COVID-19 Vaccine
The contents of this page include information available as of 9-13-21. If new information is learned, and there is a discrepancy between this information and what you see from the CDC, follow CDC guidance.
If you have misplaced your COVID-19 vaccination card, you can find your vaccination records by visiting the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
General Questions
Is an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose available at Mile Bluff? (updated 8-20-21)
The FDA and CDC have authorized providing an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people whose immune systems are compromised moderately or severely. This includes people who have:
- Recently received or are currently receiving cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
This additional dose can only be given 28 days or longer from the second dose of your initial COVID vaccine series. If you are eligible for an additional dose due to being immune compromised, please contact your primary care provider to make an appointment.
Please note, this is NOT a COVID vaccine booster. The FDA and CDC have not approved or recommended a booster shot at this time from any manufacturer. We anticipate boosters being available in the fall. At this time, there is no approved additional dose for Johnson and Johnson.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine available through Mile Bluff? (updated 6-17-21)
Yes. Mile Bluff has access to all three of the vaccines currently used to prevent COVID-19. The Moderna and the one-step Johnson & Johnson vaccine are both available to vaccinate those who are 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is available for anyone ages 12 and up.
We offer vaccinations at our Phillips Pharmacy in Mauston, and our clinics in Elroy, Lake Delton, Mauston, Necedah and New Lisbon. We also coordinate on-site vaccine clinics with area businesses, and offer public vaccine events in various local communities.
If you are eligible, and you want the COVID-19 vaccine, click here to submit an online request, or call 608-847-2780.
Mile Bluff works in cooperation with Juneau County Public Health to vaccinate the community. The health department offers vaccination weekdays in Mauston. Call 608-847-9279 for appointments.
Do I have to pay for the vaccine? (added 4-8-21)
No. There is no out-of-pocket cost for anyone who is vaccinated.
Do I Have to Be a Mile Bluff Patient to Be Vaccinated by Mile Bluff? (Added 4-8-21)
No. We are providing the vaccine to anyone who lives and works in our area. Aside from age, there are no other restrictions.
Why Should I Get the Vaccine?
Getting vaccinated will help you end the damage being done to the economy, prevent more illness and deaths in America, and eliminate COVID-19. Choosing the vaccine will help keep you, your family and your community healthy and safe.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
Is the Vaccine Safe? (Added 4-8-21)
Every study and every phase of every trial was carefully reviewed and approved by a safety board at the FDA. The process was transparent and rigorous throughout, with continual oversight and expert approval.
Phase 3 of trials of the vaccines involved tens of thousands of participants, and there were ZERO hospitalizations or deaths.
Additional Information
If I Have Tested Positive for the Virus or Antibodies in the Past, Could I Still Benefit From the Vaccine? (Updated 5-10-21)
Even if you have tested positive for the virus or antibodies, you are encouraged to be vaccinated. Data shows that the immunity offered from the vaccine is higher than immunity from the illness. Your level of immunity from the virus can vary, depending on the severity of your illness. In addition, the virus antibodies may not protect you from COVID-19 variants. The vaccines have shown to be effective at protecting against all virus variants. The vaccine ensures that you are as protected as possible.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
How Long Does Immunity Last?
We don’t know the answer to this for the vaccine or the virus.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
What Are the Side Effects of the Vaccine? (Updated 1-14-21)
A small number of people may develop symptoms that mimic the virus. This is not because an individual is getting sick with the virus; it is they body’s reaction as it develops the proper immune response to COVID-19. Patients who have previously tested positive for COVID, have experienced a higher incidence of this.
The most common immune responses are fatigue (4.2% of recipients), headache (2.4%), muscle pain (1.8%), chills (1.7%), and pain and redness at the injection site (1.4%). Severe reactions occurred in only 0.6% of individuals.
These are all very similar to the occurrence of reactions to the influenza vaccine.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
If I Develop These Symptoms, How Long Do They Last, and Will I Have to Stay Home?
Symptoms have most commonly lasted just 24 hours, but can stick around for up to 3 days. Those who develop symptoms from the vaccine should contact their healthcare provider and employer, if applicable.
If I Develop Severe Side Effects From My First Dose, Should I Skip My Second Dose?
Unless directed by your primary care provider, you should get both doses of a two-dose vaccine. With one injection, your immunity will not be boosted to the highest level it could reach. If you do experience a severe reaction, contact your provider immediately.
Is the COVID-19 Virus in the Vaccine?
There is no trace of the virus in the three vaccines being used in the United States. Any symptoms a person experiences after injection are the body’s reaction as it builds an immune response.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
How Can I Trust a Vaccine That Is So New?
To be approved, a vaccine must pass rigorous safety and efficacy testing. The FDA will not approve a vaccine unless it prevents disease or decreases severity in at least 50% of those who receive it. Current data on the COVID-19 vaccine show 90+% efficacy.
