Providence COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

The COVID-19 vaccines available today are safe and highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalizations and death. They are helping to slow the spread of the virus and are significantly minimizing illness in those who contract it. Vaccinated – and especially boosted – people are overwhelmingly avoiding severe illness, hospitalization and death as a result of COVID-19. With every person who gets vaccinated, we get a little closer to ending this pandemic.

While the COVID-19 vaccines available today in the U.S. are highly effective, no vaccine is 100% successful at preventing illness. Cases of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated people, called breakthrough cases, can happen. We know that vaccinated individuals who experience a breakthrough infection become less ill and are at a lower risk of hospitalization and death than those who are not vaccinated. In fact, the vast majority of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the U.S. right now are unvaccinated, reaffirming that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting against severe cases of the disease, hospitalization and death.

The FDA and CDC determined that the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. today are safe and highly effective in preventing COVID-19 and severe illness caused by COVID-19. The CDC recommends that everyone 12 years and older be vaccinated for COVID-19 to safely and effectively protect against getting or spreading the virus. We carefully review the vaccines and their data prior to providing it to patients and caregivers and will continue to do so as new vaccines become available. We always put safety first.

We know there is a small risk of side effects associated with all vaccines, but the majority of the time side effects are less serious than the diseases themselves. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. The COVID-19 vaccines available today in the U.S. may cause mild to moderate symptoms for some people. These symptoms can include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and fever. In very rare instances, a more serious reaction may occur. For more information on what to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC website.

Clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines available today included Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and white participants. The goal of any vaccine trial is to ensure that as much of the general population as possible is represented. Vaccine manufacturers published their participant breakdown (here, here and here).

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines available today in the U.S. affect or harm fertility in women or cause sterility in men. Watch Dr. Shaina Rogers address concerns about fertility. Women who are pregnant are eligible to receive it. It’s recommended that pregnant women discuss their options with a health care provider, so that they can make decisions that are right for them when they become eligible to receive a vaccine. Dr. Danelle Fisher address the safety of the COVID vaccine for pregnant individuals in this video.

We know that vaccines are effective and can reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. For this reason, we’re encouraging everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated. We’re getting closer to ending this pandemic every day and with each person who gets vaccinated.

Yes, you should still get the vaccine even if you have already had COVID-19. It is possible, although rare, to contract the virus again and become reinfected with COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection varies from person to person, and experts are still learning how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Studies also show that the vaccine can give a strong boost in immunity to someone who has already recovered from COVID-19. Plus, getting vaccinated is a much safer way to build immunity than getting the virus itself.

Note: If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma or have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-A or MIS-C), there are some additional clinical guidelines regarding vaccination. Learn more here and talk with your provider.

The CDC has received reports of a type of heart inflammation called myocarditis or pericarditis in adolescents and young adults after COVID-19 vaccination. These reports are rare, given the hundreds of millions of vaccine doses administered to date. Leading doctors, nurses and public health leaders, including the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for anyone 12 years of age and older, as the known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks, including the possible risk of these types of heart inflammation. While Providence recommends everyone who can get the vaccine do, including those 12-17 years of age, we know it might not be right for all. Talk with your child’s health care provider to discuss what options are available and right for your family, and the benefits and potential risks of the vaccine. More information about these reports and what to know can be found here.

Information about COVID-19 and the vaccines is changing rapidly. The following information is current as of Sept. 29, 2021. Check the CDC website for the latest guidance.

An additional dose or booster of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines is recommended and authorized for select patient populations:

• Moderately to severely immunocompromised patients can receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more here. Recommendations for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are still being evaluated.
• People aged 65 years and older, residents in long-term care settings, and people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions can receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Other groups may receive a booster shot based on their risk, including occupation. Learn more here. Recommendations are expected soon for those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you are eligible to receive an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine and have questions, please contact your health care provider to discuss what's right for you and your health.

COVID-19 vaccines are easy to get and are available at a variety of settings, including most pharmacies. Please note that many care sites don’t accept walk-ins for vaccines. Please call ahead to confirm availability and to schedule an appointment, if needed.