COVID-19 Vaccination at Pittsburgh Mercy

The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an easy step you can take to protect others and help keep you, your family, and our communities safe.

Pittsburgh Mercy is committed to vaccinating people and communities who are the most vulnerable. We are working with community partners to help ensure equitable distribution of the vaccine.

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccinations & Boosters

Staying up to date with your vaccines ensures optimal protection again severe disease from COVID-19.

  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19.
  • Adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Appointments

We offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and booster to adults 18 years and older. Appointments are strongly encouraged.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

If You Need Assistance

If you need personal assistance with scheduling your COVID-19 vaccination, please call 412-918-0631 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID-19 Vaccination Consent Forms

Pittsburgh Mercy COVID-19 Immunization Registration, Acknowledgement, & Consent Form

To help us make the most of your time, please complete the consent form for the vaccine you wish to receive:

Forms will also be available at the clinic.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Location

Pittsburgh Mercy South Side COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
249 South 9th Street, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15203.

Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, by appointment.

Limited free parking is available. Enter the building on the side that faces Mt. Washington. Follow the signs to the Pharmacy.

Note: Pittsburgh Mercy’s COVID-19 South Side Vaccination Clinic is located at the same address as Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center. The site is accessible by public transit.

Before You Arrive

  • Read and complete the Pittsburgh Mercy COVID-19 Immunization Registration, Acknowledgement, and Consent Form, located in the section titled Helpful COVID-19 Vaccine Resources. If you need help completing the form or do not have access to a printer, we will give you the form and help you complete it at your appointment.
  • Read as much as you can about the COVID-19 vaccine, including the Vaccine Information Sheet (sometimes called Vaccine Fact Sheet) and other resources listed in the Helpful COVID-19 Resources section at the bottom of this page.
  • Write down questions you have about your health and the vaccine.
  • Talk with your doctor ahead of time to see if the vaccine is right for you.
  • Plan what you will wear to your appointment. We recommend wearing a short-sleeve shirt and loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
  • Plan how you will get to your appointment. Some ride-sharing services are offering free transportation to vaccination appointments. Call United Way 2-1-1 for information.
  • If you have a history of allergies and carry an EpiPen®, please bring it to your appointment. If you forget, it’s OK. We have them at our vaccination sites.
  • To help stop the spread of the virus, please continue to wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, avoid crowds and gatherings, and wash your hands. If you do not feel well on the day of your appointment, stay home.
  • Optional, but encouraged: Sign up for v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after your COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Optional: Use an ice pack or a cool pack on your arm for 20 minutes prior to your appointment.

What to Bring With You to Your Appointment

  • Your signed Pittsburgh Mercy COVID-19 Immunization Registration, Acknowledgement, and Consent Form, located in the section titled Helpful COVID-19 Vaccine Resources. (Bring the form to your Dose 1 and Dose 2 appointments.) If you need help completing the form or do not have access to a printer, we can give you the form and help you complete it at your appointment.
  • Wear your mask. If you do not have one, we will give you one. If you cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, please tell us when you arrive.
  • Please stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Questions you may have.
  • Optional: An ice pack or a cool pack.

What to Bring With You When You Return for Your Second Appointment & Booster Appointments

  • If you receive the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, your second dose (Dose 2) will take place 28 days after your first dose (Dose 1). It is important that you get your second dose. You are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after you get your second dose.
  • If you receive the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine more than 2 months ago, the CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 booster shot.
  • Your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, the small white card that you received at your first appointment. If you have lost your card, please let us know when you arrive for your appointment. We may be able to help you get a new one.
  • Your signed Pittsburgh Mercy COVID-19 Immunization Registration, Acknowledgement, and Consent Form, located in the section titled Helpful COVID-19 Vaccine Resources. If you need help completing the form or do not have access to a printer, we can give you the form and help you complete it at your appointment.
  • Wear your mask. If you do not have one, we will give you one. If you cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, please tell us when you arrive for your appointment.
  • Please stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Questions you may have.
  • Optional: An ice pack or a cool pack.

What You Can Expect

The vaccination process takes approximately 30 minutes, start to finish. The vaccination itself takes less than 30 seconds. If you have a history of allergies, you may need to stay 15-30 minutes longer so we can observe you.

  • Our vaccination sites are fully accessible. If driving, limited free parking is available.
  • One of our friendly team will greet you, welcome you, register you, ask you a few questions, answer your questions, vaccinate you, tell you when to come for back for an additional dose (if needed), and give you a U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, also known as a “vaccination card” or a “vaccine card.” Keep your vaccination card in a secure place where you keep other important documents. Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not laminate your card.
  • Please stay for 15 minutes after you are vaccinated. Note: Persons with a history of severe allergies will be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination. Be sure to tell our staff if you are experiencing any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary to you.
  • Please keep your mask on at all times and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Please do not eat or drink until after you leave the building.

After You Leave

  • Optional: Use an ice pack or a cool pack on your arm for 20 minutes.
  • Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area you were vaccinated.
  • Use or exercise your arm frequently.
  • Dress in light, comfortable, and loose-fitting clothes.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Monitor your health.
  • Soreness in the arm in which you were vaccinated is a common side effect. 7 out of 10 people who get the vaccine will experience soreness like they would after a bee sting. If the soreness does not improve or increases after 24 hours, call your doctor and ask about taking over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • If you have any symptoms that concern you, or if your side effects do not go away within a few days, please let us know and call your doctor.
  • If you develop a tickle or tingling in your throat, hives, rash, feel faint, a racing or pounding heart, or have trouble breathing, do not wait. Seek immediate medical attention. Call your doctor or call 911. Also, call your vaccination provider (if different from your doctor).
  • Optional, but encouraged: Sign up for v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after your COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Store your COVID-19 vaccination card in a clean, dry place and away from sunlight and moisture. Do not laminate your card.
  • Even after you have been fully vaccinated (greater than 2 weeks after you receive your second dose of a two-dose vaccine or greater than 2 weeks after you receive your first dose of a one-dose vaccine), and until the pandemic is over, please continue to wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, avoid crowds and gatherings, and wash your hands. Continued practice of these important safety measures protects you and vulnerable people and communities who have not been vaccinated.
  • Become a vaccine ambassador.
    • Talk about your vaccination experience with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others. Encourage them to get vaccinated when it’s their turn.
    • Follow Pittsburgh Mercy and Trinity Health on social media.
    • Share COVID-19 vaccine facts and trusted resources.

Helpful COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

We put together this list of trusted, helpful resources where you can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines and more.

Pittsburgh Mercy COVID-19 Immunization Registration, Acknowledgement, & Consent Form

Language Assistance Resources

  • For the Non-English Speaking/English as a Second Language Community

Please use the language assistance tool in the lower right portion of the screen. If you require additional assistance, please contact 1-877-637-2924.

  • For the Hard of Hearing & Deaf Communities

Please contact our Specialized Service Coordination Unit at 412-515-8225. Note: This telephone number is only for use by members of the hard of hearing and deaf communities.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine & Spikevax Resources

Note: Pittsburgh Mercy offers the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine information are provided for your information.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine & Comirnaty Resources

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Other Helpful COVID-19 Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the COVID-19 Vaccines

We know you have many questions. We’re listening. We put together this list of Frequently Asked Questions to empower you in your vaccine decision making. If you have questions specific to your health, please discuss with your doctor prior to your vaccination appointment.

What is a vaccine, and how does it work?

Think of a vaccine as a way for your immune system to practice for a virus. Vaccines give the body a preview of one or more features of a virus before you get the actual virus. Due to the vaccine, the immune system develops a memory of how to react and stop the virus once you are exposed to it. The vaccine allows the immune system to produce antibodies that latch onto the spike protein that makes coronaviruses unique. (Coronarviruses got their name because the viruses have protein spikes that look like a crown.) This allows the immune system to quickly recognize the actual coronaviruses and interfere with its ability to multiply. The idea is to stop SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from getting into cells, replicating itself, and making us sick.

