AAMG COVID-19 VACCINE FAQs 1/26/2021
1. When can patients receive the COVID-19 vaccine through AAMG?
Currently, we do not have authorization from the health department to vaccinate our patients. We do not know which vaccine we will receive or when we will receive vaccine. Our staff is in constant communication with the health department so we can actively monitor the situation.
2. Which AAMG office(s) will be administering the vaccine?
At this time, Walnut Creek is the only location registered with California to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Walnut Creek building is equipped with the appropriate ultra-cold freezer, should that be necessary for vaccine storage.
3. How will patients be informed when AAMG gets the vaccine?
AAMG will reach out to patients by phone call and/or email if/when we have vaccines available. Please reach out to our front office to ensure you are on our email contact list. Patients may also visit our website at bayareaallergy.com.
4. A patient already has a vaccine appointment scheduled through the health department but would prefer to get vaccinated through AAMG. Should they cancel my appointment with the local health department?
At this time, we would STRONGLY encourage all patients to keep their appointment with the local health department as we do not yet know when we will be receiving our vaccine supply.
5. How much will the vaccine cost?
The government states that there will be no out of pocket cost to any patient. We will bill the patient's insurance for the administration fee but there should not be any out of pocket costs.
6. If a patient already had COVID-19, should they still receive the vaccine?
Yes. According to the CDC “There is not enough information available yet to say if, or for how long after infection, someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. More studies are needed to better understand this. If you know you have had COVID-19 or you think you may have had COVID-19, you do not need to get any testing prior to vaccination. If you have COVID-19 right now, you should wait to be vaccinated until your isolation period is over.” (CDPH)
7. Should a patient receive the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines if they are immunocompromised or have an autoimmune disease?
Yes, a patient may choose to be vaccinated as long as they do not have a contraindication to vaccination. Please see detailed considerations about vaccination of people with underlying medical conditions here: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html#underlying-conditions.
8. How do patients know when they are in an approved tier to receive the vaccine?
Please check the local health department’s website and go to the COVID-19 vaccine page. They are updated regularly and can best guide you on when you are eligible.
9. If a patient has asthma, are they a priority to receive the vaccine?
Information about when a patient is eligible to receive the vaccine can be found at this link: https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/.
10. How long should patients wait between getting the COVID-19 vaccine and their allergy immunotherapy injection or biologic medication? We do not anticipate any contraindication for patients on AIT. However, it would be best to wait 48 hours between the allergy shot/biologic medication and the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid confusion should a reaction occur.
11. What should patients do if they have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine/injectable medication in the past?
A history of any immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy is a precaution to currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine may be given; however, these patients should have an office visit with their allergist prior to receiving the vaccination to discuss unknown risks of developing a severe allergic reaction and balance these risks against the benefits of vaccination. These individuals should be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination (cdc.gov).
12. What if a patient has received another vaccine in the last 14 days?
The COVID-19 vaccine series should be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of other vaccines. This recommendation is based on the lack of data on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered simultaneously with other vaccines (cdc.gov).
13. How do patients know if they are considered high risk for severe COVID-19 illness?
COVID-19 can affect anyone. Risk factors can be assessed here. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/assessing-risk-factors.html
14. If a patient has had a severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to pets, food, a single oral medication, venom, latex, or pollen, can he/she receive the vaccine?
CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions to food, pets, venom, environmental, or latex allergies get vaccinated. Patients with a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated (cdc.gov). Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions of any kind should be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination. Patients who have had allergic reactions to vaccines, injectable drugs, drug infusions, components of mRNA vaccines, and multiple oral medications should consult with their allergist.
15. What are the ingredients in the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex. For a full list of ingredients, please see each vaccine’s Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
16. What should a patient do if they have had, or thinks they have had, a reaction to any ingredient or component listed in the COVID-19 vaccine?
History of anaphylaxis or an immediate allergic reaction (of any severity) to any COVID-19 vaccine or any component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is a contraindication to any current COVID-19 vaccine. Please have the patient schedule an appointment with their primary allergist so they can review the details of their previous reactions, discuss risks and benefits, and perform allergy testing if needed to the ingredients listed.