COVID-19 Vaccine Information
It is important to understand that even with receiving the vaccine we need to continue to use all the tools we have available.
- Continue to wear a mask in public places if you are unvaccinated or if required
- Practice social distancing
- Maintain good hand hygiene
This is an ever-changing process and may vary by county. Please continue to watch for updated information.
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If you received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, it is recommended everyone 18 and older get booster shots 2 months after receiving their initial dose.
If you received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines it is recommended everyone 12 and older get booster shots 5 months after receiving their second dose.
Vaccines are provided free of charge to you. To locate a vaccine near you:
- Visit www.vaccines.gov/search/
- Text your zip code to 438829
- Call 1-800-232-0233
Yankton Medical Clinic Pharmacy has COVID-19 vaccine available for those 5+ years of age.
Walk-ins available:
Mondays & Thursdays 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturdays 1-3 p.m.
Appointments are also available through the pediatrics department by calling 605-665-5538.
Vaccines are provided free of charge to you. To locate a vaccine near you:
- Visit www.vaccines.gov/search/
- Text your zip code to 438829
- Call 1-800-232-0233
Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C. encourages everyone to get their annual flu shot.
You can receive your flu shot and your COVID-19 vaccination at the same time. There is no need to wait between vaccinations.
Yankton Medical Clinic P.C. is recommending all eligible patients receive the vaccine as it becomes readily available. While masking and social distancing are important getting many individuals vaccinated is the only way to get this virus under control. The more people who receive the vaccine, the more lives will be saved, and the closer we are to ending this pandemic.
The vaccine will only be administered to individuals for whom the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective. Currently, those individuals are ages 12 and older.
Pfizer is currently undergoing trials for the COVID-19 vaccine in the 2 – 11-year-old age group with anticipated emergency use authorization approval this fall, followed by approval in age 6 months – 2 years
All vaccine allocation is based on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Dakota Department of Health guidance. Due to a limited supply of the vaccine, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended all health care workers and long-term care residents receive the initial doses of vaccine. In the weeks to months following, more COVID-19 vaccines will become available with the goal for everyone to have easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Age recommendations for each vaccine:
Moderna – 18+ years of age
Pfizer – 12+ years of age
Johnson/Johnson – 18+ years of age
While some may have concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to understand that routine processes and procedures have been followed and remain in place to ensure the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines went through large trials and have undergone review through two independent advisory committees – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the ACIP – to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
The biggest part of the COVID-19 vaccine process that was “rushed” was the ramping up of vaccine production by the pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies usually wait for full approval from the FDA before starting to manufacture a vaccine. The hold on production until approval is to avoid wasting money and resources should a vaccine not be approved. In the case of COVID-19, the government has funded pharmaceutical companies so that production could begin at the same time studies were being conducted. This did not change the vaccine product itself.
The emergency use authorization (EUA) approval is based on a shorter follow-up than normal. Most vaccine side effects are immediate short-term reactions such as muscle aches. Long-term effects from a vaccine are very rare and there is no reason to think that would happen with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Data on the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna is showing 95% effectivity. Janssen/J&J single-dose vaccine has shown to be 63.3% effective in clinical trials.
Pfizer vaccine in the 12 – 15 age group showed 100% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infection.
The most common side effects that have been seen are temporary and mild to moderate. Some side effects include fatigue, headache and muscle aches. Only a small percentage of individuals will have these symptoms.
- Symptoms like these are the body’s immune response and indicate your body is working to build immunity.
- There have not been reports of any serious side effects, although there is always a slight risk with any vaccine.
Because side effects are mild and temporary it is recommended to receive the vaccine towards the end of a workday and/or prior to a day off.
No, there is not a consent form for the COVID-19 vaccine. Making an appointment to receive the vaccine shows you are consenting.
You will also receive the EUA fact sheet and other education which will provide side effects, contraindications, and what to do if you have a reaction.
There are two COVID-19 vaccines that are 2-dose series and are not interchangeable. A booster must be from the same manufacturer, so it is important to make an appointment for the second dose while getting the first dose.
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen has been approved for a single-dose vaccine.
During COVID-19 vaccine trials, participants did not test positive for COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine, so it should not impact the results of a diagnostic test. Since the vaccine builds antibodies the results of your COVID-19 antibody test may be positive.
Yankton Medical Clinic P.C. is recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for all eligible persons when available. According to the CDC, there is not enough research available to indicate how long after an infection someone is protected (through natural immunity) from getting COVID-19 again.
The cost of the vaccination is covered by government programs. The provider may charge an administration fee which may be covered by private insurance or government programs.
Common acronyms related to the COVID-19 vaccine
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