Vaccination

• All available COVID-19 vaccines prevent moderate cases of COVID-19 and are extremely effective at preventing more severe cases that can lead to hospitalization and death.
• The COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you by creating an immunity response in your body without you having to become sick with COVID-19.
• Getting vaccinated also might help protect people around you from COVID-19, especially those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

If I can still catch COVID-19 after being vaccinated, then why get vaccinated?

Would you not wear a seat belt because you could still die in a car crash while wearing one? Would you not use condoms because they’re not 100% effective? People who are vaccinated are at least 17 times less likely to be hospitalized, especially if boosted, and they are less likely to transmit the virus to others. There’s one other reason: Variants will continue to evolve (sorry). Having almost everyone vaccinated against COVID-19, here and abroad, is the best weapon against variants. Variants can occur only when the virus is free to spread and mutate.

Who is eligible?

Beginning March 29th, all adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Most vaccines are authorized for people 18 years old and older; the FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in people 5 and older.

Can I get the vaccine if I am pregnant?

Yes. Pregnant and recently pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of severe illness, death, and pregnancy complications. The CDC issued Health Advisory for Pregnant People to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future to prevent serious illness, deaths, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Do I need to wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have recently received a different vaccine, such as the flu shot?

No, you do not need to wait to get the vaccine. Updated guidance states vaccines can/should be co-administered. Read the CDC's Coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines for more information.

What should I consider if I am having a medical procedure?

Discuss with your doctor if you should delay a vaccination or a medical procedure due to a recent COVID-19 vaccination. For example, if you are getting a mammogram, the vaccine could cause swelling in the lymph nodes as part of the normal immune response, resulting in a false reading. Some experts recommend getting your mammogram before being vaccinated or waiting four to six weeks after getting your vaccine. Learn more about medical procedures and the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC's website.

Do I need to show proof of Citizenship?

No. You will not need to prove citizenship to get a vaccine and public health will never share your information with any immigration or law enforcement agencies.

If I already had COVID-19 do I still take the vaccine?

Yes, people may get vaccinated after recovering from their COVID-19 infection.

Who should NOT get the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

• Anyone with a previous severe or immediate allergic reaction should consult with their doctor first.
• Those younger than 5 years of age for the Pfizer vaccine.
• Those younger than 18 years of age for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• People currently isolating or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; these people can get vaccinated once they have finished 10-day isolation and symptoms have resolved. 

Can children receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals who are 5 years of age or older. No vaccines are approved for anyone under 5 years of age at this time.

Is parental/guardian consent needed for minors to receive the vaccine?

Yes. Parental consent (written or verbal) is required prior to vaccination for anyone under the age of 18.

Are parents/guardians required to accompany the child?

Yes. A parent/guardian are required to accompany children between the ages of 5 – 17 years old to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

What supporting paperwork will be needed to get my child the COVID-19 vaccine?

Children ages 5 and up are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine with parental consent. A photo ID (for the parent/guardian; & for the child if available) is preferred but not required. We are not requiring other supporting documentations such as birth certificates. The parent/guardian who accompanies the minor to the appointment can self-attest to the child’s age and identity.

People can get vaccinated at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, hospitals and other “usual” sites.

Search for a vaccine pop-up clinic near you.

Other Vaccine Providers

• Texas MedClinic
• University Health System
• WellMed

Locations may be subject to change.

Additional providers within San Antonio can be located via the DSHS Vaccination page.

There is no charge for the vaccine or administration.  You do NOT need health insurance.

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

Find out more about the Omicron variant.

Is the vaccine safe?

Yes. Severe side effects are rare. Severe allergic reactions seem to be occurring about 1 for every 100,000 injections.

How were the vaccines developed so quickly?

Every study, every phase, and every trial was reviewed by the FDA and a safety board. Scientists have been working since the start of the pandemic to make COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.

Will the government be tracking me?

No. Individuals can decide to sign up with the State’s C immunization registry so individuals can have a record of receiving their COVID vaccine.

Is the vaccine made from fetuses?

No. The vaccines do not contain human fetal cells.

Does the vaccine have any blood cells in it?

No. The mRNA vaccines do not contain any blood products.

Is there enough vaccine for everyone?

Yes. There is enough vaccine available for everyone.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?

The vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to get pregnant.See Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients for more information.

What are the possible side effects?

Side effects to the vaccine are normal. The most common side effects are:

• On the arm where you got the shot:
• • Pain
  • Swelling
• Throughout the rest of your body:
• • Fever
  • Chills
  • Tiredness
  • Headache

Helpful Tips

To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot:

• Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.
• Use or exercise your arm.

To reduce discomfort from fever:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dress Lightly.

You can take an over-the-counter medication (like acetaminophen [Tylenol]) after your vaccine to help with side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally.

