A syringe near bottles of COVID-19 vaccines.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the United States safe?

    Yes. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website focusing on COVID-19 vaccines:

    COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

    Results from these monitoring efforts are reassuring. While some people don’t have any side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, many people will have mild side effects after COVID-19 vaccination, like pain or swelling at the injection site, a headache, chills or fever. These reactions are normal and show the vaccine is working. A small number of people have had a severe allergic reaction (called “anaphylaxis”) after vaccination, but this is extremely rare and when it does happen, vaccination providers have medicines available that they can use to effectively and immediately treat the reaction. You will be asked to stay for 15 to 30 minutes after you get your vaccine so you can be observed and provided treatment in the rare case it is needed.

    The combination of COVID-19 vaccination and following the CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others offers the best protection from COVID-19. The CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible.​

  • What are the side effects of getting the vaccine?

    The CDC is a source for the latest information about vaccines.

    Read “What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.”

  • Is vaccination available on campus?

    As Sindecuse Health Center is allotted vaccine inventory, the campus community will be informed of vaccine clinics and appointment periods. 

    During the week of April 12, clinics will be held at the Student Recreation Center on Wednesday, April 14, from noon to 4 p.m. and on Thursday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to noon.  Pfizer-BioNTech's two-dose vaccine is being administered at the clinics for students, faculty and staff.  Because Pfizer's product is a two-dose vaccine, you must be willing and available to return in 21 days to complete the series. Your second dose of vaccine will be scheduled at the time of your first appointment.

    Make your appointment right away using the health center's patient portal.

     

     

  • How do employees account for time away from a job to get vaccinated?

    If the appointment occurs during work hours, go to the vaccination as if it were part of your work day. Let your supervisor know about your appointment to allow coverage for duties while you are away. You do not need to claim leave time. If the appointment is outside your work hours, you may not claim overtime. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

  • I don't think my risk is as high as others. Can I defer my vaccine appointment so others may get one?

    When you are invited to get the vaccine, do it. The sooner everyone is vaccinated, the sooner the pandemic ends. Health experts are prioritizing populations in phases. While individual variations exist from one locale to another, you are being asked to get the vaccine because your role fits into the overall vaccination plan. Local administrators are not able to attend to individual exceptions or concerns, and your cooperation is appreciated.

  • How can my spouse or dependents get the vaccine?

    Here are several possible sources for vaccination:

    • Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department has now opened COVID-19 vaccine distribution to all county residents age 16 or older. Any county resident who is eligible may schedule an appointment online.

    • Bronson Healthcare and Ascension Borgess are administering shots to its patient population.

    • Meijer, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and several community providers in the area have been chosen by the state of Michigan to help administer COVID-19 vaccines.

    Conditions and providers may change, so check the county website for current details.

    After receiving vaccine, Sindecuse Health Center will vaccinate current students, faculty and staff. Once the health center accommodates the needs of the campus population, we anticipate opening eligibility to spouses and dependents of students and employees.

  • If I have had a second dose of the vaccine, may I still be asked to quarantine if I have close contact with a confirmed positive case?
    If you report close contact with a confirmed positive case, you do not need to quarantine or isolate after the second dose of the vaccine only if the following conditions are met:
    • It must be at least 14 days after your second COVID-19 vaccine dose but not longer than 90 days. 
    • You must be asymptomatic. 

    If you become symptomatic, or it is more than 90 days after the second vaccination, you should call the health center for an appointment.