Which COVID-19 vaccine is Pittsburgh Mercy administering?

Pittsburgh Mercy is currently administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved for  use in adults ages 18 years and older.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use and approved for use by the FDA were tested in large clinical trials to assess their safety. No vaccine will receive approval to be used outside of a clinical trial unless at least two months have gone by after the final shot in order to monitor for safety concerns. It may take more time, and more people getting vaccinated before we learn about extremely rare side effects. That is why safety monitoring will continue even after the vaccines are approved for use, as is done for all vaccines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) each have independent groups of experts that review all of the safety data as it comes in and provide regular safety updates. If a safety issue is detected, immediate action will take place to determine if the issue is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the best course of action. Learn more about the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and Biologic License Application (BLA) processes. Watch a video describing the FDA EUA process.

Was diversity considered in the clinical trials?

Yes, the phase 3 clinical trials conducted by the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers included significant numbers of participants from the population groups most at risk for COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech included 44,000 participants: 81.4% White, 26.2% Latinx, 9% Black, and 4.4% Asian. Moderna included 30,541 participants: 79.2% White, 20.6% Latinx, 10.3% Black, 4.3% Asian. The remainder of each trial consisted of Native American, Pacific Islander, and multiple other races. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen included 43,783 participants from three continents: 59% White, 45% Latinx, 19% Black, 9% Native American, and 3% Asian.

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?

People with underlying medical conditions can receive the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines provided they have not had an immediate or a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients of the vaccine. Learn more about considerations for people with underlying medical conditions. If you have questions specific to your health, please discuss with your health care provider.

I am immunocompromised. Should I receive a COVID-19 vaccine? Is it as effective for immunocompromised people like me?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose (or doses) of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial doses. This includes people who have:

  • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancer of the blood
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medication to suppress the immune system
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose cortiosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose (or doses) is right for them.

I live with someone who is immunocompromised. Should I be vaccinated?

Yes. People who live with people who are immunocompromised or have weak immune systems should get a COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and those they live with.

I have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines like the flu vaccine. Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to vaccines, talk with your doctor before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 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. If you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccination or any other type of vaccination, talk with your health care professional. Talking to them may be helpful, but is not required in order to be vaccinated.  Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Can my child be vaccinated?

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone ages 5 years and older:

  • The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for everyone ages 5 years and older.
  • The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 years and older.
  • The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for individuals ages 18 years and older.

Additional study of the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in infants and children under the age of 5 are under way. Now may be a good time to get caught up on other child and adolescent vaccinations and well visits you may have put off due to COVID-19. It will also give you the chance to discuss questions with your child’s doctor.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective?

The COVID-19 vaccines that have received U.S. Food & Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorizations (FDA EUAs) have high efficacy (effectiveness) rates.

  • The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective after two doses.
  • The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is 94.1% effective after two doses.
  • The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech vaccine is 66.3% effective after one dose.

What are the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines?

Vaccine ingredients vary by manufacturer. The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex. For a full list of ingredients, please refer to each vaccine’s Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers:

What side effects can I expect after I am vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection against the virus. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. The most common side effects include pain/redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle/joint aches, and low-grade fever. The side effects respond well to over-the-counter acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (such as Advil). In most cases, discomfort from fever or pain is normal. Side effects may be more pronounced after the second dose of the vaccine. Contact your doctor or health care provider:

  • If the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
  • If your side effects concern you or do not seem to be going away after a few days.

Important: Please report any side effects that seem unusual or concerning to you to your doctor, to your vaccination site, and to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). If you have a smartphone, you can download v-safe, an after-vaccination health checker tool and app.

What are the long-term side effects from the vaccines?

