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Board of Health - COVID VACCINE FAQ's

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1. Which vaccine will we likely receive in Carlisle?

Moderna (mRNA vaccine) - issued emergency use authorization by the FDA on December 18, 2020.

2. How effective is the Moderna vaccine?

Based on evidence from clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine is 94.5% effective at preventing laboratory confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who received two doses.

3. When can I get a vaccine?

In Carlisle, we will begin clinics in late January/ early February pending vaccine delivery from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  An general overview of the different phases:

• Phase 1 - healthcare providers, emergency responders, home health care workers
• Phase 2 - individuals 65 years +, early education and K-12 education workers, people with comorbid conditions, essential workers
• Phase 3 - general public

For more information on the different phases under the State’s vaccine timeline:  LINK HERE

Mass.gov information: "When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? LINK HERE

4. Who is eligible to get the vaccine at the Carlisle Vaccine Clinics?

Anyone age 18+ who does not have a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to any components of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. If you have a history of anaphylaxis to a food or medication, you can get the vaccine but we recommend you have it administered in a medical setting (e.g. hospital or clinic).  

5. What is considered a co-morbid condition?

Adults of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  NOTE:  We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. The below list of underlying medical conditions is not exhaustive and only includes conditions with sufficient evidence to draw conclusions; it is a living document that may be updated at any time, subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves.  

• Cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• COPD (Congestive Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions: such as heart failure, Coronary Artery Disease or Cardiomyopathies
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant 
• Obesity (BMI >30, but <40)
• Severe obesity (BMI 40+) 
• Pregnancy
• Sickle-cell Disease
• Smoking
• Type -2 Diabetes

For more information for people with certain medical conditions and the need for extra precautions, refer to the CDC guide: LINK HERE

6. Do I need documentation that I have a comorbid condition?

Currently, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that you digitally sign an attestation form confirming that you are in the group currently eligible for vaccine. No specific documentation is otherwise required.

7. How can I sign up for the vaccine?

Registration will be online or by phone once the clinic dates have been set. Announcements will be made on the town website, in the Carlisle Mosquito, COA Newsletter. 

https://www.carlislema.gov/

8. If I am identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, can I still get a vaccine?

Yes, if you do not have a fever or other COVID-related symptoms.

9. Where will the vaccine be distributed?

The vaccine is currently available at hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies and municipal clinics. More information regarding where to get a vaccine can be found on the MASS.gov website:  LINK HERE

10. Where will the vaccine be distributed in Carlisle?

Carlisle will be offering a drive-through clinic in the parking lot of the Carlisle Congregational Church (147 School St.).

11. WIll I need 2 doses of vaccine? How exact does the timing of the second dose have to be?

The second Moderna vaccine dose should be administered 4 weeks after the first Moderna dose.  There is a grace period of about 4 days, but there is no maximum interval between the first and second does.

12. Do both doses have to be from the same pharmaceutical company?

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is not interchangeable with other COVID-19 vaccines to complete the vaccination series. The safety and efficacy of a mixed-product series have not been evaluated. Both doses of the series should be completed with the Moderna vaccine. However, if two doses of different mRNA COVID-19 vaccine products are inadvertently administered, no additional doses of either product are recommended at this time.

13. Are there any side effects to receiving the vaccine?

All vaccines can cause side effects.  People have reported redness, pain, swelling at the injection site and chills, fever, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle aches (more common after 2nd shot). You may experience flu- like symptoms within 1-2 days of the vaccine, which resolve within a few days.

14. Can I take a pain medication if I have side effects from the vaccine?

You can use over-the-counter medication for fever or pain (such as Tylenol), but it is generally recommended to avoid NSAIDS (like Advil or ibuprofen) as they may reduce the immune response to the vaccine.

15. How do I know if I have COVID or a reaction to the vaccine?

The following symptoms are NOT associated with the vaccine: shortness of breath, cough, loss of smell/taste, runny nose, sore throat. IF you experience these type of symptoms you should contact your primary physician.  The vaccine does NOT cause a positive PCR test.

16. How long will protection from a 2-dose vaccination last?

We do not know. Antibody responses have been documented for 4 months after the vaccine has been administered, and it is thought that immunity may last greater than 1 year. 

LINK HERE to correspondence to The New England Journal of Medicine regarding "Durability of Responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 Vaccination".

17. What is in the vaccine?

The vaccine does not contain eggs, Latex, or preservatives. The mRNA is surrounded by a lipid capsule, which contains polyethylene glycol (the likely trigger for allergic reactions).  LINK HERE  for the Moderna COVID-19 Fact Sheet.

18. Do I need a prescription from my doctor for the vaccine?

No.

19. Is the vaccine safe for pregnant or lactating women?

We do not know yet. These groups were not included in the clinical trials. If you are in this category you should discuss the vaccine with your OB/GYN.

20. Could a vaccine for COVID-19 be required?

In the past, people could refuse a vaccine available under EUA (emergency use authorization), since it is not FDA approved. In the near future, a COVID vaccine may be required for air travel, work, school or international travel, but the specifics of this are not yet clear.

21. Should I get the vaccine if I've already had COVID?

Most experts recommend getting the vaccine even if you’ve already had COVID, since we don’t know how long immunity lasts. If you’ve recently had COVID, you can wait about 90 days.

22. Is the COVID-19 vaccine free?

Yes.

Vaccines purchased with US Taxpayer money will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers will be allowed to charge an administration fee for giving the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

23. Will I be provided with documentation that I've been vaccinated?

Yes.  Participants will receive a vaccination card (CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card).  On this card will be the vaccine information you received and the date you received it for both doses.  It may be a good idea to take a picture of this card.  There is a place on the back of the card to put a reminder date for the second shot.

24. Can I stop wearing a mask after I get the vaccine?

Even if you’ve received a vaccine, you should still continue to wear a mask when in public until cases have declined significantly. The vaccine is only part of the overall strategy to overcome COVID-19. 

Although the vaccine has proven to be effective at preventing COVID-19 illness, its ability to prevent infection or transmission is not yet known.

25. How will vaccines work against new COVID-19 variants, like the one that appeared in the United Kingdom?

It is normal for viruses to change as they spread, and for new variants to appear. Scientists are working to learn more about new COVID-19 variants to understand how easily they might spread, and whether the vaccines we already have will protect people against them. Right now, we don’t have any evidence that the new COVID-19 variants can make people sicker or increase risk of death. However, as time goes on and scientists learn more, we will have more detailed information.

26. Can I choose which vaccine I receive?

No. Recipients will receive the vaccine offered to them when they attend a vaccination clinic. Both vaccines currently available in the U.S. are highly effective and safe.

27. How long after getting the COVID-19 vaccine does it take to be effective?

It usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.