Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Are the approved vaccines safe and effective?
Yes! The COVID-19 vaccines have been determined to be safe and highly effective in preventing COVID-19 by the FDA, the government agency that oversees and regulates vaccine development and approval. Several independent groups in the US, most notably the ACIP, have endorsed the FDA approved vaccines and made recommendations for their use. Other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also found the vaccine safe and effective after rigorous evaluation.
While all vaccines carry a small risk of side effects, the majority of the time these side effects are much less serious than the diseases themselves. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. It may cause mild to moderate symptoms for some people. These symptoms caninclude pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and fever. In very rare instances, a more serious reaction may occur.
Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine was designed to protect you from contracting the virus or to limit the severity of the disease should you contract it. We know from other diseases and their vaccines that we can slow or stop the spread of disease when roughly 60 to 80 percent of a population gets vaccinated. These vaccines are our best shot at stopping the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting our communities.
Currently, our staff agrees that in a majority of cases the potential risks of the vaccine are outweighed by the known risks of COVID-19. We recommend that people get vaccinated when they are able. There are cases when vaccination would not be advisable or extra caution would be taken during vaccination. We are always happy to address any concerns in a telehealth or office visit to help you make the best health decision for you.
How do I access the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccination is proceeding via a phased approach in WA state that prioritizes those at highest risk starting with healthcare workers, first responders and elderly. More information about the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) roll out plan is available on their website under the COVID information tab.
Our clinic will not be distributing the COVID-19 vaccine due to lack of the proper equipment to store the vaccine and lack of staffing to facilitate vaccination. The WA DOH Online Phase Finder Tool can inform you of your eligibility, and also has a list of locations where the vaccine is being administered once you become eligible.