We understand that some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated. This is the first time we’ve been faced with a situation like this in our lifetimes. And there have been times throughout history where our government and healthcare system has abused communities of color. All of this can lead to mistrust and concern.

We believe that COVID-19 vaccination is the best tool to help stop the pandemic, keep people from getting sick and dying, allow us to spend time with our loved ones again, re-open schools and businesses, and go back to our normal way of life. It addition to protecting you and your loved ones from illness, getting vaccinated means we can safely return to doing the things we miss. You shouldn’t wait!

The COVID-19 vaccine development process included all the usual safety steps – none were skipped. The process was quicker than we’re used to for a few main reasons:

• Scientists and public health experts around the entire world focused their efforts on the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. This has not happened in our lifetimes!
• Companies produced millions of vaccine doses at the same time as the clinical trials were happening – this way, we would not need to wait to actually make the vaccines at the end of the safety tests.
• Scientists didn’t have to start from scratch. They used what they learned from previous coronavirus outbreaks like SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2012 to help figure out the science behind how the COVID vaccine works.

All three vaccines available now are very effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19, hospitalizations and death. Data from clinical trials shows that Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. The Johnson & Johnson, one-dose, vaccine is 86% effective at preventing severe illness or death from COVID-19. The vaccines are effective for all genders, races and ethnicities. This is very good news!

Hundreds of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given out across the United States with no more than a handful of reports of serious side effects. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and FDA will continue to closely study the results of all vaccine trials before approving any vaccine for use.

Following a careful safety review, the FDA and CDC recommended that the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine should start being used again. Use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was briefly paused so scientists could study 15 extremely rare reports of blood clots out of nearly 8 million people who had received the vaccine so far. After this careful review, scientists feel that the potentially life-saving benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine FAR outweigh its known and potential risks. Our top scientists and doctors have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.

It is important to keep in mind that the risk of this blood clotting side effect is significantly less than 1% and the risk of developing a blood clot from an active COVID infection is 16.5%. This is part of the reason that the CDC and FDA recommended we use the vaccine again.

Erie is offering all three vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. You have a choice of which vaccine you would like to receive when you schedule your appointment.

It depends on which brand of vaccine you get. Both the vaccine created by Pfizer and the vaccine created by Moderna require two doses.  After you receive the first dose, you will need to come back to Erie at least 21 days later to receive the second dose. While you might receive some protection after the first dose, neither vaccine is fully effective until one or two weeks after the second dose. 

The vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson requires only one dose. It is fully effective two weeks after you receive it. 

The best vaccine is the one that is most convenient for you. It is very important for all of us to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All three vaccines available to us now are very effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19, hospitalization and death. 

Erie is now providing all three vaccines: Pfizer, Modern and Johnson & Johnson. You can choose which vaccine you would like to receive when you schedule your appointment.

The most common side effects reported by people who received the COVID-19 vaccine are:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fever
• Pain or swelling at the site of the injection (upper arm)

Most people report that the side effects are more noticeable after the second dose (if it is a two-dose vaccine). Any side effects typically go away after a day or two.

Erie now has vaccine appointments easily available for anyone age 16* and up.

There are 3 easy ways to get vaccinated at Erie: 

1. Make an appointment online, in your own time. 

1. Take advantage of our walk-in locations and hours, whenever you’re ready. 

1. Give us a call at 312.666.3493 and we’ll help you get scheduled.  

*Please note that 16- and 17-year-olds must have consent from a parent or legal guardian in order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they are pregnant or parenting.

It isn’t true that only older adults and people with pre-existing conditions are at risk for getting really sick from COVID. As more and more older adults become fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the virus is still mutating and spreading rapidly among those who are not yet vaccinated – and this mostly includes young people. The most dominant COVID-19 strain in the US right now, the B.1.1.7 strain, is about 50% more contagious than previous variants AND also causes people who catch it – including young people – to get sicker. Hospitals are treating more cases of severe COVID-19 illness in young people than any other point in the pandemic. At the end of April 2021, more people age 18 - 49 were hospitalized with COVID than people age 50+. 22% of new COVID cases in the US are children. 

To protect your own health, and the health of your friends and family, it is important that you don’t pass up vaccination now that it’s available to you! This quick shot, which is easier to access than ever, will allow you to safely return to in-person classes, activities, parties, concerts, etc. without the risk of getting sick, spreading COVID to anyone who might get really sick, or developing long-term health challenges that can come after a COVID diagnosis.

COVID-19 can be serious, and even deadly, and there is no way to know how the virus will affect you. And even if you catch the virus and don’t get very sick, you could still spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you. COVID-19 has proven to have much more serious symptoms than the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is by far the safer bet.  Public health experts say that it would be well after 2021 for enough people in the US to become naturally immune to COVID-19, and that without a vaccine, hundreds of thousands more people will die.

The only people who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine are people with a history of severe allergies to its ingredients. Anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can still receive the vaccine but will be monitored for 15 minutes longer after vaccination to ensure they are safe. People with mild to moderate allergies to food, the environment or medications are still highly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have further questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

Please call your healthcare provider to talk about what is best for you.

There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems.  If you are trying to become pregnant, you do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes, you should. After you have recovered from COVID-19, scientists do not yet know how long you are immune from catching COVID-19 again. The vaccine will be your best protection.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a mask in public indoor settings outside of your household, such as the grocery store. However, you will not need to wear a mask when visiting indoors with other fully vaccinated people or when participating in small activities outdoors. You must continue to wear a mask when outdoors and in crowded settings and venues, such as a ball game or music festival.

No. Erie provides all of our care, including the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available, regardless of a person’s immigration status.

Chicago Department of Public Health COVID-19 site

Illinois Department of Public Health Vaccine FAQs

CDC COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions