Sleep well, live well
COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida: Where to Get One in Southwest Florida
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- Imtiaz Ahmad MD, MPH, FCCP
- coronavirus, covid-19
- City : bonita spring, cape coral, estero, labelle, lehigh acres, naples, port charlotte, punta gorda
Table of Contents
Florida is administering COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna to adults 65 and older, health care workers and long-term care residents and staff as of January 2021. The following COVID-19 vaccines have received emergency use authoriza.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in persons 16 years of age and older.
- The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in persons 18 years of age and older.
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
- See how and when you can get vaccinated. Your local health department determines how vaccines are distributed.
- Continue taking precautions and stay informed. Wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and avoid crowds to protect yourself.
Following are specific information regarding COVID-19 vaccination in Lee, Collier and other Southwest Florida counties (CLICK the link as follows).
There will be additional vaccination sites available currently and in near future. Please check out following links:
Once vaccinated, use your smartphone to tell CDC about any side effects using the V-safe app. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you. You’ll also get reminders if you need a second vaccine dose. V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Your participation in CDC’s v-safe makes a difference — it helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- There is no fee for the vaccine.
- Reservations are required to visit the vaccination site. You should plan to arrive no earlier than 45 minutes before your designated appointment time.
- Please bring government-issued identification (Healthcare workers bring a copy of your ID badge or a current pay stub).
- Be prepared by bringing water, snacks, and any medication you need. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather conditions.
- Expedite the process and print and complete the FDOH Moderna vaccine screening and consent form before you arrive.
Review information from Moderna on what to expect post-vaccination and information on the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
I strongly recommend you get vaccinated. The vaccine will
help protect you from getting COVID-19. If you still get
infected after you get vaccinated, the vaccine may prevent
serious illness. By getting vaccinated, you can also help
protect people around you.
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized
for use or in development in the United States use the live
virus that causes COVID-19. However, it typically takes a few
weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That
means it’s possible you could be infected with the virus that
causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get
Sick.
Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you
have already had COVID-19, because you can catch it more
than once. While you may have some short-term antibody
protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know
how long this protection will last.
No. More studies need to be conducted before COVID-19
vaccines are recommended for children younger than
age 16.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people
with underlying health problems like heart disease, lung
disease, diabetes, and obesity. People with these conditions
are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19
No. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long this protection lasts. Vaccination is the best protection, and it is safe. People who get COVID-19 can have serious illnesses, and some have debilitating symptoms that persist for months
Currently authorized vaccines, and most vaccines under development, require two doses of vaccine. The first shot helps the immune system recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. You need both to get the best protection.
There may be side effects, but they should go away within a few days. Possible side effects include a sore arm, headache, fever, or body aches. This does not mean you have COVID-19. Side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to build immunity. If they don’t go away in a week, or you have more serious symptoms, call your doctor.
Because all COVID-19 vaccines are new, it will take more time and more people getting vaccinated to learn about very rare or possible long-term side effects. The good news is, at least 8 weeks’ worth of safety data were gathered in the clinical trials for all the authorized vaccines, and it’s unusual for vaccine side effects to appear more than 8 weeks after vaccination.
All COVID-19 vaccines were tested in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people to make sure they meet safety standards and protect adults of different ages, races, and ethnicities. There were no serious safety concerns. CDC and the FDA will keep monitoring the vaccines to look for safety issues after they are authorized and in use.
I am encouraging all recipients who receive the vaccine to enroll in v-safe. This is a smartphone tool you can use to tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you report serious side effects, someone from CDC will call to follow up. I will give you instructions for how to enroll.
For now, the two vaccines available in the U.S. are found to be similarly safe and effective, The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is offered 21 days later, while Moderna is offered 28 days later.
No food precautions are required. Staying well hydrated prior to the vaccine is encouraged for people who tend to feel lightheaded with vaccines or blood draws.
In any public setting, there’s a possibility of being exposed to the virus. The vaccine dose received that day won’t offer additional protection. However, vaccine-site organizers are aware of the risks and take precautions throughout the process, which includes floor decals and furniture spaced at least six feet apart, along with strict masking and capacity limits.
People are asked to stay at the site to be monitored for adverse effects for 15-30 minutes, including allergic reactions, though these are rare. Those experiencing any post-vaccine sensations can call over a medical professional to address concerns.
Delayed reactions are possible including allergic reactions or worrying side effects after returning home. If that happens, immediately seek medical help.
Adults will receive a vaccination card that includes the lot number and name of the administered vaccine along with a reminder to get their second dose. Those going for their second dose will need to bring this card with them. Your vaccination data is also recorded by the vaccine provider and stored electronically. Later, you may need your vaccine document for work or travel purposes.
While many experience no side effects at all, some younger people with more robust immune systems often have a stronger immune response to the vaccine, which can take the form of side effects including fatigue, muscle aches and soreness at the injection site. People over age 55 had less reactogenicity, because their immune systems aren’t as vigorous as those of younger individuals. Those who have previously had Covid may also have a stronger immune response. In addition, the second dose is likely to induce more side effects, most are mild to moderate severity. It is very rare to be hospitalized due to side effects.
There is partial protection 2-3 weeks after the first dose. However, a second dose is mandatory to assure complete protection as published per clinical trial data.
Precautions including mask-wearing and staying away from others are important even after you’ve been fully vaccinated, as the vaccines aren’t 100% effective. Late-stage trials showed Pfizer has 95% effectiveness while Moderna has 94.1%. Additionally, it is possible that even those who have been vaccinated can carry the virus without showing symptoms and pass it onto others. Research on this is still under way.
QUESTIONS ABOUT A SLEEP ISSUE? LET’S TALK.
Imtiaz Ahmad, MD, MPH, FCCP
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is a highly qualified physician, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He has been actively serving the community of Lee County, Florida since 2004, with a strong focus on a proactive healthcare approach. Dr. Ahmad has received advanced training from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, State University of New York at Brooklyn, and the University of Mississippi. SOMNAS is a medical facility that is committed to improving and maintaining the health of patients with sleep disorders. The expert team at SOMNAS is known for their compassionate and high-quality care. They offer unparalleled treatment and care to patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, ensuring a better and healthier life for them.
Job Title: Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine
