Coronavirus Vaccine Information

(Ohio) ODH Information Hotline: (833) 427-5634

Covid-19 Vaccination Update - Ohio
May 21, 2021

  • All individuals aged 16 & older
    • Individuals under the age of 18 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at this time.
    • A parent or guardian must accompany individuals under 18 years of age.
  • Visit https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ to pick from a list of providers in your area.
  • Call United Way’s 2-1-1: Available to assist those who are disabled, multilingual support, have no access to technology, or are experiencing technical difficulties.
  • Call the Area Office on Aging: Service available for older adults in the community who need assistance scheduling appointments. Phone: 419-382-0624

What you need to know:

  • A photo ID or another form of identification will be required at the vaccination site, please bring your insurance card as well.
  • If you will be receiving your vaccine at McLaren St. Luke’s, please enter the campus using driveway 4.
  • Follow the signs to the Business Center parking lot.
  • Do not get out of your car. A member of our team will direct you where to park.
  • After receiving your vaccine, you must stay in your car and on the campus for 15 minutes. Instructions will be given to you after receiving your vaccine.

Things To Know (CDC)

  • The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. CDC has developed a new tool, v-safe, as an additional layer of safety monitoring to increase the ability to rapidly detect any safety issues with COVID-19 vaccines. V-safe is a new smartphone-based, after-vaccination health checker for people who receive COVID-19 vaccines.
  • COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. Two doses are needed. Depending on the specific vaccine you get, a second shot 3-4 weeks after your first shot is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer against this serious disease.
  • Cost is not an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers may be able to charge administration fees for giving the shot.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are one of many important tools to help us stop this pandemic. It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why COVID-19 vaccination is important 

Will COVID-19 vaccination help keep me from getting COVID-19? 

Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Stopping the pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. 

What to expect when you get vaccinated 

Is there a cost to get vaccinated?

You will NOT be asked to pay ANY FEE for receiving the vaccine.

Any and all medically eligible people wishing to receive the vaccine may do so without paying ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COST - regardless of an individual’s ability to pay and regardless of their health insurance coverage status.

Vaccine providers (ex. hospitals, retail pharmacies, physician offices) HAVE THE OPTION of charging the patient’s health insurance company a small administrative fee to cover administration costs for the vaccine. The health insurance company is prohibited from passing this cost onto the patient.

Will more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine be required?

Yes. The current vaccines need two shots to be effective. It is very important that you receive the vaccine from the same manufacturer both times and get the doses within the required time frame to ensure the best protection from COVID-19. If you receive the Pfizer vaccine the second dose needs to be 21 days after the first dose, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine needs to be 28 days after the first.

How will I be reminded to get the second dose?

COVID-19 vaccination record cards (reminder cards) will be provided when you receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The card provides room for a written reminder for a second-dose appointment. If you have a smartphone, consider taking a photo of your vaccination record and entering the date the next vaccine dose is due in your calendar.

To ensure the best protection from COVID-19, it is very important to not skip the second dose. The second dose must be from the same vaccine manufacturer, so it will be important to ensure that where you receive your second dose has the right vaccine. If you can, it would be best to follow up with the same provider who gave you your first shot.

Will people who have already had COVID-19 be able to get vaccinated?

Yes. People who have had COVID-19 can still get a vaccine. CDC recommends getting it after you have recovered. You should check with your health care provider if you have questions.

If I already had COVID-19, should I get vaccinated? Shouldn’t I be immune?

Yes, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine, even if you have had COVID-19. There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this.

Do I need to keep wearing a mask after I get vaccinated?

Yes. You should continue to wear masks, social distance from those not in their household and wash their hands, even after receiving vaccine. More information is available on the CDC website in their FAQ document.

Safety of the vaccine

Is the vaccine safe?

We understand that some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated. Safety is the first priority. The process used to approve the COVID-19 vaccines is the same proven process that was used to create safe and effective vaccines for the flu, polio, measles, whooping cough and more. While the COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine authorized or approved for use.

More information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is available at the CDC website:

Can this vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. This vaccine gives your body a code which helps it recognize the virus, so your body can fight it off in the future.

Can I get other vaccines at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine?

CDC recommends that no other vaccine be given 14 days before or after you get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Can women who are pregnant get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant may be offered the vaccine, if they are in one of the vaccine priority groups and in consultation with their health care provider.

Are there any tests people have to get before getting the vaccine?

The CDC is not recommending a routine pregnancy test or an antibody blood test for COVID-19 before you get the vaccine. You should talk with your health care provider about any questions you have due to your personal, specific medical history.

Does the vaccine have any side effects?

After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some mild side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. You may experience a low-grade fever, headache, and just a general feeling of “not yourself”. These are signs that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to, which is produce an immune response for you to have protection against this disease.

Can people with a history of allergic reactions get the vaccine?

Most people who have food or environmental allergies can still get the vaccine. Prior to getting vaccinated, talk to your health care provider if you have had any severe reactions to medicines or vaccines in the past. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare and severe allergic reactions.

Vaccine distribution/prioritization

Can I get the second dose of the vaccine in a different state than where I got the first dose?

It’s important to get the second dose of the same vaccine in the time frame required for your vaccine. You might be able to get that in a different state, but you should check before traveling to ensure availability in that state. Consult that state’s COVID-19 vaccine website. Make sure you have your immunization records, including the card when you get your first dose.