Vaccine Guidance FAQs

Watch Dr. Kirsten Lyke, a UM School of Medicine infectious disease expert, who was the principal investigator of the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial, provide an overview of the Pfizer vaccine. 

Also See: Dr. Faheem Younus, Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine physician at Upper Chesapeake Health, provides answers to common COVID vaccine questions.

Note: Content on this page will continue to be updated as additional details are confirmed. Please check back frequently to ensure you have the latest information.

Answering Your Questions About the Vaccine

Employees have submitted many thoughtful questions via our Submit a COVID Question link. We have gathered up the answers to those questions as a resource for you about the COVID vaccine and our employee vaccination plans.

Vaccine Distribution - All UMMS employees will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about how that will work including the allocation and distribution process.

Employee Vaccinations - Find important information about scheduling your first and second doses of the vaccine and our employee vaccination policies.

Safety and Effectiveness - If you have any concerns about the vaccines, browse this section to learn more about the vaccines' safety and effectiveness. 

Side Effects - In addition to information about side effects, you will find information about allergies, pregnancy and other health considerations in relation to the vaccine.

Vaccine Development and Approval - Learn more about Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the U.S. government program to expedite the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as how the vaccine was developed both quickly and safely.

Scroll down to find your question then click on the heading to view the Q&As in that category.

Vaccine Distribution

  • How will the vaccine be distributed?
  • How has UMMS determined who will be receiving the vaccine and when?
  • How will UMMS determine who gets which vaccine?
  • Who will have access to the vaccine once UMMS receives the first doses?
  • How much of the vaccine will UMMS be receiving?
  • How can I be sure that I’m going to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
  • At what point will we begin vaccinating patients?
  • Will UMMS provide the vaccine for my family member(s)? 
  • How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost for patients? 
  • Is UMMS taking advantage of any extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine?
  • Will I get a COVID-19 vaccination card if I get the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine?

Employee Vaccinations

  • Will the COVID-19 vaccine be mandatory for UMMS employees?
  • Why are flu shots mandatory for UMMS employees, but the COVID-19 vaccine is not?
  • If I decline the vaccine now, can I change my mind?
  • Where can I find more information to help inform my decision about whether to get vaccinated?
  • What if I have tested positive for COVID-19? Am I still eligible to receive the vaccine?
  • What do I need to do in preparation for my vaccination?
  • What factors should I discuss with my doctor if I have a history of allergic reactions?
  • What do I need to bring with me to my vaccination appointment?
  • How will I schedule my second vaccination if I receive a two-dose vaccine?
  • If you receive the first COVID-19 vaccine dose for Pfizer or Moderna, is it guaranteed that you will receive your second dose?
  • What if I am not able to get my second dose 21 or 28 days after my first dose?
  • What should I do if I get COVID-19 after the first dose of vaccine and before the second dose?
  • If I am vaccinated but then have a high-risk COVID-19 exposure, how will that be managed?
  • If I am fully vaccinated and am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do I need to quarantine or get tested?
  • If I have been vaccinated, am I allowed to follow the CDC’s recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals?
  • Will the vaccine consent form be hard copy or electronic?
  • Will I have to pay for the vaccine?
  • If I get a two-dose vaccine, how can I be sure I receive the correct vaccine for my second dose?
  • Will I get a COVID-19 vaccination card if I get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
  • I am scheduled to receive my COVID-19 vaccination and just learned that I had an exposure to a COVID-19-positive individual. Can I still get my vaccine?
  • I want to protect my vaccine card, should I laminate it?
  • Do I need to carry my vaccine card with me?
  • Help – I’ve lost my vaccine card. What should I do?
  • Can I post a selfie with my vaccine card on social media to celebrate getting the vaccine?
  • How can I protect myself from scammers?

Safety and Effectiveness

  • How effective are the vaccines?
  • Will a recipient of the vaccine need to receive one or multiple doses?
  • Do I need to complete the vaccine series in order to achieve immuno-protection?
  • For two-dose vaccines, do I need to receive both doses?
  • If I receive a two-dose vaccine, is there any benefit to shortening the interval between the first and second doses?
  • Can someone still transmit COVID-19 after being vaccinated?
  • If you are vaccinated and still contract COVID-19, would your symptoms be less severe?
  • Will UMMS be adjusting the PPE or Infection Prevention policies and guidelines for those who have been vaccinated?
  • For two-dose vaccines, is there an exact window of time in which I have to receive the first and second doses?
  • Can the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be used to complete my vaccination series if I received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for my first shot?
  • Will I need the vaccine every year?
  • I have been hearing about different COVID-19 variants lately. What does this mean and how many variants have been discovered so far?
  • Will the current COVID-19 vaccines protect against new strains of COVID-19?
  • Do I need to do anything differently to protect myself against these new strains of COVID-19?
  • Can I travel safely after receiving the vaccine? Can I travel without quarantining after I get the vaccine?
  • Are children eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination?
  • Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause HIV?

Side Effects

  • Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine under the FDA EUAs?
  • What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines? How will I know if I’m experiencing side effects or have been infected with COVID-19?
  • Should I go to work if I am experiencing side effects or COVID-related symptoms after receiving the vaccine?
  • When should I get tested for COVID-19 if I have COVID-related symptoms after vaccination?
  • What if I have a history of severe allergic reactions? Will that impact my ability to receive the vaccine?
  • I have heard individuals with certain cosmetic enhancements, such as dermal fillers, have had reactions to the Moderna vaccine. Should I not be vaccinated if I have any kind of facial fillers?
  • I have heard that some individuals may experience a rash around the site where they got their shot. Should I be concerned about this?
  • Is it true that there is a risk of Bell’s palsy after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Have there been any instances of side effects or adverse events in UMMS employees who have received the vaccine?
  • How do I report any adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine?
  • If you have a reaction to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and cannot receive the second dose, can you be vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
  • Should I receive the vaccine if I am currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
  • If my physician clears me to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, what should I do if I am pregnant and experience fever following vaccination?
  • Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?
  • Should I receive the vaccine if I am immunocompromised?
  • Is it safe for immunocompromised individuals to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
  • Is it safe for people ages 60 and older with comorbidities to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
  • I heard that some people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine experienced deep vein thrombosis. Is that something I should be concerned about?
  • Does the Johnson & Johnson vaccine cause tinnitus?
  • What if I have recently received a non-COVID vaccination?
  • What if I have received COVID-19 treatment such as monoclonal antibody therapy? Will I still be able to get the vaccine?
  • I get weekly COVID-19 tests because I work in a nursing home. Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my test results?
  • Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect serology test results?
  • Does the vaccine affect different demographic groups in different ways?
  • A lot of people seem to worry about unknown long-term vaccine side effects. What is the best clinical response to that concern?

Vaccine Development and Approval

  • What is Operation Warp Speed (OWS)?
  • How do I know the vaccines being developed under OWS are safe?
  • How do COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work?
  • Are COVID-19 mRNA vaccines safe?
  • How do COVID-19 viral vector vaccines work?
  • Are COVID-19 viral vector vaccines safe?
  • Can I get sick from the COVID-19 vaccines?
  • Why did the Pfizer vaccine get approved for use in the U.K. before the U.S.?
  • What vaccines will UMMS be administering?
  • How soon after approval will the vaccines be distributed?
  • Can you explain why the COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use but are still “unapproved”?

This content is for Internal Use only.