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Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

• The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. All approved COVID-19 vaccines went through extensive testing and clinical trials before they were approved for distribution.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine give you COVID-19?

• The vaccines do not include the live virus that causes COVID-19 so the vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. Sometimes after vaccination you may experience mild symptoms like pain at the injection site, fever, chills, mild fatigue or a headache. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

If I already had COVID-19 do I still need a vaccine?

• It’s unclear how long immunity lasts after having COVID-19. The best way to stop the pandemic and keep yourself and your family safe is to use every tool available, including getting a vaccine, wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and keeping at least six feet apart from others.

If I wear a mask and wash my hands, I don’t need a COVID-19 vaccine.

• The best way to stop the pandemic and keep yourself and your family safe is to use every tool available. Masks can help keep you from catching COVID-19, but if you are exposed, a vaccine prepares your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus.

Will there be enough vaccines for everyone?

• There is a national plan to rollout vaccines across the country starting in mid-December. There won’t be enough vaccines for everyone immediately, but supplies will increase over time. Health care workers and adult residents and of long-term care facilities will get the vaccine first. Other groups include essential workers and  people considered at high risk or severe COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions. All adults should be able to get vaccinated later in 2021. 

After I get vaccine, do I still have to wear a mask?

• The pandemic isn’t over. The best way to stop the pandemic and keep yourself and your family safe is to use every tool available including wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and watching your distance from others – especially avoiding crowds and gatherings.

I’m over 65 and qualify for a vaccination under Group 1B, but I haven’t been able to. Why?

• There are not enough vaccines from the federal and state government to provide to our community. So far 59,825 vaccines have been shipped to the Austin-Travis County area, but 1.2 million people need the vaccine. CommUnityCare has so far received only 2,100 vaccines.
• More will become available over time, but everyone should continue wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowds.

I’m a CommUnityCare patient. Can I get a vaccine?

• CommUnityCare is contacting their patients in Group 1B (people 65 and older with at least one chronic medical condition).
• When it comes to who gets vaccinated first, CommUnityCare is following DSHS/CDC distribution phases starting with Group 1A (frontline healthcare workers).
• CommUnityCare has temporarily reopened its Rosewood-Zaragosa Health Center in East Austin as a COVID-19 vaccine site.

Can anyone go to CommUnityCare for a vaccine?

• Central Health and CommUnityCare are committed to making the vaccine as available as possible – specifically to people most affected by COVID-19.
• Just like our COVID-19 testing, PPE, and Flu shot distribution approach, when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine distribution, our focus is on our established patients: populations with low income, the uninsured, and communities of color who are at higher risk for severe complications due to COVID-19.
• As vaccines become available in larger quantities, we plan to work with Austin Public Health to establish large-scale vaccination sites to serve people with low income and with no health insurance.

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