Why get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Stopping the spread of COVID-19 requires all of the tools available. Together, vaccination and important public health practices offer the best protection form COVID-19. There are many reasons why people choose to get vaccinate for COVID-19.

Below are a few key points from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Department of Health and Human Services:

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Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Answers

Do you have questions about myths that you have heard about COVID-19 vaccine? Ask us! Some common myths include:

Q: Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
A: Yes. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you.

Q: Do COVID-19 vaccines alter DNA?
A: No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

Q: Will COVID-19 vaccines make you sick with COVID-19?
A: No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.

The CDC has answered more commonly asked questions here. 

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Vaccine Safety

  • COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Pfizer Comirnaty was approved by the FDA on August 23, 2021 for those 16 years of age and older. It is also authorized under EUA for those aged 6 months-15 years old. Moderna Spikevax was approved by the FDA on January 21, 2022 for those 18 years of age and older. It is also authorized under EUA for those aged 6 months-17 years old. Johnson&Johnson is approved under EUA.
  • Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
  • CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
  • Information on Pfizer Comirnaty
  • Information on Moderna Spikevax
  • Information on J&J/Jassen

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Getting Your Vaccine

  • COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone aged 6 months and older in the United States.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are free of cost at most locations, including Scenic Bluffs.
  • You do not need health insurance, a Social Security Number or government ID to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you have these items, please bring them with you to your appointment.

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How to Schedule an Appointment

There are many COVID-19 vaccine providers in western Wisconsin. To find a location close to you, visit Vaccines.gov. Because every location handles appointments differently, you will need to schedule your appointment directly with the location you choose. We also recommend contacting your local health department for more information on appointments near you.

Scenic Bluffs provides COVID-19 vaccine appointments weekly at our Health Center in Cashton. Online appointment scheduling is available through the link below, or call us at 608-654-5100, extension 419 to schedule an appointment by phone.

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After Getting Vaccinated

  • After getting vaccinated, you may have some common side-effects, such as a sore arm and fatigue. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection.
  • You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your second vaccine dose (Pfizer Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax), or 2 weeks after your one dose vaccine (J&J/Jassen).
  • If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, a third vaccine dose (Pfizer Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax) may be recommended by your provider. If recommended, you can receive a third vaccine dose 28 days after your second vaccine dose.
  • If you received Pfizer Comirnaty, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 5 months after your second dose. A booster dose is recommended to those 5+. A second booster dose is currently recommended to those 50+, at least 4 months after your first booster dose.
  • If you received Moderna Spikevax, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 5 months after your second dose. A booster dose is recommended to those 18+.
  • If you received Johnson& Johnson, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 2 months after your shot (available tothose 18+).
  • Other prevention steps help stop the spread of COVID-19, and that these steps are still important, even as vaccines are being distributed.

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Who Needs a Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose?

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose of either Pfizer Comirnaty (ages 5+) or Moderna Spikevax vaccines.

  • This additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series is not the same as a booster dose, given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time.
  • CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine.

Moderately to severely immunocompromised people include those that have:

  • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers 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 medicine 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 should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

For additional information, please review the CDC guidance here.

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Who needs a COVID-19 Booster Dose?

A “booster dose” is a supplemental vaccine dose given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have decreased over time. The primary COVID-19 vaccination series continues to be highly effective at reducing severe disease, hospitalization, and death caused by COVID-19. However, experts are beginning to see that protection against mild to moderate disease can fade over time. The booster dose is intended to boost your immune system for better, long lasting protection. (Information provided by Wisconsin Department of Health Services)

  • If you received Pfizer Comirnaty, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 5 months after your second dose. A booster dose is recommended to those age 5+. A second booster dose is currently recommended to those 50+, at least 4 months after your first booster dose.
  • If you received Moderna Spikevax, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 5 months after your second dose. A booster dose is recommended to those age 18+.
  • If you received Johnson& Johnson, you are eligible for a booster dose at least 2 months after your shot (available tothose 18+).
  • You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. (Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

On June 18, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months-5 years old, expanding pediatric vaccine eligibility to all children and adolescents age 6 months and older. This vaccine is a 3-dose series. The second dose is three to eight weeks after the first dose, and the third dose more than eight weeks after the second.

On June 24, 2022 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine be used as an option for children ages 6 through 17 years, in addition to its already recommended use in children 6 months through 5 years and adults 18 years and older. This vaccine is a two-dose vaccine series: the second four to eight weeks after the first. 

Children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses, as with immunocompromised teens and adults.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens from the CDC.

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