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Your good health is our priority. The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines is a positive turning point in a public health crisis that has impacted all of us. Information about the vaccines is changing rapidly. We know you have a lot of questions about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, as well as how you can obtain a vaccine.
The decision about the priority order of vaccine distribution was made by government agencies. Please note that the supply of vaccines available to MedStar Health is limited, and requests for vaccines currently are greater than our available supply. Please be patient in scheduling your vaccine appointment and take advantage of all vaccine options available to you.
Remember: Continue to stay safe with face mask wearing, good hand hygiene, and physical distancing measures.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQS
Washington, D.C.: The District of Columbia has begun vaccinating the general public. To be eligible for the vaccine in the District of Columbia, you must be a resident and 65 years of age or older. If you are a current MedStar Health patient, you may request a vaccination appointment by clicking here. DC residents can also register for a vaccine appointment at vaccinate.dc.gov or call 855-363-0333.
If your COVID-19 Vaccine appointment has been confirmed at one of our four MedStar Health Community Vaccines Locations, click here to view directions and public transportation information.
Maryland: Effective Monday, January 18, Maryland enters Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination process. This phase includes Maryland residents who are 75 years and older. NOTE: MedStar Health Maryland vaccination sites will not begin accepting and scheduling appointments until Tuesday, January 19 or Wednesday, January 20 depending on the site. An appointment for the vaccine is required. To request a vaccination appointment, clicking here. Maryland residents also can go to covidvax.maryland.gov to find a location that is convenient for them and request an appointment.
On Monday, January 25, the state will enter Phase 1C, which includes Maryland residents ages 65 to 74.
The state of Maryland began vaccinating residents over the age of 75 the week of January 18. Maryland residents who are signed up for the state’s emergency text alerts will get a text message each time the state starts vaccinating a new group. To sign up, send a text message to 898211 with the phrase “MdReady.” Once we receive vaccines for the general public we will update this site with a request a vaccine link.
Virginia: Virginia has entered into a phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations, which includes Virginia residents aged 65 or older. MedStar Health is not currently vaccinating patients in Virginia. If you want to sign up to get vaccinated, visit the Virginia Department of Health website or call the Virginia Department of Health hotline at 877-275-8343.
MedStar Health Communication Vaccine Location Directions: If your COVID-19 Vaccine appointment has been confirmed at one of our MedStar Health Community Vaccine Locations, click on one of the following links to view directions and public transportation information based on your location.
Please note that the supply of vaccines available to MedStar Health is limited, and requests for vaccines currently are greater than our available supply. Please be patient in scheduling your vaccine appointment and take advantage of all vaccine options available to you.
Maryland
If you are a resident of Maryland and are 75 years or older, you may request a vaccination appointment by clicking here. At the time of your first dose appointment, we will schedule an appointment for the second vaccine dose.
If you are a resident of Maryland, you also can go to covidvax.maryland.gov to find an alternate location that is convenient for you and request an appointment.
District of Columbia
If you are a current MedStar Health patient, a resident of the District of Columbia, and are 65 years or older, you may request a vaccination appointment by clicking here. At the time of your first dose appointment, we will schedule an appointment for the second vaccine dose.
MedStar Health Communication Vaccine Location Directions: If your COVID-19 Vaccine appointment has been confirmed at one of our MedStar Health Community Vaccine Locations, click on one of the following links to view directions and public transportation information based on your location. Please note that the supply of vaccines available to MedStar Health is limited, and requests for vaccines currently are greater than our available supply. Please be patient in scheduling your vaccine appointment and take advantage of all vaccine options available to you.
- MedStarHealth.org/Vaccine
- Once eligible, click here if you are a DC resident and here if you are a Maryland resident to indicate your interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination from MedStar Health.
- The websites for the CDC and FDA
- The District of Columbia has set up a website to register for email updates.
- Maryland residents who are signed up for the state’s emergency text alerts will get a text message each time the state starts vaccinating a new group. To sign up, send a text message to 898211 with the phrase “MdReady.” Once eligible, Maryland residents also can go to covidvax.maryland.gov to find a location that is convenient for you.
- In Virginia, the vaccine plan is outlined here.
However, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. Importantly, you could become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 from external sources (NOT from the vaccine), shortly before or after vaccination and get sick because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.
If you have symptoms not commonly seen after the vaccine, (such as shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste/smell, sore throat, runny nose) or a temperature higher than 100.4° F, you should contact your personal physician.
Pfizer used independent scientists and studied more than 40,000 people who volunteered to take part in these trials. Since almost all safety issues have occurred within the first two months of past vaccine safety studies, participants were closely observed for safety issues throughout a two-month period. No serious safety issues were reported, although minor side effects were common.
The Moderna vaccine was tested in 30,351 participants (Note: 30,000 to 45,000 participants is a typical sampling in many vaccine studies) who were followed for a median of more than two months after receiving the second dose, which is the time period during which vaccine complications are expected to be seen. The vaccine was 94.5% protective against becoming ill with COVID-19. As with the Pfizer vaccine, the Phase III trial was a rigorous scientific study.
You can read more at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccine safety site here.
The Moderna vaccine was studied in more than 30,000 volunteers; 25% were 65 years of age or older, 1 in 5 were Hispanic or Latino, one in 10 were African-American. Demographic characteristics were similar among participants who received Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and those who received placebo. Like the Pfizer vaccine, effectiveness was more than 94%.
See information from the FDA about approval for COVID-19 vaccines here.
Learn more about how CDC is making COVID-19 vaccine recommendations here.
- A severe allergy or anaphylaxis to any substance containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate, including bowel prep (e.g., GoLytely).
- A fever above 38°C (100.4°F) .
- Tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days; 20 days from testing positive if you were hospitalized due to COVID-19.
- Had any other vaccine within the last 14 days.
- A severe allergy or anaphylaxis to any substance containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate, including bowel prep (e.g., GoLytely).
- A fever above 38°C (100.4°F) .
- Tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days; 20 days from testing positive if you were hospitalized due to COVID-19.
- Had any other vaccine within the last 14 days.
- For two weeks prior to your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
- In between your first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
- For 14 days after your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
You can also schedule a visit with a MedStar Health provider through MedStar eVisit. MedStar eVisit gives you 24/7/365 video access to trusted medical providers, making it easy to get non-emergency medical care, anywhere, anytime. Connect via secured video from your tablet, smartphone, or computer. Sign up for free by creating an account. Visit MedStarHealth.org/eVisit from your desktop or download the MedStar eVisit app from your IOS or Android device.
Second, while the vaccines are 95% effective, like all vaccines, there is a small chance you could still contract the disease after receiving the vaccine. Months from now, once most of the population has been fully vaccinated, these recommendations may change. In the meantime, there is a small chance (5%) of contracting COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine. Therefore you could potentially expose others if you had no symptoms. This is why masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene continue to be critical.