Limited COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available in December 2020. The first doses will be reserved for health-care personnel, including skilled nursing facility staff, and first responders followed by residents of long term care facilities. The 2nd phase will target the most vulnerable communities based primarily on age, comorbidities, and/or congregate living conditions. It is anticipated that vaccine supply will increase substantially in 2021. The goal is for everyone to have equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. However, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away.
Initially, Marin County will receive 1,950 doses. Marin Health and Human Services expects to receive more allotments as time goes on, but additional shipment sizes and delivery timelines will greatly depend on vaccine production schedules.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
The federal government, under the umbrella of Operation Warp Speed, has been working since the start of the pandemic to make a COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully reviews all safety data from clinical trials and authorizes emergency vaccine use (EUA) only when the expected benefits outweigh potential risks. COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large clinical trials to make sure they meet safety standards. Many people (>30,000 for each trial) were recruited to participate in these trials to determine how the vaccines offers protection to people of different ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as those with different medical conditions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews all safety data before recommending any COVID-19 vaccine for use. Learn how ACIP makes vaccine recommendations. FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, to make sure even very rare side effects are identified.
To ensure the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other subject matter experts. The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership and vaccine planning efforts as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.
There are also several safety monitoring systems set up in the US, including:
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
- Vaccine safety datalink
- Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project (CISA)
- “V-safe”
These safety monitoring systems provide methods for checking in with vaccine recipients after vaccination and allow participants to report any side effects or health problems experienced after COVID-19 vaccination.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Yes. They are >90% effective based on vaccine efficacy clinical trial data. More information on how the COVID-19 vaccine works can be found on the CDC website.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
It is anticipated that vaccine supply will increase substantially in 2021 and that supply will be widely available to the public. The California Dept of Public Health is making sure that these supplies are distributed and administered equitably, which is informed by the NAESM Framework . As vaccine supply becomes more available, more information about where to obtain vaccine for groups of people within each priority tier will be posted on our COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
Not yet. Limited COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available starting in December 2020, and it is anticipated that vaccine supply will increase substantially in 2021. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. However, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away. The first doses will be reserved for people at risk of exposure to COVID through their work in health care or long-term care settings (such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and first responders), and residents of long-term care facilities for older adults and the medically vulnerable. We will be working with local partners including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, for vaccine distribution. Additionally, CVS and Walgreens have partnered with the CDC in a program to provide COVID vaccination to long term care facilities. Marin HHS has worked closely with local long-term care facilities to enroll facilities. More information is available on CDC’s Pharmacy Partnerships webpage.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. However, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away. The first doses will be reserved for people at risk of exposure to COVID through their work in health care or long-term care settings (such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and first responders), and residents of long-term care facilities for older adults and the medically vulnerable.
Limited COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available starting in December 2020, and it is anticipated that vaccine supply will increase substantially in 2021. We will be working with local partners including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, for vaccine distribution. Additionally, CVS and Walgreens have partnered with the CDC in a program to provide COVID vaccination to long term care facilities. Marin Health and Human Services has worked closely with local long-term care facilities to enroll facilities. More information about this program can be found on CDC’s pharmacy partnerships webpage.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Vaccine purchased by the U.S. government will be provided free of charge. Providers that participate in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program contractually agree to administer a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of an individual’s ability to pay and regardless of their coverage status, and also may not seek any reimbursement, including through balance billing, from a vaccine recipient. People without health insurance or whose insurance does not provide coverage of the vaccine can also get COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. Providers administering the vaccine to people without health insurance or whose insurance does not provide coverage of the vaccine can request reimbursement for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine through the Provider Relief Fund. Additional information can be found on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
COVID-19 vaccines are a critical part of the response to the pandemic. Even as they become available, it will be important to continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and wash hands often to reduce the spread of illness. The impact of the vaccines will depend on how effective they are at combating the virus, how quickly supplies of vaccine can be manufactured and delivered, and how many people get vaccinated. The clinical trial results for the initial vaccines we expect to become available are very promising. Government experts have suggested that vaccines will be widely available in the second half of 2021. If most people get the vaccine, the pandemic could be stopped.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Yes, for now. Even with a vaccine, people will still need to practice other infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, handwashing and other hygiene measures, which are helpful in preventing the spread of other illnesses, such as seasonal influenza. Wearing a mask is still mandatory when you leave your home for all California residents.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Most people do not have serious problems after being vaccinated. Live virus vaccines are known to cause more systemic side effects. This is not a live virus vaccine. It is an mRNA vaccine. However, your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. These symptoms usually go away on their own <72 hours. Some people report getting a headache or fever when getting a vaccine. These side effects are a sign that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. It is working and building up protection for the disease.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Nearly all COVID-19 vaccines being studied in the United States require two shots. The initial vaccine and the second vaccine must be from the same vaccine company (e.g., you cannot mix Moderna and Pfizer). The first shot starts building protection, but everyone must come back 3-4 weeks later for the second one to get the most protection the vaccine can offer. The first shot primes the immune system, helping it recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Both this disease and the vaccine are new. We don’t know how long protection lasts for those who get infected or those who are vaccinated. What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice. It is not known whether getting COVID-19 disease will protect everyone against getting it again, or, if it does, how long that protection might last.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
COVID-19 vaccines are being tested in large clinical trials (>30,000 participants) to assess their safety, a core analytical measure when studying all vaccines. However, it does take time and more people getting vaccinated before we learn about very rare or long-term side effects. That is why safety monitoring will continue. CDC has an independent group of experts that reviews all the safety data as it comes in and provides regular safety updates. If a safety issue is detected, immediate action will take place to determine if the issue is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the best course of action. Getting the vaccine is still the safer choice than the serious risk of COVID-19 infection.
To ensure the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other subject matter experts. The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership and vaccine planning efforts as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
The focus of COVID-19 vaccine development has been on adults. A COVID-19 vaccine may not be available for children and teens until more studies are completed.
Such studies are underway in older children and are planned in younger children. COVID-19 is generally less severe in children than adults; nevertheless, the risk of severe disease in children with underlying medical conditions, and the general desire to prevent COVID-19 in children remain compelling reasons for vaccine studies in children.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.