COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID 19 Vaccine

Latest Update on COVID-19 Vaccine: Jan. 15, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine supply is a national concern and Ochsner’s vaccine shipments remain variable week to week.

Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and some scheduled appointments will be impacted.

Patients with first-dose appointments scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21 – Monday, Jan. 25 will receive a notification from Ochsner via text, MyOchsner or email if their appointment is postponed and will have priority access to reschedule once we receive additional vaccines.

Patients who have received their first dose are GUARANTEED their second dose regardless of date and should keep their vaccine appointments. This appointment must remain on the schedule as previously scheduled and cannot be moved to a different day, time or location.

We understand that our community members are eager to receive the vaccine and acknowledge this news is disappointing. Rest assured, Ochsner is working quickly and diligently to be able to administer as many vaccines as possible once we receive additional inventory. We will open additional vaccination appointments as we receive more vaccine from the state of Louisiana.

We encourage community members to visit this webpage for updates on scheduling availability or sign up for our weekly vaccine update email at ochsner.org/covidvaccine. 

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your ongoing interest and patience. 

We appreciate your willingness to be part of the solution as we work together to end this pandemic. Please continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, maintain good hand hygiene and avoid gathering with individuals outside of your household.

Clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines are still continuing. 

Learn more about vaccine trials

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Scheduling

  • How can I schedule? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and some scheduled appointments will be impacted.
    • Patients with first dose appointments scheduled for Thursday, January 21 – Monday, January 25 will receive a notification from Ochsner via text, MyOchsner or email if their appointment is postponed and will have priority access to reschedule once we receive additional vaccines.
    • We appreciate your willingness to be part of the solution to end this pandemic.

  • Who can get the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • On Monday, January 4, the state expanded access to COVID-19 vaccinations to Phase 1B, which includes people age 70 and older, patients who are on dialysis, patients receiving home health services, ambulatory healthcare workers, pre hospital emergency personnel, and schools of allied health employees and faculty.
    • While the CDC recently updated the COVID-19 eligibility criteria to include adults ages 65 and older, current Louisiana vaccine guidelines state that vaccinations are available to only the above-mentioned group at this time.
    • Like all hospitals and pharmacies across the country, we are continuing to experience unprecedented demand and a high volume of vaccine appointment requests. COVID-19 vaccine supply is a national concern and Ochsner Health’s vaccine shipments remain variable week to week.
    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and some currently scheduled appointments will be impacted.
    • Patients with first dose appointments scheduled for Thursday, January 21 – Monday, January 25 will receive a notification from Ochsner if their appointment is postponed and will have priority access to reschedule once we receive additional vaccines.
    • There are an estimated 485,000 people above the age of 70 in Louisiana. We understand there is great community demand and we appreciate your understanding as we rollout vaccines over the coming weeks.
    • This will help towards the national goal to end to this pandemic.

  • What if I don’t have an appointment, can I still get the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Due to the complex storage and limited time constraints with the COVID-19 vaccine, we want to ensure we are efficiently utilizing doses avoiding any waste.
    • Because of this constraint, those who meet the eligible criteria must have a scheduled appointment at the designated location to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A full list of the criteria can be found at covidvaccine.la.gov.
    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at this time.

  • I don’t fall into Phase 1B. When will I get my vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • While the CDC recently updated the COVID-19 eligibility criteria to include adults ages 65 and older, current Louisiana vaccine guidelines state that vaccinations are available for adults age 70 and older, patients who are on dialysis, those receiving home health services, ambulatory healthcare workers, and schools of allied health employees and faculty.
    • We are committed to upholding the state’s tiered structure and are hopeful that the vaccine will be available to more members of the public soon.
    • We encourage community members and patients to sign up for our weekly vaccine email at Ochsner.org/covidvaccine, visit Ochsner.org/vaccine or covidvaccine.la.gov for the latest information and resources.
    • We look forward, under the guidance of the CDC, state and LDH, to the day when we can offer the COVID-19 vaccine to all members of our community.

  • I’m an Ochsner patient and live in a different state. Can I still receive the vaccine since I met the criteria? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Thank you for your inquiry regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. While the CDC recently updated the COVID-19 eligibility criteria to include adults ages 65 and older, current Louisiana vaccine guidelines state that vaccinations are available for adults ages 70 and older, patients who are on dialysis, patients receiving home health, ambulatory healthcare workers including pre hospital emergency medical personnel (EMS) and fire personnel, and schools of allied health employees and faculty, regardless of which state they live in.
    • We encourage you to check your state’s department of health website for vaccine eligibility criteria, as it may be different than Louisiana.
    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, Ochsner will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization and Distribution Questions

  • How are vaccines approved? What is the process? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Vaccines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after rigorous and extensive development in laboratories, as well as pre-clinical animal studies and testing on human volunteers, to ensure they are safe and effective.
    • Monitoring of the vaccine and how it’s produced, including regular facility inspections, must continue for as long as the manufacturer holds a license for the vaccine.
    • Additionally, the drug sponsor follows a multi-layered approval process, which includes an investigational new drug application, clinical trials and presentation of data to a special FDA advisory committee.

