Covid vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds at the main Health Department building at 2600 LaFranier Rd.
Covid vaccinations and boosters for 12+ at our Cherryland Mall Clinic on Garfield Ave.
On December 14th, the CDC endorsed an updated recommendation made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of COVID-19, expressing a clinical preference for individuals to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer & Moderna) over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Read more...
Additional Information about our clinics:
*Initial doses and boosters of all vaccines continue to be available - Johnson & Johnson (18+), Moderna (18+), and Pfizer (12+).
*Vaccination clinics will primarily take place at our Cherryland Mall location. 1700 South Garfield Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686. COVID-19 vaccines are also available at the main Health Department and both youth health clinics by appointment (please call 231-995-6131 for more information). Some clinics will also be held on location and will be announced primarily on this page, on our Facebook page, or through local media outlets.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION CARD FOR YOUR RECORDS Unfortunately, we are not able to replace missing or lost cards. You can, however, request an official copy of your State of Michigan Immunization report. This report will show your COVID vaccinations. You can request the report through the MDHHS state portal: https://mdhhsmiimmsportal.state.mi.us/
Seniors who do NOT have internet access or need additional help can call 231-715-5557 for assistance with scheduling vaccinations.
VACCINE DATA: Can be found on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard page.
CDC Guidance: 8 Things to Know about the US COVID-19 Vaccination Program
General FAQ:
I am positive for COVID, awaiting test results; can I still be vaccinated? No, you must wait until your quarantine/isolation is completed.
Will COVID-19 vaccination help keep me from getting COVID-19? Getting vaccinated will protect yourself and may also protect people around you.
Do I have to pay for the vaccine? No. You will not be charged any fees for the vaccine. If you do have insurance coverage, the vaccine provider may charge your insurance an administrative fee, but YOU will not have to pay anything.
Will more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine be required? It depends on which vaccine you receive. Some COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to complete the series and to build the best immune response. If a second dose is required, it is very important that you receive the vaccine from the same manufacturer both times and get the doses within the required time frame to ensure the best protection from COVID-19.
• The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine requires two doses. If you receive the Pfizer vaccine the second dose needs to be 21 days after the first dose, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine needs to be 28 days after the first.
• The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose to build the best immune response.
•BOOSTERS are now suggested for 16-17 year olds and recommended for 18+
Are the side effects different? No matter what vaccine you get, it is normal to have mild side effects like fever, chills, fatigue, and headache as well as pain and swelling in the arm where you received the vaccine. This is your immune system learning how to fight the virus and indicates the vaccine is working.
Is one of the COVID-19 vaccines proven to be safer than the other? All COVID-19 vaccines go through the same process to receive approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). There is no data to suggest one vaccine is safer than another. At this time CDC is recommending to receive Moderna or Pfizer where available. And J&J if that is the only vaccine that is available to you.
Can I choose which vaccine I want to get when it is my turn to get vaccinated? Some clinics may offer an option for those seeking a vaccination, but the type of vaccine depends upon availability. GTCHD has been receiving mostly Pfizer at this time.
Can any doctor’s office, clinic, or pharmacy offer the COVID-19 vaccine? Doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies who are enrolled in the vaccination programcan offer the vaccine when the vaccine becomes available to them. Some federal contracts have already begun through local pharmacies.
Will people who have already had COVID-19 be able to get vaccinated? Yes. People who have had COVID-19 can still get a vaccine. CDC recommends getting it after you have recovered. You should check with your health care provider if you have questions.
If I already had COVID-19, why should I get vaccinated? Shouldn’t I be immune? 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.
Do I need to keep wearing a mask after I get vaccinated? Once you are fully vaccinated (two weeks post your booster), you are not required to wear a mask except for where it is required. Please review the CDC’s most recent guidance on masks and physical distancing for those that are fully vaccinated. MDHHS is following suit with the CDC and has updated the Gatherings and Face Mask order as well. *UPDATE: MDHHS is issued a Public Health Advisory suggesting masks be worn indoors even for the fully vaccinated. - as of 11/19/21
Will I have to quarantine and miss work after I get the vaccine? Getting the vaccine does not require quarantine, but it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build an immune response after getting the vaccine. This means it is possible you could be infected with COVID-19 just before or after vaccination. If you believe you have been exposed or are having symptoms you should quarantine until you talk to your doctor and get tested.
Can this vaccine give me COVID-19? No. This vaccine gives your body a code which helps it recognize the virus, so your body can fight it off in the future.
Does the vaccine have any side effects? After the COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some mild side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The side effects from the 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 general fatigue. These are signs that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to, which is to produce an immune response for you to have protection against this disease.
How are side effects being tracked? The CDC runs the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), a national system to detect any possible symptoms or side effects that occur after someone has had a vaccine. Anyone who has had a vaccine can report concerns to VAERS.
Can people with a history of allergic reactions get the vaccine? Most people who have food or environmental allergies can still get the vaccine. Prior to getting vaccinated, talk to your health care provider if you have had any severe reactions to medicines or vaccines in the past. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare and severe allergic reactions.
Where can I get a vaccine? Vaccines will primarily be scheduled through Local Health Departments. Grand Traverse County residents, can go to https://gtcountycovid19.com/vaccine/ Other places, such as pharmacies, are also beginning to list their vaccine availability on VaccineFinder. VaccineFinder lets individuals search for vaccines via their zip code.
Will tribal populations receive the vaccine? Yes. Vaccines will be administered to tribal members through tribal health clinics.
Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain fetal cells? The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been produced by growing the virus in fetal cells during vaccine development and manufacturing (using the PER.C6 line). Even though fetal cells are used to grow the vaccine virus, vaccines do not contain these cells or pieces of DNA.
The mRNA vaccines (those by Pfizer and Moderna) did not use a fetal cell line to produce or manufacture the vaccine.