*Appointments will be made available the day before (i.e. Monday appointments will be available to schedule on Sunday). If there are no appointments available through the link, please check back at a later time.
*As of September 23, the CDC is currently recommending a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot for the following (see graphic):
People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series.
People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine atleast 6 months after their primary series.
People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
*The approved booster dose ONLY applies to those who fall into the above categories, are 18 and older, and who have received the Pfizer vaccine series (at this time).
*Initial doses 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.
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.
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 more safe 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 the vaccine that is currently 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 and Johnson and Johnson.
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 final dose), 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 vaccine via their zip code.
Will tribal populations receive the vaccine? Yes. Vaccine will be administered to tribal members through the tribal health clinics.
Why are children younger than age 12 not included in the vaccine plan? We await further guidance on whether young children will be recommended for vaccination. Vaccination of young children is not recommended because of limited data on the vaccine safety and efficacy in this group at this time. Young children should still make sure they are up to date on their other important life-saving immunizations.
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.a