FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine
The contents of this page include information available as of 5-7-21. If
new information is learned, and there is a discrepancy between this information
and what you see from the CDC, follow CDC guidance.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine available through Mile Bluff? (updated 5-7-21)
Yes. We offer vaccinations at our facility on Kennedy Street in Mauston,
our Phillips Pharmacy in Mauston, our Elroy Family Medical Center, and
our Delton Family Medical Center. 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. Please note that while
anyone who is 16 and older is eligible in the state, Mile Bluff has vaccines
that are approved only for those who are 18 and older. We currently have
the two-dose Moderna vaccine, as well as a limited supply of the single-dose
Janssen vaccine.
Mile Bluff works in cooperation with Juneau County Public Health to vaccinate
the community. The health department has the Pfizer vaccine - which is
approved for those who are 16 and older - and 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 4-8-21)
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. The vaccine
ensures that you are as protected as possible.
Learn more from the Mile Bluff team.
How long does immunity last?
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 more likely with the second dose of the vaccine. 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 side effects.
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 the 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 COVID virus in the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
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?
Yes. Masking recommendations will not change. Wearing a mask is the right
thing to do. It helps those around you feel safer in your presence; and
helps prevent any possible spread of the virus, even after being vaccinated.
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 16.
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 1-14-21)
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.
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.