  • What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)? plus_icon minus_icon

    • During a public health emergency, an EUA authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a product available to diagnose, treat or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases.
    • The FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have assured the public that no safety or efficacy evaluation steps would be skipped in approving the vaccine.

  • How long does emergency use last? plus_icon minus_icon

    • An emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the emergency or until the FDA grants approval. To win full FDA approval for a New Drug Application, the pharmaceutical sponsor will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug's safety and benefit for patients.

  • How many vaccines will Ochsner get? plus_icon minus_icon

    • The state of Louisiana is in charge of allocating the vaccines, so we do not know how many we will receive at this time. We are in close contact with the state, and we are operationally prepared to support as many doses as we receive.

  • Should I take a COVID test before or do I need to be COVID-free before receiving the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • You do not need to take a COVID-19 test prior to receiving the vaccine. If you are COVID-19 positive, then it is recommended that you follow the CDC guidelines and isolate for 10 days to limit exposure to others. Once you are out of isolation, you are able to receive the vaccine.

  • How much will the vaccine cost? plus_icon minus_icon

    • There will be no direct cost to employees or patients at this time.

Vaccine Safety, Effectiveness and Side Effects Questions

  • What is the difference between each vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • The Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccines are two shots – one shot followed by a booster either 21 or 28 days depending on the vaccine. Each uses mRNA, or messenger RNA, which gives cells instructions to create a protein like the SAR-CoV2 protein. Once the protein is created, it triggers the immune response leading to the production of antibodies.
    • The Janssen vaccine uses one shot. It utilizes the adenoviruses which are the same viruses that can cause the common cold. These inactivated/non-infective adenoviruses can be used to deliver DNA, which are instructions for proteins. For the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers swap in a gene from SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) so that the modified cold virus makes the SARS-CoV2 protein, stimulating production of antibodies and additional immune responses to fight off the virus. The process creates an immune memory, which ultimately teaches the body to both recognize and attack the virus.

  • Is the vaccine safe? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Current data from COVID-19 vaccine trials that have been released supports the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. There have been no significant safety concerns for either the Pfizer vaccine or Moderna vaccine which are the two vaccines we anticipate will get EUA by end of the year. Over 37,000 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine during the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials with no significant side effects. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of not being immunized.

  • What does vaccine efficacy mean? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Most commonly used in clinical trials, vaccine efficacy is a percentage measured by calculating the risk of disease among vaccinated and unvaccinated persons.
    • For example, vaccine efficacy of 90% means a 90% reduction from the number of cases you would expect if they have not been vaccinated.
    • Vaccine effectiveness is different and shows the ability of vaccine to prevent outcomes of interest in the “real world.”

  • If I participated in a vaccine trial, can I still get the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Each trial sponsor needs to review to see if any such potential process and amendment to the original protocol (where participants stay blinded for the 24-month duration of the study) would be subject to the input of the regulatory authorities.
    • If you are currently a participant in one of the Ochsner vaccine trials, please contact your study staff for more information.

  • Now that a vaccine is in emergency use, does that mean that vaccine trials have stopped? plus_icon minus_icon

    • No, the current vaccine trials will continue for the intended duration which for most trials is 24 months.
    • Additionally, we will see more trials for new vaccines and new targeted populations and these new potential trials will need research participants.
    • With more than 7 billion people in the world, more trials are needed to help vaccinate the entire world.

  • I heard some of the vaccine trials were canceled – does that mean they’re not safe? plus_icon minus_icon

    • No COVID-19 vaccine trial has been canceled. Two trials were paused which is normal for all clinical trials to take a closer look at symptoms participants develop to see if there are possible side effects. Sometimes the symptoms have nothing to do with the actual product. This process is in place to ensure that any product brought to the public is as safe as possible. Both trials that were paused were resumed once an independent safety monitoring board deemed the side effects not related to the vaccine.

