Madison Memorial Hospital en Rexburg.
(John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP)
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(Some links in English)
In English |
Who can get the vaccine today?
- People 12 years of age or older
- The third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines has been recommended for certain people with weak immune systems
Read the latest news about vaccines at aarp.org/Vacunas
Where can I get vaccinated?
- Government-run vaccination sites, medical providers and community health centers They are accepting walk-ins. Communicate with your public health district for more information on where you can get vaccinated or make an appointment.
- Certain retail pharmacies, including all Walmart and some Albertsons, Bi-Mart, Walgreens, Customedica and Fred Meyer locations do not require appointments for vaccinations. But if you prefer to schedule your vaccination in advance, you can contact your public health district.
- The help line COVID Help Now The state can help you if you are experiencing stress associated with the pandemic or if you want to connect with behavioral health support services. Residents can call or text 986-867-1073 or call toll free 866-947-5186.
- The federal government’s website on vaccines, www.vaccines.gov, lets you search for vaccination sites by zip code, and includes links to make appointments. You can use the same tool by texting your zip code to 438829 to find vaccination sites or by calling 800-232-0233 (TTY: 888-720-7489 for the hearing impaired). The State of Idaho on its COVID-19 website keep a record of the number of people vaccinated.
- Several transit agencies offer free or discounted rides to and from vaccination sites.
Will I need a third dose?
Pfizer’s booster vaccines could be available soon for adults 65 and older, who have received the first two doses of this vaccine, as well as those at risk of serious COVID-19 infections. A booster for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines could be approved this year.
Federal officials authorized a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weak immune systems, including those who have received an organ transplant and some cancer patients. The authorization does not apply to the J&J vaccine.
If you have a compromised immune system and think you should get the booster shot, the CDC recommends that you talk to your health services promoter about your medical condition, and whether it is appropriate for you to receive the additional dose.
What should I bring to the vaccination appointment?
Authorities recommend that you carry your driver’s license or other state-issued identification that shows your name, age, and the state where you live. In addition, it is recommended to bring your medical insurance card, if you have it. You will not have to pay anything, but the vaccine provider may charge the insurer some amount for the administration of the vaccine.
How does vaccination work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities?
Most residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Idaho were offered the vaccine through a federal program who has contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer COVID-19 vaccines at clinics located at the centers at no cost. This program ended; However, to ensure that long-term care facilities continue to have access to COVID-19 vaccines, the federal government continues to distributing vaccines to the pharmacies that collaborated with these facilities.
AARP calls for mandatory vaccinations for nursing home residents and employees. The federal government announced that, to receive funding from Medicare and Medicaid, nursing homes must require all of their employees to be fully vaccinated.
Which vaccines require a second dose?
Vaccines against COVID-19, one from Pfizer and one from Moderna, require two doses. If you receive one of these vaccines, you will need to receive a follow-up dose to gain the necessary immunity. It is recommended that the second dose be given three weeks after the first for the Pfizer vaccine, and four weeks for the Moderna vaccine. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they can be given up to six weeks later. You should receive a card from your provider stating the place and date to return for the second dose. The state says it will send reminders via text message, email and phone call.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one injection. Federal officials warn that the vaccine has been linked to rare and serious blood clots in a small number of vaccinated people, especially women age 50 and younger.
Do I have to pay for the vaccination?
You should have no out-of-pocket cost to get the vaccine. AARP fought to ensure that the federal government cover the cost of the vaccine. Providers can recover a fee for administering the injection, but cannot charge consumers. They would be reimbursed by the patient’s insurance company or the government (in the case of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured, for example).
Scammers are offering COVID vaccines and treatments and trying to charge for them. AARP’s Anti-Fraud Network, is tracking the latest scams.
What should I do with my vaccination card?
During your vaccination appointment, you should receive a small white card that includes your name, date of birth, the name of the vaccine you received, and the date it was administered. If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, take your card with you when you go for your second dose. You may need your vaccination card to schedule the third dose of the vaccine or a booster shot, in the case of people with compromised immune systems. You may need your vaccination card for certain types of trips or other activities, so keep it in a safe place. You can take a photo of it with your smartphone for your own records. Experts say that posting a photo of your card on social media could make yourself vulnerable to identity theft. If you lose your card or if you did not receive one, contact your vaccine provider to receive a copy of your record. Also, you can contact Health Department local to request a replacement card or a copy of your record.
When can children be vaccinated?
The Pfizer vaccine is licensed for individuals 12 years of age and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are licensed for individuals 18 years of age and older. Both companies, Pfizer and Moderna, are investigating the effectiveness of their vaccines in children from 6 months of age.
How protected am I after vaccination? I’ve heard of post-vaccination infections
All three vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections and are very effective in preventing serious illness and death. However, no vaccine is 100% effective and post-vaccination infections have been reported, although cases are rare.
According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, post-vaccination infections affect only the 0.01 to 0.29% of fully vaccinated people in the states where these cases have been reported. And data compiled by the CDC shows that, as of August 9, about the 0.005% of fully vaccinated people had been hospitalized or had died from COVID-19.
Should I wear a mask after getting vaccinated?
Immunity is acquired two weeks after receiving the single-dose vaccine or, in the case of two-dose vaccines, after the second dose.
Because the delta variant continues to circulate, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in closed public spaces in areas where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, including in schools.
The CDC recommends continuing to wear masks on airplanes, buses, and trains as well as any other public transportation whether you travel to, within, or outside of the United States.
This guide was initially published on January 19; was updated on September 17 with new information on booster shots.
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