What are the vaccines available?

There are two vaccines currently available. The Pfizer Vaccine is approved for patients 16 and older and is administered in two doses 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is approved for patients 18 and older and is administered in two doses 28 days apart. Both vaccines were found to be effective after the second dose, with Moderna being 94% effective and Pfizer being 95% effective.

Who can get the vaccine?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Public Health have set up a plan for who can get the vaccine and when. Currently the vaccine is available to those working in health care, first responders and emergency workers, and nursing home/group home settings.

When can I get the vaccine?

Eventually, the general public will be eligible for the vaccine.Public Health Officials believe that will be sometime in April 2021 or later. We will continue to follow the Commonwealth’s guidance on who is eligible and vaccinate based on that criteria. Phase two is expected to start in early February. At that time those at highest risk for COVID-19 complications including those with two comorbidities and those over 75 years old will become eligible for the vaccine. View detailed information on the phases

Will your office be administering the vaccine?

Yes, we are in the process of setting up our vaccine clinics for those patients who are registered with our practice. The vaccine will be administered in a similar way to our flu shot clinic. We will follow the criteria set forth by the DPH and schedule patients based on that criteria. For more information about other COVID-19 Vaccine locations, please see below www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations

How will I know when you have the vaccine?

We strive to be as transparent as possible with our patients, so we will post an update to our website at the end of each week regarding the vaccine. Once it has arrived, we will email our patients and will also post another update to the website.

Can I be added to a list for this? Do I just call to schedule it?

We are in the process of compiling a list of patients from our medical record system who may be eligible in the first wave of phase two based on the criteria set out by the Commonwealth and the DPH. We will be sending patients an email or a phone call to schedule their appointment. Contained in the email will be a pre-vaccine questionnaire. You must complete this questionnaire. If you answer yes to any of the questions, it does not mean you cannot have the vaccine, but you may need a telemedicine visit with a provider prior to the vaccine to review your answers further. Please answer honestly as this will help to ensure your safety. Attached to the email will be factsheets for you to review prior to receiving the vaccine. If you are in the office within the next few weeks, please let your Medical Assistant and Provider know you are interested in the vaccine. The pre-vaccine questionnaire and fact sheets can be provided to you at this time to help save time close to when you’re eligible to receive the vaccine.

Are there side effects to the vaccine?

Yes, like any vaccine, there can be side effects. Many of the side effects are evidence that your body’s immune system is working.

• The symptoms most commonly reported after the Pfizer vaccine include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and chills.

Will I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. Neither vaccine contains any live virus. It cannot give you COVID-19.

Is there information I can review in advance of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Prior to your vaccine, you'll need to fill out the Pre-Vaccine Checklist. There are also factsheets available for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which can be found below. Pfizer / COVID-19 Vaccine Factsheet Moderna / COVID-19 Vaccine Factsheet