  • Does Ochsner endorse the COVID-19 vaccine and suggest all employees and patients receive the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Ochsner Health fully supports and highly encourages widespread vaccination under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for all employees and our patients. Ochsner will only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified as safe and effective for all patients and employees, including our most vulnerable populations. Ochsner’s contributions to the vaccine trials have helped illustrate their safety to the FDA. Large scale vaccination of our community is the best way to keep everyone safe and to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • How long will the vaccine last? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Since this is a novel virus, we are still unsure how long the vaccine antibodies will last. We are closely monitoring the research as more data becomes available.

  • What are the possible side effects of the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Like the flu shot, the vaccine is administered into a large muscle in the upper arm or thigh. As is the case with any vaccine, allergic reactions may occur. Some may experience mild fever, soreness, muscle aches, headaches, chills, fatigue/tiredness, muscle or joint pain, redness and/or swelling at the site of administration. These are signs of an immune response to the vaccine and expected in some patients.
    • Based on data reported from the FDA emergency use authorization (EUA), possible side effects have been more prominent after the second dose.
    • If you have pain or discomfort, you can take your normal pain reliever or talk to your pharmacist about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
    • To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot, you can apply a clean, cool compress over the area. To reduce discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids.

  • What happens if I feel ill after receiving the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • While extreme serious reactions to the vaccine are rare, you should seek medical care if:
      • you experience a severe allergic reaction call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
      • the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
      • your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days
    • Ochsner On Call can answer questions at 800-231-5257 or 504-842-3155
    • If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
    • Report side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Reporting instructions are included in Fact Sheet you received when you got your vaccine.

  • Can I have my flu shot around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Yes, there are no restrictions in receiving your flu shot around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, Ochsner recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot.

  • Can I still become infected after receiving the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • The vaccine cannot cause you to test positive via nasal swab or saliva test. This is not a live vaccine and will not cause you to shed virus.
    • Some patients may still become infected or develop symptoms following vaccination against COVID-19. However, the current vaccines under consideration all have greater than 90% efficacy of preventing you from getting infected. They also have demonstrated that your risk of a severe infection that requires you to be hospitalized is greatly reduced following immunization.

  • Does the vaccine prevent me from getting it or spreading it? plus_icon minus_icon

    • That is the intent. Instead of traditional vaccines, which may use the virus itself, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will use a protein on the outside of the virus. This means the vaccine can’t cause COVID-19 in a person, because it’s not using the virus that causes the disease.
    • This stimulates your body’s immune system to mount a response as if it were a true infection, minimizing your risk of infection or disease burden should you encounter the same virus later. The current vaccine candidates have been demonstrated to be over 90% effective in preventing you from developing symptomatic infection from COVID-19.
    • However, in order to stop this pandemic, we need to use every tool available which includes the immunization, social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks.

  • Are there any restrictions, such as quarantining in place, after receiving the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • No, there are no restrictions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, but you should continue to wear your mask, social distance and practice good hand hygiene.

  • What is the deferral period for potential blood donors who receive the COVID-19 vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • No deferral is necessary for whole blood or platelet donors who received non-replicating, inactivated or RNA-based vaccines or the mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Can individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP)? plus_icon minus_icon

    • No. The FDA does not feel that it would be acceptable for these individuals to donate CCP. This is because it is not known yet if the CCP would be efficacious from a vaccinated person.

  • Will I still have to mask and social distance after I get the shot? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Yes. Remember, it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines that require 2 shots may not protect you until at least a week after your second shot.
    • It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions.
    • Until we reach herd immunity and the majority of the United States has been vaccinated, we will need to continue to practice social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks. These are the best ways to reduce your chance of being exposed to or spreading the virus until we end this pandemic.

  • If I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered, should I still get vaccinated? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Yes. There is not enough information currently available to say how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. In order to stop this pandemic, we need to use every tool available which includes the immunization, social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks.

  • Can I get routine vaccinations (flu, tetanus, shingles, pneumonia, etc) with my COVID-19 vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • It is generally recommended to avoid scheduling “routine” immunizations 14 days before or after your scheduled COVID-19 vaccination. If other vaccines are administered, there is no need to alter the COVID-19 immunization schedule or repeat any of the immunizations.

  • I received my first dose and heard vaccine supply is extremely limited. Will I still be able to receive my second dose? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Patients who have received their first dose are GUARANTEED their second dose regardless of date and should keep their vaccine appointments.
    • This appointment must remain on the schedule as previously scheduled and cannot be moved to a different day, time or location.

  • I am over 70 but not an Ochsner patient. Can I get vaccinated? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.
    • We understand that our community members are eager and excited to receive the vaccine and acknowledge this news is disappointing. Rest assured, Ochsner is working quickly and diligently to be able to administer as many vaccines as possible once we receive additional inventory.
    • We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to achieve this goal.

