COVID-19 Vaccine

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Please see the menu below for Central District Health's COVID-19 vaccine resources, along with a mobile COVID vaccination clinic intake form.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Getting Vaccinated

Is it safe for me to get a vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?

People with underlying medical conditions can receive the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines provided they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.

Learn more about vaccination considerations for persons with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.

When and where can I get my COVID-19 vaccine?

Anyone 5 years and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. You can schedule a vaccine appointment at any of the COVID-19 Vaccine Locations listed here. *Those who are 5 to 17-years-old and wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will receive the Pfizer vaccine because it is the only one currently authorized for these ages. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are authorized for use in those 18 years and older.

Vaccine Safety (1 OF 3)

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

COVID vaccines have proven to be safe and effective. All the COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible. Systems that allow CDC to watch for safety issues are in place across the entire country.

Both the Moderna-produced (for ages 18+) vaccine and Pfizer-produced (for ages 16+) vaccines have received full US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use. The FDA has also granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 5-15 that have been shown to meet rigorous safety criteria and be effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. Watch a video describing the emergency use authorization.

Clinical trials for all vaccines must first show they meet rigorous criteria for safety and effectiveness before any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, can be authorized or approved for use. The known and potential benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine must outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine. Learn more about how federal partners are ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

Is there a risk of a severe allergic reaction if I receive the vaccine?

Serious problems from vaccination can happen, but they are rare. CDC has learned of reports that some people have experienced severe allergic reactions—also known as anaphylaxis—after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. As an example, an allergic reaction is considered severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or EpiPen© or if they must go to the hospital. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and allergies.

The COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out quickly, how do we know it is safe?

These are not new technologies. The vaccines are actually set up to give us immunity that is better than natural infection. We know the side effects of the natural infection. When we compare the risks to those at the frontlines that are being exposed to the virus and those in our community who are at high-risk for severe disease and death, those risks greatly overshadow the unknown risks of the vaccine.

How do I decide if getting vaccinated is right for me?

Weigh the risk of contracting or spreading this potentially life-threatening disease to those who are vulnerable against the risks, side effects, safety and effectiveness of the vaccines offered.

Older age and underlying medical conditions including obesity, a compromised immune system, hypertension, COPD, diabetes, and heart disease increase the risk of severe illness from the virus and should be considered as well. You may wish to discuss with your primary care provider.

Vaccine Safety (2 OF 3)

Will I test positive for COVID-19 after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

First, it is important to know that the COVID-19 vaccines offered in the United States do not use live viruses that cause COVID-19, and therefore cannot make you sick with COVID-19. However, some (not all) “antibody COVID tests” may result in you testing positive after receiving the vaccine—These types of tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection but are intended to let you know if you had a previous infection. While you cannot get COVID-19 from a COVID vaccine, these vaccines are teaching your immune system how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19, so you may develop some symptoms, such as fatigue or fevers, after your vaccine. These symptoms are completely normal and should go away within a day or two.

Do I still need to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

Yes. Data from phase 2/3 clinical trials suggest that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and likely efficacious in persons with evidence of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination should be offered to persons regardless of history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.

Can an ingredient in the vaccine cause infertility?

There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.

If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you. Like all vaccines, scientists are studying COVID-19 vaccines carefully for side effects now and will continue to study them for many years. Learn more, HERE.

Vaccine Safety (3 OF 3)

Is there anyone that should not receive the vaccine?

People who have severe allergic reactions to any ingredients in an mRNA vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol) should not get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Severe allergic reactions may cause rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, or a rash/hives. If you cannot get an mRNA vaccine, you may still be able to get a different type of vaccination. See more information here. Vaccines are also not currently available to children under 5 years old.

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Evidence continues to grow that shows COVID-19 vaccines are safe both before and during pregnancy. People who are pregnant, or were recently pregnant, are at a greater risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant—getting the COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19.

Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.


Vaccine Distribution

What is being done to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines at the federal level?

The federal government oversees a centralized system to order, distribute, and track COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines are ordered through CDC. Vaccination providers receive vaccines from CDC’s centralized distributor or directly from a vaccine manufacturer. Three vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19 in the United States. Other COVID-19 vaccine candidates are in development, and clinical trials are being conducted at the same time as large-scale manufacturing. The implementation of COVID-19 vaccine distribution involved detailed planning focusing on every step of the process including:

  • Establishing and testing logistical plans with manufacturers and commercial partners that are part of CDC’s centralized COVID-19 vaccine delivery system
  • Coordinating the distribution of vaccines and needed supplies from centralized locations
  • Developing processes for ordering additional doses of the vaccine after the first supply has been shipped
  • Receiving, storing, and handling vaccines properly at very specific temperatures
  • Deciding who should receive a vaccine first, based on national recommendations, if there are not enough doses of the vaccine for everyone
  • Giving the vaccines safely during an ongoing pandemic
  • Reporting on vaccine inventory, administration, and safety using a variety of new and enhanced data systems
  • Expanding safety surveillance through new systems and additional information sources, as well as scaling up existing safety monitoring systems
  • Developing plans to assess vaccine effectiveness, which means how well the vaccines protect against COVID-19 under real-life conditions
  • Making sure the public, healthcare providers, state and local health departments and others receive timely, credible, clear communication about all aspects of the vaccination program
A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is a critical component of the U.S. strategy to reduce COVID-19-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. The U.S. government’s goal is to have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for all people in the United States who choose to be vaccinated.

Documents and Information Links

Information for the General Public

Information for Healthcare Providers

If you are a healthcare provider within Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley Counties that is not enrolled to give vaccine, please call the CDH Call Center to have your practice added to a list for vaccine coordination. 208-321-2222 Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

IDAHO-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

FEDERAL/OTHER RESOURCES


News Releases

Central District Health

All CDH News Releases can be found on our News webpage at https://www.cdh.idaho.gov/news

Department of Health and Welfare

All IDHW News Releases can be found on their News webpage at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/news

Region 4 Mobile COVID Vaccination Clinic Initial Intake Form

CDH COVID-19 Page Directory