COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available at both Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer and Samaritan Clinic on Patton. To receive a vaccine or booster, make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Who should get a vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, as well as vaccine booster doses for those ages 5 years and older who are fully vaccinated.
If you have questions about the vaccine, please speak with your healthcare provider and visit the CDC website for more information.
Who should get a vaccine booster?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccine boosters for ages 5 years and older who have been fully vaccinated. 1 booster dose is recommended for everyone ages 5 years and old who have completed their vaccine primary series, if eligible. 2 booster doses are recommended for adults ages 50 years and older and some people ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
If you have questions about the vaccine booster, your eligibility to receive a booster dose, or when you should receive your booster(s), please speak with your healthcare provider and visit the CDC website for more information.
Where can I receive a vaccine or booster dose?
COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are being distributed at both of Samaritan’s Clinics by appointment. Vaccines will administered if you have an appointment, and if you have filled out the COVID-19 Patient Consent Acknowledgement Form.
Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer
1550 S. Pioneer Way
509.793.9770
Samaritan Clinic on Patton
8420 Aspi Blvd.
509.793.9781
Healthcare workers: Your appointment should be scheduled one or two days before your next scheduled shift. This is precautionary, in the event that you have pain at your injection site or any minor side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Timeline and Availability
Will people who have had COVID-19 be able to get the vaccine?
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine when I get routine vaccinations?
Yes, you can receive the vaccine at any time.
How much will it cost to get vaccinated?
Safety and Effectiveness
How does the COVID-19 vaccine work in my body?
The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies (“fighter cells”) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.
Why is a COVID-19 vaccine going through research and testing so much faster than other vaccines?
Coronavirus research has been occurring since the SARS and MERS coronavirus outbreaks in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, respectively. Due to the mortality of those diseases, they were more easily controlled and funding dried up for vaccine development. When COVID-19 broke out, funding returned, and the previous research enabled us to develop a vaccine in a quicker manner.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safety-tested?
All vaccines on the market today have received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. This authorization is based on large scale trials that didn’t quite have the data until early May to apply for full FDA approval. Since May 7, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have applied for full approval which will likely be granted by the end of the year. Any vaccine mandates are likely to be implemented after full approval.
If I get the COVID-19, do I still need to take other precautions?
Yes and no. As always it is best to respect local, state, and company policies. However, the CDC has advised that outside a public transit option or a healthcare facility that a mask is no longer needed for vaccinated people in other settings. One other caveat is that if you have contact with severely immunosuppressed friends that masking is advised.
Side Effects
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine does not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. It is recommended that you continue precautions until two weeks after your second dose.
What are the normal side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Side effects may feel like flu and even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. The most common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Swollen lymph node
How do I treat side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you have pain or discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Contact your healthcare provider if:
- Redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
- Side effects are worrying you
- Side effects do not seem to be going away after a few days
- Are there any serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Are there any serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
There may be unexpected side effects or a small chance of a severe allergic reaction, which would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over your body
- Dizziness and weakness
Are there long-term side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
There are no published reports of long-term side effects, but the COVID-19 virus has many published long-term effects such as increased stroke/heart attacks. Ongoing trials are still happening but no data currently supports any conclusions.
More information
Where can I find more information?
For the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the following websites:
Watch this short video for tips on how to identify which information you can trust.