  • What if I don’t have an appointment, can I still get the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Due to the complex storage and limited time constraints with the COVID-19 vaccine, we want to ensure we are efficiently utilizing doses avoiding any waste.
    • Because of this constraint, those who meet the eligible criteria must have a scheduled appointment at the designated location to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A full list of the criteria can be found at covidvaccine.la.gov.
    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at this time.

Different Types of Vaccines Questions

  • Is it uncommon to have multiple drug manufacturers produce and distribute a vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • It is not uncommon to have multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers produce and distribute a vaccine against the same preventable disease. In fact, numerous vaccines, such as those for influenza and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) are well-known and common vaccines who use several different manufacturers for vaccine development and distribution.

  • Why are some of the COVID-19 vaccines two shots versus one shot? plus_icon minus_icon

    • The series and dosing for each vaccine is based on the initial results from the clinical trial data. Just because some vaccines may have one shot vs two, doesn’t mean that one is less effective than the other.

  • What happens if I don’t get the booster/2nd shot within the allotted timeframe? Will I still be considered vaccinated? plus_icon minus_icon

    • To best maximize the efficacy of the vaccine and to ensure an optimal effectiveness, it is highly recommended that you receive the second dose within the specified timeframe as directed by the manufacturer. If you don’t receive the second shot, you will greatly decrease the chance of the vaccine working.

Vulnerable Population Questions

  • Are there any health restrictions that would prevent me from receiving the vaccine? plus_icon minus_icon

    • COVID-19 vaccination may not be for everyone. If you are unsure if you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please call your healthcare provider to discuss the possible benefits and risks.

  • Can I get the vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Following guidelines from the FDA, no one is excluded from receiving the vaccine, even patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The only medical contraindications to receiving this vaccine are severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine or severe allergic reaction to components of this vaccine. Additionally, you may also review this advice from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine for those pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Will the vaccine affect fertility? plus_icon minus_icon

    • · The claim circulating on social media that the COVID-19 vaccine causes female infertility is FALSE and is not supported by any research. Following guidelines from the FDA, no one is excluded from receiving the vaccine, even patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as there are no medical contraindications to receiving this vaccine. Ochsner is encouraging all employees and patients to receive the vaccine as soon as it’s available to them. You may review this advice from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine for those pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Should children get vaccine? What ages is the vaccine for? plus_icon minus_icon

    • Currently, there are a few trials that are enrolling various age groups including children ages 12 or greater.
    • Just like the adult COVID-19 vaccine trials, data from children and adolescent COVID-19 vaccine trials will need to support the safety and efficacy of the vaccines before approval for the population.
    • Ochsner will only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified as safe and effective for all patients and employees, including our most vulnerable populations. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization.

  • I saw that the CDC has changed its eligibility to adults ages 65 and older. Why is Ochsner not following these criteria? plus_icon minus_icon

    • While the CDC recently updated the eligibility criteria to include adults ages 65 and older, Louisiana will maintain its previous criteria of adults age 70 and older, patients who are on dialysis, patients receiving home health services, ambulatory healthcare workers including pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS) and fire personnel, and schools of allied health employees and faculty.
    • Those who are receiving the vaccine at any Ochsner location will be required to attest that they meet criteria and provide proof if asked. A full list of the criteria can be found at covidvaccine.la.gov.
    • Due to the limited vaccine supply, we will no longer be able to schedule new appointments for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines
    • We will continue to post new information as it becomes available at www.ochsner.org/vaccine.

COVID-19 PSA en español con El Dr. Leonardo Seoane

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El Dr. Leonardo Seoane, pulmonólogo, intensivista y director académico de Ochsner Health, anima a la comunidad hispana a recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19 cuando esté disponible.

“Como médico, confió plenamente en la seguridad y eficacia de la vacuna y entiendo lo importante que es para todos poder tener la oportunidad de recibir la vacuna. Por eso mismo me ofrecí como voluntario para ser uno de los primeros en ser vacunado” dijo, el Dr. Seoane.

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Facebook Live Q&A: COVID-19 Update

Watch the Q&A session on COVID-19 vaccines with Dr. Robert Hart on the Ochsner Health Facebook page. 

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Coronavirus Vaccine Information

How Are Vaccines Approved?
How Does the COVID Vaccine Work?
COVID-19 Vaccine: Who Gets it First?
What Are the Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Why do Some Vaccines Require Two Doses?
When Can Children Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Can Pregnant Women Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
What’s in the COVID-19 Vaccine?
How Does a Pandemic End?
I Had COVID-19. Do I Still Need A Vaccine?
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