COVID vaccine and booster shots near me in Ridgeland, WI

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

• Where can I get COVID vaccine in Ridgeland?

  The COVID vaccine is currently available to eligible individuals through health clinics, hospitals, health departments, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices including urgent care centers. COVID vaccine locations in Ridgeland—as well as the availability of appointments and doses at each location—are changing daily. Solv, through partnership with vaccingfinder.org and others, is actively maintaining the list of providers above and is refreshing at least daily, so check back frequently. Additionally, check directly with vaccine providers near Ridgeland as last minute availability for eligible populations sometimes opens up.

• When will children be able to get the COVID vaccine in Ridgeland?

  As of November 2, the Pfizer vaccine has received EUA from the FDA and approval from the CDC to vaccinate kids 5-11 years old. At this point, everyone 5+ years old in Ridgeland are eligible for the COVID vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccines for children under 5 years old are still awaiting results of clinical trials and approval from the FDA. Research shows these COVID vaccines are remarkably effective and safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges children and adults to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they can. Once the FDA provides emergency use authorization (EUA) for the vaccines to be administered to children, it is likely that the same providers in Ridgeland that are currently administering the vaccine to adults will begin accepting appointments for kids.
  

• What pharmacies are administering the COVID vaccine in Ridgeland?

  Independent pharmacies, as well as regional and national chains, are administering the COVID vaccine across the country. Most are partnered with HHS directly to make the vaccine available as quickly as possible. Here are a few of the major pharmacy chains administering the vaccine with details on how to register for an appointment:

  • Albertsons will be making the COVID vaccine available at stores nationwide based on regional distribution and eligibility schedules. Appointments fill up fast and they will release appointments as they receive supply.
  • CVS stores nationwide are adding the COVID vaccine to their online schedule as it becomes available in each market, allowing people to schedule both their first and second doses (as applicable).
  • Costco pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available, in accordance with CDC and state guidelines. Register on their website. Note: Please do not contact the local Costco pharmacy as they are unable to schedule an appointment or provide current eligibility requirements.
  • Kroger is partnering with federal and state agencies to deliver one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per week across their pharmacies, clinics, and off-site events. Their website will be regularly updated with information on local availability.
  • Rite Aid pharmacies are scheduling vaccine appointments in accordance with local and state eligibility requirements. Check the linked PDF for the latest details. Note: Please do not call your local Rite Aid pharmacy for a vaccine appointment.
  • Target expects to be able to start distributing the COVID vaccine their their partnership with CVS and their on-site pharmacy locations. Check the CVS pharmacy website for updates and dates when more vaccines will become available.
  • Walgreens will be providing COVID vaccines to consumers at all of its 9,000+ store locations. Check their website to see which locations presently offer the vaccine and their appointment availability.
  • Walmart is administering the vaccines based on state and federal eligibility guidelines and is scheduling appointments at thousands of their stores nationwide. Check their website often for availability as the vaccine continues rolling out to more stores.

• How many COVID vaccine doses will I need?

  The first two COVID vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna each require two (2) doses of the COVID vaccine. Each dose must be of the same product, and will need to be separated by either 21 days or 28 days, depending on the vaccine. That means if you received your first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, your second dose must also be the Pfizer vaccine. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, approved for use in the US on February 27, 2021, only requires one dose. Consult your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.

• How long will the COVID vaccine last?

  In most cases, COVID-19 testing and antibody testing is available at no out of pocket cost if you are covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. You will likely have to pay a normal office visit copay, however. For cash paying patients, the two largest labs have reported that the Medicare rates (likely the lowest cost) to process an antibody test is around $50 and $100-$200 for a PCR swab test. It is important to understand that many healthcare providers are requiring screenings prior to testing, which may or may not be covered by your insurance, and may or may not require additional copays.

• Can you contract COVID if you are vaccinated?

  After immunization, the body normally takes a few weeks to develop immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19). That means a person could become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 before or after vaccination and still become unwell. This is due to the vaccine's inability to provide protection due to a lack of time.

• Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

  Vaccines against COVID-19 are both safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, which have been subjected to the most stringent safety testing in the country's history. You should acquire a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible, according to the CDC.

• Can you spread COVID if you are vaccinated?

  While the ability to transmit COVID-19 is possible after you have been fully vaccinated, experts believe it will happen at a slower rate given the efficacy of the vaccine. It's most like only relevant for people who don't have a good immunological response to immunizations in general.

• Do I need a COVID booster shot?

  According to the CDC, as of October 21, 2021, individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series: (1) 65 years and older, (2) Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings, (3) Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions, and (4) Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings. For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.