Will I get as sick receiving the vaccine as I would from the virus?

No. You cannot become infected, or infect others, from receiving the vaccine because it does not contain any live virus.

Are the side effects after the 2nd dose different?

Many people report more side effects after their second dose compared to their first one. The most common side effects include fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. Side effects typically occur 24-48 hours after the injection, but they should go away in a few days.

Do I need to quarantine if I start experiencing side effects from the vaccine?

No. The side effects do not mean that you are sick with the virus. Side effects occur because the vaccine is preparing your body for if/when it comes into contact with COVID-19.

What do I do if I become sick between injections?

Discuss your side effects with a health practitioner to evaluate whether your side effects might be from COVID-19 infection, vaccine side effects, or another cause.

Do I need to get my 2nd dose at the same location as my 1st dose?

Due to widely available access to COVID-19 vaccine, it is no longer necessary to return to the location where the first dose was received: A second dose can be obtained at any location currently offering COVID-19 vaccines.

Do I need to get my 2nd dose from the same brand as my 1st dose?

Yes.

What happens if I don’t get the second dose?

It is highly recommended to complete both doses (Moderna/Pfizer) to receive the full benefit.

When should I get my 2nd dose?

Make every effort to get your second dose on schedule. If you miss your second dose appointment, try to get it as soon as possible.

What happens if I miss my appointment for my 2nd dose?

Your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks after the first dose, if necessary.

Do I still need to wear a mask and physically distance after receiving the vaccine?

• If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.
• In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
• In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
• If you are fully vaccinated and have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may need to keep taking steps to protect yourself, like wearing a mask. Talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to manage your health and risks.
• If you are fully vaccinated, see When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.

How long does the protection from the vaccine last?

We do not yet know how long protection lasts after vaccination. Research does show that administration of a booster shot may result in increases in antibody levels and may result in increased effectiveness compared to primary vaccination.

Do I need to keep a record of my vaccination?

It is highly encouraged to keep a record of your vaccination in the event you need proof of vaccination in the future. It may be needed for things such as future travel. You are encouraged to take a picture of both the front and back of your vaccination card once you receive it.

Is there a record of my vaccination being kept?

Yes. If you want a copy of your vaccination record, start by contacting the clinic, doctor, or healthcare provider that administered the vaccination. If your provider has the record on file, this will be the fastest way of obtaining your records. Or you could request it from Texas DSHS by completing a record request form and mailing it to: Texas Department of State Health Services ImmTrac Group MC-1946 P.O. Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714-9347 OR Fax the record request form to: 512.776.7790; 512.776.7288. You can access this information by visiting https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize

Will I need an annual shot?

This is currently unknown. Research does show that administration of a booster shot may result in increases in antibody levels and may result in increased effectiveness compared to primary vaccination.

What do I do if I have been vaccinated but others around me have not?

You should continue practicing COVID prevention measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. These measures (such as wearing a mask, physically distancing, washing your hands) are the best way to avoid spreading the virus. The vaccine is NOT a cure and even when you are vaccinated, there is still a possibility that you could contract COVID-19 or spread it to others.

What do I do if others around me have been vaccinated but I have not?

You should continue practicing COVID prevention measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. These measures (such as wearing a mask, physically distancing, washing your hands) are the best way to avoid spreading the virus.

What happens if I am exposed to someone with COVID19 after I have received both doses of the vaccine?

You should still get tested if you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

• If you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 5-7 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• If your test result is positive, isolate at home for 10 days.

What can I do now that I have been fully vaccinated?

You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic. To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if:

• you have a weakened immune system
• your age or an underlying medical condition puts you at increased risk for severe disease
• a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated

You can travel. If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.

You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.

• You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
• You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States.
• You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
• You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

• Request vaccine card from your provider.
• If Metro Health was your vaccine provider (including at the Alamodome), call the Metro Health Immunizations Clinic at 210.207.8894 to make an appointment to request your immunization record.
  • You will pick up your record in person:
    210 N. Mel Waiters Way
    San Antonio, TX 78202
  • There will be a $5 administrative fee.
• If you’re unable to get a copy from your provider, you can request your vaccine information from the Texas Department of State Health Services:
  • Submit the following forms by fax or mail. The fax number and mailing address are located at bottom of the form.
    • ImmTrac2 Adult Consent Form (F11-13366)
    • Authorization to Release ImmTrac2 History Form (F11-11406)
  • Please note, it could take up to two weeks to receive your vaccine information.

Find more information about requesting an immunization record.

Who is eligible for the booster shot?

Everyone ages 5 and older can get a booster shot.

• All adults and children 5 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months or more after their initial series.
• All adults 18 years and older who received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months or more after their initial series.
• For the people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and were vaccinated two or more months ago.

