COVID-19 Vaccine Facts In Correctional Facilities Part 2

Vaccine doses Primary vaccine series
• Most COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to work best. This is called a primary vaccine series. Two doses are needed for the mRNA Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines. The time between doses depends on which vaccine someone is getting. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-dose vaccine.
• Every person who gets vaccinated will receive a vaccine card after their first dose that says what vaccine product they got and when they got it. The medical provider who gave the vaccine will enter this information into Minnesota’s immunization information system. This information helps the next medical provider know what vaccine was given and when before they give someone any additional vaccine. Information entered in the immunization system is private health data. Only people with authorized access can use this system.
• Someone should get vaccinated even if they will be released or moving to another facility before they are due for the next dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Plenty of vaccine is available for people in correctional facilities and out in the community, so getting the next dose is not going to be a problem.
• After the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, it takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection. After those two weeks, a fully vaccinated person has good protection against COVID-19.
COVID-19 VACCINES DO NOT HAVE:
• Microchips
• Live COVID-19 virus
• Fetal tissue
• Pork prodcuts
• Egg
• Preservatives
Booster doses
A booster dose is given when protection from the original vaccination decreases. The booster dose helps build protection back to a higher level. The initial vaccine series still gives some protection over time, but a booster dose when recommended offers the most protection.
All people ages 5 and older should get a booster dose when recommended. People who got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster dose two months after their first dose. People age 5 and older who got Pfizer or people age 18 and older who
got the Moderna vaccine should get a booster five months after their primary series. At this time, people who get the Novavax vaccine and people younger than 18 who got the Moderna vaccine for their primary vaccine series are not recommended to get a booster shot, but one may be recommended in the future.
CDC recommends that certain people get a second booster shot four months after their first booster to enhance their protection.
• People age 50 years and older.
• People age 12-49 years who have certain immunocompromising conditions.
• People age 18 and older who received Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for their initial dose and booster dose.
Pfizer is the only booster option for kids ages 5 through 17. People under age 18 who got the Moderna vaccine are not recommended to get a booster at this time. People ages 18 and older can get any COVID-19 vaccine for their booster, but they should get Pfizer or Moderna if either of these is available. It is not known yet how often people may need to get booster doses in the future.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
Some people may not have good protection from their primary COVID-19 vaccine series because of a weakened immune system, which may be caused by an illness or related treatment. An extra dose as part of their primary series, and a booster dose, can improve protection for these people.
People that are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised include those:
• Receiving cancer treatment
• Taking medicine that suppresses the immune response • With advanced HIV infection
If someone has an immunocompromising condition, they should talk to a medical provider about their medical condition and when to get an additional dose and booster dose.
SIDE EFFECTS
Some side effects are common after vaccination. Side effects mean that the body is responding to the vaccine, but it is also OK if someone has no side effects at all. You may have:
A sore arm Muscle aches Tiredness Headache Fever/chills
Serious side effects are rare. Notify medical staff if side effects get worse.