General Vaccine FAQs

How do I let Fishers Health Department know that I am interested in getting the vaccine?

The purpose of the Vaccine Interest Form is to provide information to the Fishers Health Department to assist in the preparations of COVID-19 vaccinations.COVID-19 vaccinations are not anticipated to be available to the general public until mid-2021 but certain individuals may qualify to receive the vaccine sooner. This survey is based on the most current criteria being utilized at the state and national level for vaccine allocation.

By filling out this form, you are assisting in the planning process and eventual notification process for the vaccination by the Fishers Health Department. This does not guarantee you a place in line nor a vaccine.

The survey asks if I am "homebound". What does homebound mean?

Homebound means that the person taking the survey is unable to leave the house, typically due to illness, injury, or old age.

What does a standby list mean? How do I apply to be on the list?

At the end of a clinic day, we may have a few extra doses of vaccine. A standby list allows us to call people who are interested in receiving the vaccine to receive the leftover doses for the day. A standby list does not guarantee you a place in line for vaccine soon. Thank you for understanding that our leftover doses are very little compared to the number of people on our standby list.

If you are interested in being on the standby list, please click yes on the Vaccine Interest Form when they ask if you are interested in being on the standby list.

Would I be able to receive my second dose in time?

FHD will schedule the second dose at the end of the first dose appointment. The Indiana Dept of Health provides vaccines to correlate with second dose appointments at the same location.

How will I know when I am eligible to receive the vaccine? 

Decision about who is eligible is made at the state level to ensure that vaccine is distributed in a fair and equitable manner. Please complete the Vaccine Interest Form and the Fishers Health Department will contact you via email once you are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Who will be eligible to receive vaccine first? 

The State recently released information that individuals 70 years of age or older are eligible to receive the vaccine, regardless of underlying medical conditions, beginning Monday, Jan 11.

The vaccine is now available to individuals age 70 and older, as well as to licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers and first responders who have face-to-face interactions with patients or infectious material or work in a public-facing position that requires in-person contact. A photo ID, proof of age, or verification of current employment as a healthcare worker or first responder in Indiana is required.

The timeline for additional phases of vaccine administration is yet to be determined.

How much does it cost to get the vaccine?

The vaccine is free for the public. Vaccine providers will be able to bill a patient's insurance for a fee to administer the vaccine, but will not charge the patient.

How do I schedule a vaccination appointment?

Eligible individuals can schedule a vaccination appointment at www.ourshot.in.gov.

How do I schedule an appointment if I do not have access to the internet?

The IDOH has partnered with 2-1-1 and Indiana Centralized Contact Tracing Program to develop a call center to answer questions and assist any individuals with registration. Call Center hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily, including weekends.

If you are over 70 years old and are having trouble finding a vaccine appointment, please call us at 317.537.5000. Please remember to leave a message with your number. We have some extra appointments available. 

Where can I get vaccinated?

When you register for your appointment, there will be a list of vaccination clinics. You may choose the Fishers Health Department clinic if you wish to do so. FHD will be by appointment only.

Our initial operation hours are:

• Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. - noon 
• Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

As we receive an increased allocation of vaccines, the hours will expand. 

What should I do immediately after vaccination?

Please remember to wait at least 15 minutes in the observation room. Wait time may be longer for some individuals. Remember to schedule your next appointment.

Do I still need to quarantine and isolate after receiving the vaccine?

Yes. Until many people have been vaccinated, please continue to follow public health guidance including quarantine and isolation. People who have been vaccinated may still be able to infect others, so even those who are vaccinated should continue wearing a mask and quarantining if they are a close contact of a positive case. 

Please continue to wear a mask, stay physically distant, and wash your hands even after being fully vaccinated.

Since the vaccine is available, can I stop wearing a mask?

The State Department of Health is preparing for the arrival of the vaccine, both in limited supply at first, and through 2021 when the vaccine will be widely available. The authorization of COvid-19 vaccines is an important milestone in our effort to fight this devastating disease. Unfortunately, the reality is that even as we widely deploy vaccines, this virus will continue to spread, and many more lives will be lost. It remains critical that we not let our guard down. Everyone must continue to follow public health guidance to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe. Until there is enough vaccine for everyone, it’s crucial for you to continue to take these steps that we can do now to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others
• Stay at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths)
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer
• Isolate yourself if you’re sick and stay home if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19
• Clean frequently touched surfaces often

Can I get the disease from the COVID-19 vaccine?

