Things to know about the vaccine

• Prisma Health began receiving its initial supply of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, following the Food & Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization (EAU).
• Per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines, front-line healthcare team members received the vaccination first, equipping them to continue safely serving patients.
• Vaccinations of front-line team members at Prisma Health began immediately after supplies arrived.
• All 18 of Prisma Health's acute and specialty hospitals enrolled with the state as designated vaccine providers to administer the vaccine.
• Following healthcare workers and long-term care facilities, the vaccine was offered to the public in early 2021 using a phased approach, starting with first responders, essential workers and individuals at high risk for complications from COVID-19 and then the general public.

Prisma Health has received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which requires two shots given three weeks apart. You must receive two doses of the same vaccine. 

Long-term care facilities are receiving the Moderna vaccine. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses given four weeks apart. It will be distributed by either Walgreens or CVS. Additional FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines from other pharmaceutical companies may become available in time. 

The approved coronavirus vaccines use messenger RNA, or mRNA—a vaccine technology that has been studied for decades. This technology teaches the body’s cells to make a harmless piece of the “spike protein” found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This causes your immune system to produce antibodies that protect against COVID-19 infection.

The COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized for use in the United States require 2 shots to get the most protection. The second dose is recommended to be administered within 17-25 days after the first dose. However, if this is not possible, or an appointment is not available within this window, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may be scheduled for administration up to 6 weeks, which is 42 days, after the first dose. 

No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not interact with a person’s DNA. Our DNA is protected by a membrane that prevents things from passing through easily. It does not enter the protected nucleus, (where DNA is housed), so it does not have access to our DNA.

No. The vaccines that are approved for use in the U.S. do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. It is not possible to get sick with COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Vaccine development typically takes many years; however, scientists had already begun research for coronavirus vaccines during previous outbreaks caused by related coronaviruses, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). We are lucky that this earlier research gave us a head start to allow this vaccine to be developed in record time.

Yes. There were minorities in both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccine trials. 

Yes, but you should wait until you are no longer quarantined to receive the vaccine.

Unless there is concern about a breast problem, women who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are advised to wait 4–6 weeks after their second dose before having a screening mammogram.

All vaccines, including COVID-19, can cause temporarily enlarged lymph nodes in a woman’s armpits. If this is seen on a mammogram, radiologists may recommend follow-up imaging.  

Plan for your appointment to take around 30 minutes. Please be sure to do the following:  

• Bring identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, and your insurance card if you have one
• Do not bring companions unless you need physical assistance  

Once you receive your first dose, the MyChart system will send you reminders about your follow-up dose.  

COVID-19 vaccines may cause temporary symptoms (reactions) in some people. Fortunately, reactions tend to be mild and last less than 1–2 days. The most common reactions are muscle aches, tiredness and arm soreness at the injection site. Fever is reported in less than 2% of cases.  

Other reactions that may occur are: 

• Headache 
• Chills 
• Joint pain 
• Swelling or redness at the injection site 
• Nausea 
• Not feeling well in general 
• Swollen lymph nodes 

Mild reactions mean the vaccine is working to help teach your body how to fight COVID-19 if you are exposed. Having these types of reactions does NOT mean you have COVID-19. Also, you CANNOT get COVID-19 from the vaccine. 

Although rare, it is possible to have a severe allergic reaction. This often occurs within a few minutes to an hour. Severe reactions include: 

• Breathing problems 
• Swelling of your face and throat 
• Racing heartbeat 
• Having a bad rash appear throughout your body 
• Feeling dizzy or weak 

For your own safety, please wait at least 15 minutes for observation. In the unlikely event that you have a severe reaction, Prisma Health has clinical team members on hand to help you. If you begin to feel very ill soon after you leave, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. 

Be sure to keep the white COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that was provided with your vaccination. If you were vaccinated at a Prisma Health site, you can obtain proof of your vaccination through MyChart. From the website, go to Menu > My Record > COVID-19. From the MyChart app, go to My Record > Health Summary > Immunizations. 

If you scheduled your vaccination through VAMS, you can download a Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination at vams.cdc.gov. Remember, do not use Internet Explorer to access VAMS. Use Chrome, Safari or another web browser. 

No. While being vaccinated will protect most people from becoming critically ill from COVID-19, factors such as how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will determine if and when the CDC changes these safety guidelines.