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Public Health - COVID19 Vaccination

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1. When will everyone be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Right now, Scott County Public Health is vaccinating healthcare workers who work in Scott County (definitions here) and Scott County residents aged 65+. 

The Minnesota Department of Health decides who is vaccinated and when. We are vaccinating people as vaccines become available. As vaccine supply increases, more people will have the chance to get vaccinated. To stay informed about vaccine opportunities, follow Scott County on social media or visit our website at www.scottcountymn.gov/vaccine (links to our Public Health page).

2. Do I have to live and/or work in Scott County to be eligible to receive the vaccine at one of the Scott County clinics?

Yes, and you must bring an item so we can verify. See below: 

• Residents 65+ must bring proof or residency. Examples: a state ID with a Scott County address, or a drivers license with a Scott County address.
• Healthcare workers* who work in Scott County must bring proof of employment. Examples: a work ID or a paystub from your employer located in Scott County
  
  *Not sure if you’re eligible? Click here to see a list of personnel definitions from the Minnesota Dept. of Health

Vaccine Information from neighboring counties:

• Carver County
• Dakota County
• Hennepin County

3. Which COVID-19 vaccine is Scott County Public Health administering?

Scott County Public Health will provide the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as a registered vaccine provider through the Minnesota Department of Health.

Learn more about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:

• Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Emergency Use Authorization information from Moderna
• Vaccine Recipient Fact Sheet from Moderna

4. How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

COVID-19 vaccines provided by Scott County Public Health and MDH are free. The federal government is covering the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone. You will be asked for your health insurance information when you get the vaccine, but this so your provider can seek reimbursement from the government for an administrative fee.

5. How many shots are needed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19? How do I make another appointment to get another shot?

The currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines require 2 shots to get complete protection:

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart.
• Moderna vaccine doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart.

Scott County Public Health is administering the Moderna vaccine. Residents who sign up for their first clinic are required to provide an email during the process. You will receive an email notification about three weeks after your first appointment with options for making a second dose appointment. You should not get a second dose earlier than the 28 day mark, but it is safe to get one after the 28 day mark. 

6. If I previously had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to be vaccinated?

Yes, you should still get vaccinated if you previously had COVID-19. If you’ve had COVID-19, wait until 90 days after your diagnosis to get a vaccine.

7. If I register through the State's process, do I need to register through Scott County too?

No, you do not need to register with us. The State of Minnesota’s process is separate. 

More importantly, the State of Minnesota is providing the Pfizer vaccine and Scott County Public Health is providing the Moderna vaccine. Both vaccines are alike in quality, but have different waiting periods between doses. You must receive the same vaccine, from the same provider, to ensure you are safely and completely vaccinated. 

8. Will the COVID-19 vaccine be required?

Minnesota will not require COVID-19 vaccines. You have the right to refuse or accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Scott County Public Health strongly encourages you to get the COVID-19 vaccine if it is available to you. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you, your family, co-workers, friends, healthcare workers, and our larger community.

9. Why does the registration system ask for my insurance information?

The vaccine’s cost is covered, but there are some minor reimbursement processes that occur in the background. Scott County Public Health will use this information to contact your insurance company for an administrative fee. You do not need to pay at any point in the process.

10. Do I still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing if I have received two doses of the vaccine?

Yes. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. This includes wearing a face mask, washing hands often, staying at least 6 feet away from others and avoiding crowds.

11. Is the COVID-19 vaccine live or inactivated?

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

Messenger RNA vaccines – also called mRNA vaccines – are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases.  They teach our cells how to make a protein—or even a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. 

12. Will a COVID-19 vaccination prevent me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes, it will prevent you from getting sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19.

Being protected from COVID-19 is important because there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you personally. Though many people with COVID-19 only experience a mild illness, others may develop a severe illness, have long-term health effects from the disease, or die. 

13. When should I expect the notice for my second dose?

You will receive an email notification from the PrepMod system reminding you to sign up for a second dose. This will be the same email you provided when you sign up for your first dose appointment. 

The email will contain a unique link to your second dose clinic. Please do not share this link with anyone. 

14. How long does it take for the vaccine to be fully effective?

To get maximum protection, you must get two doses of the same vaccine, administered at the appropriate times. It can take about six weeks (from first dose to second) before you are completely protected from COVID-19. If you only get one dose, you may not be protected (immune) against COVID-19.

Two doses are needed for the two COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The time between the doses depends on the vaccine you are getting: 

• Pfizer vaccine - doses must be given 21 days apart - the State of Minnesota is providing Pfizer vaccines at their clinics
• Moderna vaccine - doses must be given 24-32 days apart - Scott County Public Health is providing Moderna vaccines at our clinics

It is critical that you get both vaccine doses, the same product for each dose, and that the doses are given at the correct time. The vaccine is only fully effective with both doses of vaccine. After the second dose, it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection, so it’s about six weeks total from the first vaccine dose to when you should be fully protected.

15. Is the vaccine safe?

Yes, the vaccine is safe, vetted by state and federal experts, and suitable for public use. 

All vaccines go through clinical trials to test their safety and effectiveness, including vaccines for COVID-19. The manufacturers must present data that shows the vaccine is safe and that it works before it is approved for general populations. This data is reviewed by scientific groups at the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After a vaccine is authorized or approved for use, many safety monitoring systems are in place to watch for possible side effects. This monitoring is critical to help ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh the risks for people who receive vaccines. 

16. I’ve heard that there is pork and gelatin in the COVID-19 vaccines. Is this true?

No. There is no pork, gelatin, or other animal products in the COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and can prevent you from getting a severe case of COVID-19.

17. What if I have a weakened immune system?

COVID-19 vaccines may be given to people with underlying medical conditions provided they have not had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Please speak with your doctor to see if you are eligible to receive a vaccine at this time. 

While people in this category may receive the vaccine, they should be aware of the limited safety data. Visit the CDC’s website to learn more.

18. Will interpreter services be available for non-English speakers?

At this time we are planning for interpreter services and will post more information when available. 

19. Why isn't Scott County posting more clinics in advance?

We thank you for your patience as we respond to COVID-19 vaccine supply and demand. There are many factors at the state and federal level that influence our ability to plan and post clinics in advance. Rest assured, our Public Health staff work around the clock to plan clinics, sometimes on a week’s notice. We know this process is difficult and confusing, but we are committed to keeping Scott County residents safe and informed. Learn more about vaccine distribution in Minnesota.