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FAQs

Updated: September 8, 2022

What are Sauk Prairie Healthcare's visitor guidelines?

To protect all of our patients and staff, we are limiting the number of visitors at our hospital and clinics while there is a threat of COVID-19 transmission. Our visitor policy has recently been updated. See our full list of restrictions and exceptions here.

BOOSTER AND ADDITIONAL DOSES OF COVID19 VACCINE

What’s the difference between a booster dose and an additional dose?

An “additional dose” is recommended for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because they may not have built enough protection after the initial vaccine series. For details about COVID19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html .

A “booster dose” is given when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have decreased over time. While the primary COVID19 vaccination series continues to be effective at reducing severe disease, hospitalization, and death caused by COVID19, protection against mild to moderate disease can fade over time. The booster dose is intended to boost your immune system for better, longer lasting protection.

Who is eligible to get a booster dose?

For a complete list of who is eligible to receive a booster dose or a second booster dose, visit the CDC's website.

What should I do if I’m immunocompromised?

Immunocompromised people have a reduced ability to fight disease, a lower immune response to the original vaccine series compared to other fully vaccinated people, and are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. For details about COVID19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html . If you are immunocompromised and are interested in receiving an additional dose of COVID19 vaccine, contact your primary care provider to discuss your vaccination options.

How do I schedule my booster dose?

Appointments for a booster dose of Pfizer COVID19 vaccine can be scheduled at many Sauk Prairie Healthcare locations (go to www.saukprairiehealthcare.org/COVID19-Vaccine to find a vaccine location). To find other vaccinators who offer boosters, visit vaccines.gov. Bring your vaccination card to your booster appointment.

Can you mix and match the COVID19 vaccines?

Booster Doses: Yes, CDC’s recommendations now allow for mix and match dosing for booster doses. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose – Moderna or Pfizer. Children 5 years and older may only get a Pfizer booster.

Additional Doses: The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna). If you are 18 years or older and the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, you can get the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product that is available. For example, if you received your first two doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine but you cannot find a vaccine location that has Pfizer vaccine, you can get an additional dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if you are 18 years or older.

COVID19 VACCINE

Which vaccine can I get from Sauk Prairie Healthcare?

For people ages 5 and older, we are offering the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine at our primary care clinics. For children ages 6 months to 4 years, we are offering Moderna COVID19 vaccine at our primary care clinics.

What do parents need to know when scheduling their minor child for COVID19 vaccine?

Due to minor status of those ages 6 months to 17 years, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND, and in some cases require, that a parent/guardian accompany the minor to the vaccination. If you are unable to accompany your minor to this appointment, please contact your clinic to discuss options. To review Pfizer’s Emergency Use Authorization, go to: https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download.

Where can I get a COVID19 vaccine?

There are many locations in the community where you can receive the COVID19 vaccination – this includes select medical facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores, and other locations. To make an appointment to receive the vaccine at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, go to: www.saukprairiehealthcare.org/COVID19-Vaccine. To find other locations, visit www.vaccines.gov.

Who can receive the COVID19 vaccine?

The COVID19 vaccination is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Does the vaccine affect fertility?

There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.

Can pregnant women receive the vaccine?

It is recommended that pregnant and recently pregnant people get the COVID19 vaccine. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID19 compared with non-pregnant people.

Is there a cost to receive the COVID19 vaccine?

Your COVID19 vaccination is free to you. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. You will not be charged an out-of-pocket cost. Sauk Prairie Healthcare will charge a vaccine administration fee to your health insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or employer (if arrangements have been made for your employer to cover the cost). You will be asked to provide health insurance information when you are called to schedule your appointment. You will not receive a bill, even if you do not have insurance.

Is the vaccine safe? Is it experimental?

The COVID19 vaccination is safe. Far from being experimental, these mRNA vaccines are the result of decades of research. They were tested on tens of thousands of volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds before becoming available to the public. We can have confidence in their safety.

If I have already had COVID19, am I immune?

Research indicates that after a person has a COVID19 illness their body makes antibodies to the virus. At this time, it is unknown how long those antibodies and the additional immune system memory remains effective against repeat infection. In fact, it is known that unvaccinated people who get a COVID19 illness can get additional infections, some severe, suggesting their initial immunity is not protecting them enough. Because of this, it is recommended individuals who have had a COVID19 illness still receive the COVID19 vaccine to protect against severe illness or death from another COVID19 infection.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.

How do I prove I received the vaccination?

Once you have received your first vaccination, you will be provided with a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Your Record Card is your documentation that you have received both doses of the vaccine. Do not lose your Record Card.

What do I do if I’ve lost my COVID19 vaccination card?

If you were vaccinated in Wisconsin, you’ll need to use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) to get proof of your vaccination. Your WIR record can be used in place of your vaccination card.

If you were vaccinated in another state, go to that state department of health website to determine how to get a copy of your record.

What are the vaccine effects of the COVID19 vaccine?

General vaccine effects that have been reported include injection site tenderness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting and fever. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare, and can include difficulty breathing, swelling of your face and throat, elevated heart heartbeat, development of a rash all over your body, dizziness and weakness. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. If you experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine, contact your health provider and report to the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System.

Why do people say the COVID19 vaccine will help “slow the spread” – what does that mean?

The vaccines available in the U.S. are vitally important in slowing the spread of an extremely contagious disease. If you get the vaccine, you not only protect yourself but you drastically slow the spread of COVID19 to others in your family, your business, and your community.