Are you with other vaccinated people or doing a physical activity?
• Asking yourself these questions about your individual situation can help guide your decision about which mitigation strategies make the most sense for you and your family.  

• We recommend you receive the vaccine, even if you have already had COVID-19.
• The protection someone gains from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Since this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last.
• Getting the vaccine, even if you already had COVID-19, will help you protect yourself and others.
• COVID-19 vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity alone. Unvaccinated individuals are more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated after initially contracting the virus.  

• Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta or Omicron variants. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta or Omicron variant can spread the virus to others.
• Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend all Oklahomans continue to follow the 3 W’s (wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance) even once you receive the vaccine to protect those around you who have not yet received the vaccine.  

● The CDC advises that fully vaccinated people can travel both within the United States and internationally.
● If you travel, you should still wear a mask in public places.
● You do not need to get a COVID-19 test before arriving in another country unless required to do so by authorities at the destination. However, you should have a negative test result before boarding a flight back to the U.S., and should also get tested 3-5 days after you return home.
● If you are not vaccinated, OSDH and the CDC still recommend you avoid travel, especially air travel, if at all possible.

There are a few ways you can obtain proof of COVID-19 vaccination:

• Go to the Oklahoma OSIIS public health portal: https://osiis.health.ok.gov
  • Note: Records will be listed under the phone number and email provided at the time you received the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Email OSIIShelp@health.ok.gov if you have questions or need assistance.
• You may also submit a HIPAA release form and valid form of ID to immunize@health.ok.gov.
• If you received a federally administered vaccine, you can look it up in the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna). If the vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. A person should not receive more than three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses.  

• Patients are encouraged to connect with their healthcare provider or local pharmacist to discuss vaccination.
• For patients who seek their third dose from a county health department, they will self-attest they are immunocompromised (Patient’s will not have to show proof or medical documentation).  

• Residents should bring their current vaccination card to their appointment and their third dose will be added to the card.
• If a vaccination card has been misplaced, a new one, reflecting the third dose only, will be provided at the time of the third dose.
• There are a few ways you can obtain proof of COVID-19 vaccination:
  • Go to the Oklahoma OSIIS public health portal.
    • Note: Records will be listed under the phone number and email provided at the time you received the COVID-19 vaccine.
    • Email OSIIShelp@health.ok.gov if you have questions or need assistance.
  • You may also submit a HIPAA release form and valid form of ID to immunize@health.ok.gov.
  • If you received a federally administered vaccine, you can look it up in the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

• Contact your healthcare provider who is currently overseeing your care.
• Contact your local pharmacy who is currently filling your prescription medications.
• Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at: vaccines.gov.

County Health Departments Vaccination Availability:

• County health departments are offering vaccine availability with several options. At this time, appointments are available by calling your local health department directly.
• Please check your local health department’s Facebook page and/or website for days and times of walk-in clinics in your area.
• The FDA has approved the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the third dose. Providers may choose to administer doses now.
  
• Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at: vaccines.gov.