Because COVID and the COVID-19 vaccines are relatively new, very little data about long-term side effects is available. However, this is something that public health officials are watching closely over the long-term. These vaccines will continue to be held to the same high safety standards as all vaccines.

If I have a reaction after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, what should I do?

Serious problems from vaccination – whether the COVID-19 vaccine or another type of vaccine – are rare. Anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) has occurred in only 2-5 people per every 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine that have been administered*. When you get a COVID-19 vaccine, you will be monitored for 15 minutes after your appointment (30 minutes if you have a history of severe allergies). If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after you leave the vaccination clinic, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology. The vaccines do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA technology has been used in science for many years. The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines do not affect or interact with our genetic makeup (DNA) in any way.

Someone I know tested positive for COVID-19 a few days after getting the vaccine. How is that possible?

You cannot contract COVID-19 from the vaccine. It takes at least two weeks for your body to develop immunity after getting the vaccine. The person may have been infected with the virus but not shown symptoms, or they could have contracted the virus a few days before their body developed immunity in response to the vaccine. In rare instances, “breakthrough” COVID-19 cases have been reported post-vaccination. In these instances, the symptoms have been milder. All of the COVID-19 vaccines in use are highly effective. None are 100% effective.

How were the vaccines produced so fast?

Under normal circumstances, from pre-clinical trial testing to distribution, a vaccine takes roughly 72 months, or 6 years, to develop. Under the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed (OWS) initiative, the timeline to develop a COVID-19 vaccine was reduced to only 14 months. According to the CDC, OWS provided the resources and funding needed from the federal government to create highly coordinated efforts, which accelerated development while maintaining standards for safety. The vaccines were developed in response to worldwide demand and the urgent need to stop this pandemic. The vaccines that are in use went through rigorous scientific review process. No steps were skipped or missed during the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization (FDA EUA) process. The COVID-19 vaccines are among the most widely studied vaccines in U.S. history.

Do I need more than one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC recommends staying up to date with all of the recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Staying up to date ensures optimal protection from severe disease from COVID-19. Persons who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) should speak with their health care provider about additional doses.

Can I get the vaccine if I am not feeling well?

If you are not feeling well, it is recommended that you wait until you feel better to get the vaccine. If you are unsure, contact your health care provider.

What is the timing for my next dose?

The timing between of your next dose depends on which vaccine you received.

  • The CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older get a COVID-19 booster shot.
  • If you receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you will get your second dose 3 weeks (21 days) after your first dose. If it has been at least 6 months since your second dose, you are eligible for a booster shot.
  • If you receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you will get your second dose 4 weeks (28 days) after your first dose. If it has been at least 6 months since your second dose, you are eligible for a booster shot.
  • If you receive the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech COVID-19 vaccine, you can get a booster 2 months after your initial dose.
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely receive an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who have:
    • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancer of the blood
    • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
    • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medication to suppress the immune system
    • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
    • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
    • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.
  • People who are immunocompromised should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is right for them.
  • The timing of the third dose for persons who are immunocompromised should be at least 4 weeks after you have had your second dose of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-vaccine.
  • Second booster shots can be administered at least 4 months after the initial booster shot.

Do I need to schedule a second-dose appointment?

If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, your second-dose appointment was automatically scheduled when you made your first-dose appointment. For example, if you received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, your second-dose appointment will be 28 calendar days later at the same time of day that you received your first dose.

You should get your next dose as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, your second dose may be give up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get the second dose early. There is currently limited information on the effectiveness of receiving your second shot earlier than recommended or later than 6 weeks after the first dose.

However, if you do receive your second shot of COVID-19 vaccine sooner or later than recommended, you do not have to restart the vaccine series. This guidance may be updated as more information becomes available.

The date and time of your second vaccination was noted on the vaccination card that you received at your first appointment. If you have lost or misplaced your vaccination card, let your vaccinator know when you arrive for your second-dose appointment.

Note: If you received your COVID-19 vaccination from another provider and have lost your card, contact your vaccination provider for a new vaccination card.