Plus, the COVID-19 vaccine was tested on a larger scale than many of today’s trusted vaccines. In addition, while the vaccine is a new way to fight against COVID-19, the technology used to develop this type of vaccine has been in development for well over a decade. It was originally introduced with the intention of fighting cancer, but attention was switched to COVID when the virus began to spread rapidly across the world.
Is It True That Steps Were Skipped in Order to Get This Vaccine Out So Quickly?
It’s true that this vaccine was ready for distribution faster than any other vaccine in history. However, Operation Warp Speed was not completed by cutting any corners.
Generally, when vaccines are developed, the manufacturers wait for approval before producing any of the vaccine that is being tested. This protects the companies from losing out on their work and money if a vaccine doesn’t work. With the COVID-19 vaccines, the manufacturers ran the risk of going to production during testing, in anticipation that the vaccines would work. This would allow them to begin distribution as soon as there was approval. That risk is paying off, and is the reason we have the vaccine in-hand that much sooner.
Learn more about the vaccine "myths" from the Mile Bluff team.
Are There Plans to Add the COVID Vaccine Into Another Vaccine in the Future, Like Next Year’s Flu Shot?
At this point, the focus is on getting the COVID vaccine to as many people as possible, so that it can be effective on a global scale. There are currently no plans to add the COVID vaccine to another.
Can I Still Pass COVID Onto Others After Getting the Vaccine?
There is no conclusive evidence on this, so it’s always best to continue to practice all safety recommendations and precautions.
It is expected that some people who receive the vaccines may be protected against severe infection, but not necessarily be prevented from having a mild or asymptomatic infection if later exposed to the virus. These individuals would have the potential to pass the virus on to others.
In addition, while we’ve seen the vaccine to be effective in trials, there is still a small percentage of people who will not develop immunity from it. These individuals may become ill if exposed to the virus sometime after vaccination, and may also then pass the virus on to others.
If I Get the Vaccine, Do I Still Need to Wear a Mask? (Updated 5-20-21)
If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, the CDC recommends that you should wear a mask in indoor public places.
In general, you do not heed to wear a mask in outdoor settings. However, in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from COVID-19 variants and to prevent possible spreading COVID to others, the CDC recommends that you wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
This recommendation does not apply to healthcare settings. Masks are still required in Mile Bluff facilities regardless of vaccination status. Learn more and stay up-to-date on the CDC site.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
Is There Any Reason I Should Not Get the Vaccine? (Updated 2-22-21)
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are in the severe phase of your illness, you should postpone being vaccinated until your fever subsides and/or your other symptoms resolve.
If you’ve experienced an anaphylactic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine (like polyethylene glycol), this vaccine is not recommended for you.
If you have received Bamlanivimab or Regeneron to treat COVID, you should postpone being vaccinated until at least 90 days after your last treatment.
At this time, COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for anyone under the age of 12.
See additional information on this page for recommendations for other specific groups.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
What if I've Had a Past Reaction to a Vaccine? (Updated 2-22-21)
If you have a history of vaccine reaction, and/or you commonly react to medications, and/or you've experienced an anaphylactic reaction to any medication (especially a vaccine), the CDC recommends that you consult your primary care provider before being vaccinated for COVID-19.
While the COVID-19 vaccines are distinctly different from any other vaccine, the CDC defers to your primary care provider to help you make the decision that is best for you.
Can I Get the Vaccine if I'm Pregnant, Nursing or Want to Become Pregnant (Added 5-10-21)
The CDC recommends that pregnant and nursing patients be vaccinated. Although there were not separate studies for these individuals, there were enough participants in the studies who were pregnant and nursing to project success with the vaccine.
There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccines have a negative impact on fertility. In fact, the CDC notes that there were dozens of participants in the clinical trials who became pregnant during the trials, without complications. Other studies found that babies born to vaccinated mothers have had antibodies at birth.
What if I Have an Auto-Immune Disorder Like Celiac, Lupus or Arthritis? (Added 1-14-21)
If you have an autoimmune disorder, the Lupus Foundation and CDC recommend vaccination. However, if you are on immuno-suppressive medications, you should consult with your prescribing provider before being vaccinated. Timing out the vaccine with your medication may be recommended to optimize your immune response.
Can I Get Other Vaccines Before or After a COVID-19 Vaccine? (Added 1-20-21)
If you are vaccinated for COVID-19, it is recommended that you do not receive any other vaccines within two weeks of your COVID-19 vaccination.
How Can I Learn More? (Updated 5-7-21)
If you are interested in reading more about vaccines, two great sources are the CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. For up-to-date information about the main vaccine available at Mile Bluff, visit the Moderna website. For information about the one-dose vaccine, visit the Janssen website. For information about the main vaccine being distributed by the Juneau County Health Department, visit the FDA website and click on the link to the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.
You can also call the CDC hotline at 800-232-4636.