View more information from the CDC about COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Will booster shots be the same formulation as existing vaccines?

Yes, COVID-19 booster shots are the same formulation as the current COVID-19 vaccines. However, in the case of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, it is half the dose of the vaccine people get for their initial series.

Can people mix and match vaccine brands for their booster shot?

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. If you have lost your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record. If you received your vaccination card from a Metro Health clinic, please call 311, option 8 or 210.207.6000.

Will the booster shot also be free?

COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone at no cost, including the booster shot. Vaccines will continue to be given to all people living in the United States, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Does this change the definition of “fully vaccinated” for those eligible for booster shots?

No. At this time, people are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

Where will boosters be available?

For those eligible, getting a booster shot is convenient, and as simple as visiting your local pharmacy or doctor’s office. If you are unable to get the booster at your original vaccine location, you can go to any provider. Metro Health is working with community agencies to host pop-up clinics offering booster vaccinations.

Is it safe to co-administer COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, like flu?

Yes, if a patient is eligible, both flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same visit, as recommended by CDC and ACIP. In addition to flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine can be given with other vaccines such as shingles and pneumonia, as well.

No.

No appointment is required. You can walk in to any pop-up clinic.

You need to bring an ID and wear a face mask.

You do not need an appointment to receive the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or booster dose of any vaccine. If you pass the recommended interval for your second dose, you can still receive your second dose without restarting your vaccine series.

The timing between your first and second shot depends on which vaccine you received. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.

• If you received the Moderna vaccine, you will need to wait at least 24 days after your first dose.
• If you received the Pfizer vaccine, you will need to wait at least 21 days after your first dose.

You will need to complete the series of the 2 shots in order for them to work. Get the second shot even if you have side effects after receiving the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.

If you pass the recommended interval for your second dose, you can still receive your second dose without restarting your vaccine series.

No.

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

• Common side-effects
  • On the arm where you got the shot:
    • Pain
    • Swelling
  • Throughout the rest of your body:
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Tiredness
    • Headache
• If you have pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also contact a Federally Qualified Health Center.
• If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.
• CDC is also implementing a new smartphone-based tool called v-safe to check-in on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When you receive your vaccine, you should also receive a v-safe information sheet telling you how to enroll in v-safe. If you enroll, you will receive regular text messages directing you to surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions you have after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Learn more: What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine - English (PDF)
  • Qué esperar después de la aplicación de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 - español (PDF)

View the CDC's guidance on When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated for information on what you can do after you are fully vaccinated.

I haven’t been vaccinated yet. How can I get a gift card?

The vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself from severe infection or hospitalization caused by COVID-19. You must receive either the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at a Metro Health vaccine clinic to be eligible to receive a gift card while supplies last.

If I received my first vaccine dose at another clinic or location not associated with Metro Health but get my second dose at a Metro Heath vaccine site, can I get the gift card?

Thank you for getting vaccinated! Yes, if you get your second dose at a Metro Health vaccine site, you are eligible for the gift card just as long as you received your first dose after July 31, 2021.

Is there an age requirement to receive the gift card?

There is no age requirement. The Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for people 5 and older and is offered at Metro Health vaccine sites.

Do I need to show any type of identification or proof of residence to receive the gift card?

Yes. You will need to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card. You will also be asked to fill out a form with your name, address, zip code, date of vaccination and the type of vaccine received.

If I completed my vaccine series after July 31, but before the gift cards became available on September 24, can I still get a gift card?

Thank you for getting vaccinated. Unfortunately, you are not eligible to receive the incentive.

I got vaccinated at a non-Metro Health site, am I still eligible for a gift card?

No. This incentive program is reserved for Metro Health vaccine sites only.

I’m already fully vaccinated. Can I get a gift card?

Unfortunately, the gift card is only for people who have yet to be fully vaccinated. The incentive is to encourage people to become fully vaccinated.

Can I pick up a gift card for myself and my child who is getting vaccinated?

Yes. You can receive a gift card on behalf of your child after he/she completes their vaccine series at a Metro Health vaccine clinic. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 5 and older and is offered at Metro Health vaccine sites.

Can I get a booster shot and pick up a gift card?

No. The gift cards are an incentive to encourage vaccinations among unvaccinated people.

What date will the gift cards be available?

September 24.

Where can I pick up my gift card?

Eligible individuals will be given a gift card at the time their vaccine series is completed at a Metro Health vaccine site.

Are there any items that cannot be purchased with the H-E-B gift card?

No alcohol or tobacco products can be purchased.

Who paid for these gift cards?

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) provided funding for municipalities to encourage vaccinations in their communities. The CDC approved Metro Health’s use of $1 million from federal COVID-19 relief funds to purchase 10,000 gift cards from H-E-B to incentivize vaccinations in San Antonio and Bexar County.