UPDATED FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE

WHY SHOULD I RECEIVE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19?

Protection! For yourself, your family, your friends, and your co-workers.

A COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 or keep you from becoming seriously ill if you get COVID-19. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the pathway towards stopping the pandemic. FOR MOST PEOPLE, THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.

AM I A CANDIDATE TO GET A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19?

YES!  A COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone who is 12 years of age and older.

The only contraindication is a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components, including sensitivity to PEG (polyethylene glycol).  If you are concerned that you may have an allergy to PEG or the vaccine, please schedule PEG testing and a consultation with your FAAC Provider.

HOW DO I KNOW THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS SAFE?

Experience.  To date, almost 5 billion people worldwide have safely received a COVID-19 vaccination. Safety has been demonstrated across a broad range of the population, including different ages, races, ethnicities, and those with different medical conditions.

DOES FAMILY ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE OFFICE?

Family Allergy & Asthma Care is a registered site for COVID-19 vaccination administration.  We run a vaccine clinic about every two weeks.  If you would like to receive your COVID-19 vaccination at FAAC, please call the office to schedule. (972-539-0086). 

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 3 VACCINES AVAILABLE IN THE US, WHICH VACCINE SHOULD I TAKE?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (mRNA vaccines) are similar and are equally safe and effective. They both require two vaccinations to be considered fully vaccinated. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is administered 18-23 days after the first vaccination, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is administered 28 days after the first vaccination. The Pfizer vaccination is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for people ages 12 and older.  The Moderna is currently approved for people 18 and older.  The Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is currently administered as a single dose and indicated for adults 18 and older. Patients with a history of Guillain Barre and women ages 18 – 49 should discuss the risk benefits of the J&J vaccine with their provider.

CAN I GET COVID -19 FROM THE VACCINE?

No!  None of the COVID-19 vaccinations contain any live virus. The COVID -19 vaccines activate your immune cells to make antibodies against the spike protein of the virus, which means that if/when you are exposed to the virus, you will already have protective antibodies waiting and ready to go. 

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE VACCINE?

Most people do not have serious problems after being vaccinated. Your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch at the injection site, as can happen with injections of any kind. As sometimes happens with any type of vaccine, some people may experience a low-grade fever, headache, and fatigue during the first 24 hours. These symptoms usually go away on their own and a sign that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do: working and building up protection against disease.

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

No long-term side effects have been identified. The FDA and the CDC are continuing to monitor safety in the larger population, as they do with all new such medical products. Part of the monitoring includes a phone app that sends recipients routine texts to ask brief questions, which monitor side effects. The information goes directly to the CDC.

Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, has been reported in a very small number of young adults after receiving a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccination.  Most cases were mild, and all were successfully treated.

There’s a possible but rare risk in developing Guillain-Barre syndrome after the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine. To date, no cases of GBS have been seen in people vaccinated for COVID-19 with the mRNA vaccines.

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome – a syndrome of blood clots occurring with low platelets (after J&J). TTS has occurred after receiving the J& J/Janssen COVID 19 vaccine and not after the mRNA vaccines at a rate of about 7 per 1 million vaccinated women between 18 and 49 years old.  For women 50 years or older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare.

WHAT ABOUT ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO THE VACCINE?

There have been reports of a few patients experiencing anaphylaxis after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, the CDC issued guidance related to the COVID-19 vaccines and severe allergic reactions. Please schedule a televisit with your FAAC provider if you have a history of anaphylaxis, mast cell disease, or concerns about receiving the vaccine. 

SHOULD I RECEIVE A VACCINATION IF I HAVE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO AN ALLERGY INJECTION OR A STINGING INSECT OR IF I HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY?

YES! However, if you have a history of anaphylaxis for any reason, we recommend that your vaccination is administered in a facility that is able to treat allergic reactions and that you are observed for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine.

If you have specific questions or concerns about the vaccine and whether you are a candidate to receive it, please schedule a televisit to talk with us about it.

CAN I GET A COVID VACCINE ON THE SAME DAY I GET MY ALLERGY INJECTION? OR XOLAIR OR OTHER BIOLOGIC? GAMMA GLOBULIN INFUSION?

 Please allow 24 hours before and 24 hours after receiving COVID19 Vaccine before getting your allergy injection, Xolair, or other biologic.

I HAVE ALREADY HAD COVID – DO I STILL NEED TO TAKE THE VACCINE?

Yes. The immunity offered by the vaccine is better and offers longer protection than the virus itself – especially to the delta variant of SARS -CoV2 virus.

HOW SOON AFTER RECOVERING FROM COVID CAN I GET THE VACCINE?

It is recommended that you receive the COVID-19 vaccine after you have completely recovered from COVID.  If you received convalescent serum or monoclonal antibodies, you should wait at least 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccination. If you have “long-haul” COVID symptoms, consider getting a vaccination as a treatment option for this syndrome.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO GET A COVID VACCINE? IS IT LIKE THE FLU SHOT, AND I WILL NEED TO GET IT ANNUALLY?

Due to the recent outbreak of the Delta variant strain of COVID-19, booster doses are recommended and necessary for anyone who is immunocompromised.  It appears possible that others may benefit from a booster vaccination. 

Please visit for https://faaccares.com/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/FAAC COVID-19 updates.