No. Covid-19 vaccines made using mRNA can not give you COVID.mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. That means that the vaccines cannot cause you to get COVID.

How many shots will I need of the COVID-19 vaccine?

According to CDC, all but one of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S will need 2 doses (shots) to be effective. The first shot starts building protection. A second shot, a few weeks later, is needed to get the best protection from the vaccine. 

If the COVID-19 vaccine that you get requires two doses, you will need to get both doses from the same type of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer.

Does mRNA stay in my body after I get the vaccine?

No. Our cells break down and get rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions on how to make the protein that triggers our body's immune response. It is as if you get an email with instructions that disappears after you have copied and used the information.

I am a close contact. Can I get vaccinated?

Yes, but please monitor for symptoms and ensure there are no symptoms before you get vaccinated. Consider getting tested if symptoms develop.

I am currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Can I get the vaccine?

Vaccinations should be deferred until recovery from illness. If symptoms are present, wait till no symptoms. Please consider getting tested. If you test positive for COVID-19 see "I have tested positive for COVID-19, should I get the vaccine?"

I have tested positive for COVID-19. Should I get the vaccine?

Vaccinations should be deferred until recovery from acute illness and criteria have been met to discontinue isolation. Current evidence suggests reinfection is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection and thus persons with documented acute infection in the preceding 90 days may defer vaccination until the end of this 90-day period if desired to ensure the limited supply is distributed to community members who are high risk. 

Previously, I received passive antibody therapy for COVID-19. Should I get the vaccine?

Currently no data on the safety or efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in persons who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as part of COVID-19 treatment. Vaccination should be deferred for at least 90 days to avoid interference of the treatment with vaccine-induced immune responses.

Why would I want to get a vaccine instead of just getting the natural immunity that comes from getting the disease?

The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is that you get protection from the disease without ever having to risk the serious, and sometimes deadly, consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

What should I do with my vaccination card? 

When you get your first dose, you will get a vaccination card to show you when to return for your second dose of COVID-19 Vaccine. Remember to bring your card when you return.

What should I mention to my vaccination provider before I get COVID-19 vaccine?

Tell the vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any allergies
• have a fever
• have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
• are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have received another COVID-19 vaccine

What should I expect after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

Covid-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Find more details here on the post-vaccination expectations.

What is V-safe?

A new smartphone-based, after-vaccination health checker for people who receive COVID-19 vaccines. V-safe uses text messaging and web surveys from CDC to check in with vaccine recipients following COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe also provides second vaccine dose reminders if needed, and telephone follow-up to anyone who reports medically significant (important) adverse events. Learn more.

What should I do about side effects?

If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital. Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). 

What is the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)?

VAERS is a passive reporting system, meaning it relies on individuals to send in reports of their experiences. Anyone can submit a report to VAERS, including parents and patients. VAERS accepts all reports, including reports of vaccination errors.

The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccines FAQs

What is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine on December 12, 2020 to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

2 doses 21 days apart, 0.3 ml IM. Efficacy: 95.0%

Where can I get more information as a healthcare provider administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

This link provides information for healthcare providers administering the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

I would like to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Where can I get more information about the vaccine?

Learn more about the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination. 

Moderna Vaccines FAQs

What is the Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) COVID-19 vaccine?

On December 18, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EAU) for the Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) vaccine (ModernaTX, Inc: Cambridge, Massachusetts). This vaccine is the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized under EAU for the prevention of COVID-19 in the United States for individuals 18 years of age and older. 2 doses 28 days apart, (100 micrograms), 0.5 ml each IM. Efficacy: 94.1%.

Where can I get more information as a healthcare provider administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

This link provides information for healthcare providers administering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

I would like to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Where can i get more information about the vaccine?

Learn more about the Moderna Covid-19 vaccination.

Where can I learn more?

• Visit CDC
• Visit FDA 
• Visit Moderna
• Pfizer vaccine fact sheet
• Contact Fishers Health Department or Indiana State Department of Health. 
• Information on Indiana’s rollout of vaccine
• How-to guide to register for V-safe, the cell-phone based monitoring tool for reporting post-vaccination side effects
• Reporting to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
• When can I get a COVID vaccine?