Thousands of people in Oregon are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and eligibility will be opening widely to everyone age 16 and older no later than May 1. The vaccine may bring about many feelings: hesitation and excitement to name a couple. We are here to help with the facts, straight from our partners at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Why get the vaccine?
- The vaccine will make your body stronger to fight COVID. You can not get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
- A vaccine is prevention. It protects you from getting sick.
- You can get a vaccine by getting a shot in your arm from a health care provider.
- Remember: the best way to beat the virus is to get a vaccine, wear a face mask, stay 6 feet apart, wash your hands, and avoid large gatherings.
What to expect
- Everyone will be observed for 15-30 minutes after vaccination. Your vaccine provider will want to make sure you're feeling okay.
- For the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, you will need to get two shots. You get the second shot 3 or 4 weeks after you get the first one. It is important for you to get both shorts for the vaccine to work.
- The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one shot.
- You will be informed which vaccine you receive and what follow-up, if any, you need to have. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after you get your final vaccine.
- After you get the shot: your arm may be sore where you got the shot, you may feel tired, you may have a headache, and you may get fever or chills (less common). This doesn't mean you are sick. It means the vaccine is working to keep your body healthy.
The vaccine is safe and free for everyone
- All three authorized vaccines are safe. The vaccines have been tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
- The vaccine does not change your DNA and does not contain any animal materials. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a virus that makes us develop immunity to COVID-19. Producing this vaccine virus requires the use of cells grown in laboratories from cells taken from fetal tissue many years ago. The vaccine does not contain fetal cells.
- COVID-19 vaccines don't contain a microchip to track people. Vaccine shipping boxes are tracked, as any other shipment, to make sure they're distributed where needed and to prevent theft. There is also a record of where you got your vaccine to make sure you get all your doses.
- The vaccine is free for everyone in Oregon. You will not be charged for the appointment or the vaccine.
- Everyone in Oregon who is eligible can get the vaccine and it will not affect your immigration status.
Do I need proof of eligibility or identification?
- You do NOT need to bring proof of eligibility or identification. Vaccine providers may ask if you live in Oregon or what kind of work you do.
- You do NOT need a Social Security number.
- You do NOT need health insurance. If you have health insurance, bring your information so your vaccine provider can bill your insurance company. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for you to get the vaccine.
Where can I get the vaccine?
Visit govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine (English) or govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine/es (Spanish) to find out how to schedule a vaccine appointment.
For more information
- Go to covidvaccine.oregon.gov (English) or vacunacovid.oregon.gov (Spanish). Call 211 for additional languages. 211 is the state's COVID-19 vaccine hotline. Call volumes may be higher than normal.
- Sign up to receive eligibility and vaccine event alerts at getvaccinated.oregon.gov.
- Text ORCOVID to 898211 (English and Spanish only)
- Email ORCOVID@211info.org
- Call 211 or 866-698-6155 (toll-free). For TTY call 711 and then dial 866-698-6155. (Open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., including holidays)