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COVID-19 - Vaccine

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1. When might we get the vaccines?

Both the Lenawee County Health Department and ProMedica Hickman will be distributing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will initially be available in limited quantities. 

As more vaccine becomes available, the Health Department will continue to vaccinate the community based on the prioritization guidance from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Department will notify the community through media releases, social media posts and updates to the Health Department website when the vaccine is available to the various priority groups.

You can register for the vaccine on our website and we will email you to schedule your appointment when vaccine is available for your priority group.

2. Will the vaccine be free? Will it be administered through Lenawee County? How will you notify when the vaccine is available? Will you let us know what company it will be from?

There will not be a cost for anyone to receive the vaccine. The health department will focus initially on vaccinating EMS, health department staff who will be vaccinating the community and those frontline healthcare workers not affiliated with ProMedica or a larger organization. ProMedica will be vaccinating their staff and those affiliated with the healthcare system. The staff and residents of long-term care facilities will be vaccinated through a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.

As more vaccine becomes available for the remaining prioritization groups, we will notify the community through media releases, social media posts, and updates to our website that vaccine is available for your priority group.

3. Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes. The mRNA vaccines are especially safe: among the tens of thousands of people enrolled in the Phase III mRNA-Vaccine Clinical Trials, none have experienced severe adverse reactions. This is unheard of for vaccine clinical trials.

Vaccines are traditionally developed from one of several methods: (1) “live-attenuated” virus, made from virus that has been altered to decrease its virulence (harmful, infectious potential); (2) killed virus; (3) purified portions of virus, such as surface proteins.  The mRNA vaccine contains none of those components, only the “message” used for our cells to produce a single protein to stimulate our immune system. These mRNA vaccines are the safest in vaccine history to date.

Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work.

4. Will the mRNA vaccine alter my DNA?

No. mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. This means the mRNA does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease.

Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work.

5. Can the vaccine give me a COVID-19 infection?

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. There are several different types of vaccines in development. The goal for each of them is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. This means it is possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

6. Will I have a positive COVID-19 test after getting the vaccine?

No. Vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States won’t cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.

If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.

7. Do I still need to wear a mask after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. While experts learn more about the protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccines under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, like covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from others.  Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations on steps people need to take that slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Getting a COVID-19 vaccine together with following CDC’s recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.

For more information, visit considerations for wearing masks.

8. Can the COVID-19 vaccine help me even if I've already been affected by COVID-19?

Yes, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine, even if you have had COVID-19. There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this.

9. Will more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine be required?

The current vaccines need two shots to be effective. It is very important that you get both doses within the required time frame to ensure the best protection from COVID-19.

10. Can I get other vaccines at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine?

CDC recommends that no other vaccine be given 14 days before or after you get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

11. Can women who are pregnant get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant may be offered the vaccine, if they are in one of the vaccine priority groups and in consultation with their health care provider.

12. Does the vaccine have any side effects?

After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. You may experience a low-grade fever, headache, and just a general feeling of “not yourself”. These are signs that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to, which is produce an immune response for you to have protection against this disease.

13. What is V-safe?

When you get your vaccine, you will get a link to get the “V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker” application for your phone. Through V-safe, you can quickly tell the CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. CDC may follow up by phone to get more information. V-safe will also remind you to get the second COVID-19 vaccine dose when needed.

14. I received a link to schedule an appointment but there are no appointments available. Is my link broken?

No. This means there are no appointments available for your priority group at this time. Please continue to check this link. Appointments will be added.

15. I submitted the form but have received no email response. Did you get my form?

You should have received a confirmation email that stated “We have received your response for COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form for Individuals” in the subject line.  Please check your spam or junk email folder.  The email will come from the Lenawee County Health Department, but the address will be noreply@jotform.com.  If you did not get a confirmation, we did not get your form.  Please try again.

16. I received a confirmation, but I didn’t get an email to schedule my appointment. What should I do?

Your form is being reviewed and held due to either a lack of appointments available for your group or because we have not reached your priority group. Please continue to check your email. You will receive an email from the health department when appointments are available.

17. I am over 65 – when can I expect to be vaccinated?

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Group 1B is very large. It includes over 20,000 people locally and we are only receiving enough vaccine to take 500 new patients (first doses) each week. We hope to increase capacity soon.

18. I made a mistake when filling out my vaccine registration form. How can I correct this?

You can edit your information at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of your confirmation email that says "edit this submission".  There is no need to contact the health department.