What if I missed my second dose or my booster appointment?

People who miss their second dose or booster vaccination appointments more than a few days past the recommended time should still get their next dose as soon as possible to ensure the most protection.

Do I need an appointment?

Appointments are encouraged.

When will I be considered “fully vaccinated?”

It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. People are considered fully vaccinated:

  • > 2 weeks after the second shot in a two-shot series, like the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
  • > 2 weeks after getting the single shot of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Biotech COVID-19 vaccine.

You are not fully vaccinated if:

  • It has been less than 2 weeks since your one-dose shot.
  • It has been less than 2 weeks since your second shot in a two-dose series.
  • You still need to get your second dose of a two-dose series.

How long does the COVID-19 vaccine protect for?

It is not yet known long the vaccine protects against the virus. Studies are ongoing. Determination will be made by the CDC and FDA based on any concern over waning immunity and need for additional protection against new variants that might develop.

What is herd immunity?

Herd immunity is when enough of a population has immunity against a disease that it can no longer spread. The herd immunity threshold for coronavirus is not known. However, it is thought to be between 60 and 80% of the population. Herd immunity can be reached through vaccine immunization or through natural infection.

Will COVID-19 ever be eliminated? Will the COVID-19 vaccine become like the flu vaccine, where it is required annually?

It is expected that COVID-19 will be with us for some time, and an annual vaccine may be required to protect against it.

Can I get my COVID-19 vaccination at the same time as another vaccination?

Yes. You may receive the COVID-19 vaccination at the same time as other vaccines, provided they are not given in the same arm.

I’ve already had and have recovered from COVID-19. Do I need to be vaccinated?

Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. At this time, experts do not yet know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gets from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long. Experts won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until more data is available on how well it works. Once you have fully recovered from COVID-19 infection, which for most people is 10 days, you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. If you were hospitalized for COVID-19, you may have received certain medical treatments to help you recover. If you were hospitalized for COVID-19, please check with your primary care provider before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Your doctor may advise you to wait before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

If I already had COVID-19, will I have a strong reaction to the vaccine?

There is no connection between those who have had strong immune system response to the vaccine and those who have had the virus.

Will the vaccine help the long-term effects of someone who has had COVID-19, but is not vaccinated?

The vaccine will protect the person who recovered from COVID-19 from getting severely sick again. There is not enough information to know if it will help with “long haul” symptoms.

Will I have to pay for the vaccine?

No. The federal government is providing the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance statuses.

Is it possible for the COVID-19 vaccine to give me COVID-19?

No, the COVID-19 vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. None of the vaccines in development in the U.S. use the live virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it is possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests?

Vaccines currently in use in the U.S. will not cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, you will likely test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate if you have had a previous infection or that you have been vaccinated successfully and that you have may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts continue to look at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody test results and how long immunity lasts after vaccination.

I’ve already had a flu shot. Will it also protect me from getting COVID-19?

No. A flu vaccine will not protect you from getting COVID-19, but it can protect you from getting influenza (the flu) at the same time as COVID-19. This can keep you from having more severe illness. The COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine are both important, safe, and effective.

What can I do to protect myself before and after getting the vaccine?

We don’t yet know whether getting the COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Until we learn more, it will take all of us continuing to work together to help stop this pandemic. To protect yourself and others, please continue to do the following, even after you’ve been vaccinated:

  • Wear a well-fitted mask that covers your nose and mouth.
  • Stay at least 6 feet from others.
  • Avoid crowds, gatherings, and unnecessary travel.
  • Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
  • If you experience COVID-19 symptoms, get tested.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine protect me from the variants?

This is something that scientists and public health experts continue to study. Preliminary data shows that the COVID-19 vaccines do work against Alpha, Delta, Omicron, Omicron BA.2, and other coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants and are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.

For more FAQs and other helpful information, please visit the Allegheny County Health Department, Pennsylvania Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) websites.

Last Updated: May 6, 2022

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