When will PGSF be getting COVID vaccines in our office?

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The simple answer is we don’t know. We have applied to the state via Florida Shots and informed our vaccine suppliers that we are interested in obtaining the vaccine to administer in the office. The state will determine when and who will be able to administer the vaccine. We are still awaiting updates and do hope to be able to offer it in our office.

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Where will patients be getting COVID vaccination if not in our office?

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Local hospitals have begun distributing vaccines to the community, although most are currently offering only to over 65 years old. This will change as more people get vaccinated, so keep following and trying. Please refer to the top of this page for some of the locations that are currently offering the vaccine.

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Do you need a referral or prescription to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

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There is no need for referrals or prescriptions to get vaccinated, even for high-risk individuals.

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Will COVID vaccinations be covered by my health insurance?

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Medicare has announced that it will cover the COVID-19 vaccine and most commercial insurers will likely do the same. There may be a small administration charge, likely covered by insurance. Please reach out to your insurance company for more specifics about your individual situation.

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Which COVID vaccines are available and which one is best for me?

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Currently, the Pfizer mRNA vaccine and Moderna mRNA vaccine have received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA and we are expecting that other non-mRNA vaccines will be coming in the future as well. mRNA vaccines are highly effective with low risk of reported side effects. Data for the other vaccines, including the Astra-Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, which are spike protein vaccines, isn’t yet available. Currently we highly recommend the two that are available. The data behind both of these vaccines is strong with high both EUA vaccines. With the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and high risks from the disease (including potential long-term cardiac damage and death), the vaccine is a good way to protect yourself and those around you.

If you have a specific medical situation, please discuss that with your physician.

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What are the risks of vaccination?

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Both emergency use authorized vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) have shown very low risk in their studies. With the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and high risks from the disease (including potential long-term cardiac damage and death), the vaccine is a good way to protect yourself and those around you. There is no released data currently for pregnant patients and for those under 16 years old.

If you have a specific medical situation, please discuss that with your physician.

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Should I get the flu vaccine this year?

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Absolutely! After the Flu shot, it is recommended to wait 14 days before taking the COVID Vaccine. Even though we are social distancing and wearing masks as recommended by the CDC, we all remain at risk for influenza as we are currently in season. It is recommended to get the vaccine to protect ourselves and others. We are currently offering the influenza regular dose and influenza high dose vaccine in the office in a safe manner, please make an appointment if you’d like to come in and get the influenza vaccine.

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Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine even if I was infected with COVID-19?

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It is generally recommended to wait at least 90 days after experiencing disease with COVID-19 before getting the vaccine. We are commonly seeing that immunity wanes with time to COVID-19 and there are reported cases where a patient has recovered from COVID-19 and has been diagnosed with a second case. We do think the immunity will be more long lasting with the vaccine.

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Is there a PGSF waiting list for the COVID vaccine?

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Currently, there is not. We don’t currently have access to the COVID-19 vaccine and feel it wouldn’t be appropriate to give our patients a sense that they will definitely be able to get it from us since we don’t know ourselves for sure. Local pharmacies are also preparing to get supply of the vaccine and may have waiting lists, so please inquire there as well. We know how eager people are to get the vaccine and we are as well! We are trying our best to receive supply for our patients. Please continue to wear masks, social distance, and limit interaction with others outside of your household unless absolutely necessary.

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How long will immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine last?

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We do not yet know the long-term immunity that the COVID-19 vaccine may provide. For the two emergency use authorized vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), 2 injections are required. As with some other vaccines such as influenza and tetanus, booster vaccination in the future may also be recommended, but it is too early to tell.

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