Covid Vaccine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The FDA and the CDC are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. At this time, the available data suggests that the chance of developing a rare blood disorder – thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) – is very low, and the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

For women between the ages of 18 and 49, this adverse event is rare, occurring at a rate of about 7 per 1 million vaccinated women. For women 50 years and older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare. Women younger than 50 should be aware that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen.

Patients who receive the Janssen vaccine should monitor for severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath for 2 weeks after administration.

If experiencing symptoms, patients should contact their healthcare provider.

The Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are offered in select CVS locations. Find locations and schedule your appointment.

Yes, all children ages 12 – 15 are eligible to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at CVS Pharmacy, beginning Thursday, provided there is parental or legal guardian consent and the child is accompanied by an adult.

Because the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is currently the only authorized vaccine for children in this age group, we recommend making an appointment online at cvs.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app at a nearby location that has the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to ensure there is adequate supply and availability. Walk-ins are also accepted. Our online scheduling tool will only display appointments at locations that have the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine once the patient’s age is provided.

At this time, our CVS Pharmacy locations that are currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine have either the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine – not more than one type at this time. Patients are able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on CVS.com before scheduling, which is recommended especially when looking for an appointment for children ages 12 – 15 that require the Pfizer vaccine. Our online scheduling tool will only display appointments at locations that have the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine once the patient’s age is provided.

Yes, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration on cvs.com for minors seeking the COVID-19 vaccine. An adult must accompany children ages 12 – 15 to the appointment at CVS Pharmacy, but does not need to accompany teens ages 16 and older, unless required by local or state law.

CVS Health immunizers include pharmacists, pharmacy interns and trained pharmacy technicians, as well as other qualified health care professionals depending on each state’s specific regulations. All CVS Health immunizers are certified according to company requirements, trained in the administration of immunizations, and hold an active CPR certification.

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have two doses, with the second dose coming a few weeks after the first. Pfizer-BioNTech’s second dose comes three weeks after the first, and Moderna’s comes four weeks later. The second dose gives people a strong, long-lasting immunity. While these two vaccines include a second dose, the Janssen vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) requires one dose.

At this time, our select CVS Pharmacy locations that are currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible populations have either the Moderna, Pfizer or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine - not more than one type at this time. Patients will be able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on cvs.com before scheduling. Depending on which vaccine you receive, you will be prompted to schedule a second dose if needed.

The COVID-19 vaccine is no cost with insurance or through a federal program for the uninsured.

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. This data demonstrates that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID 19. CVS Health is only administering vaccines that have been authorized for use by the FDA and our COVID-19 vaccination services are being conducted in compliance with CDC guidance for safe delivery of vaccines.

According to the CDC, you may have some side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects include pain and swelling on the arm where you got the shot, and fever, chills, tiredness and headache throughout the rest of your body.

CVS Health immunizers are trained in the safe administration of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the FDA, including identifying and treating allergic reactions. The vaccination procedures include a patient screening checklist to assess the risk of reaction. All patients are monitored for 15 minutes after administration injection, or longer for people with a history of severe allergic reactions.  Our immunizers are equipped with appropriate medications, such as epinephrine and antihistamines. Further information on COVID-19 Vaccines and allergic reactions can be found here

On February 2, 2021, the CDC announced the next phase of the vaccination program – the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. As part of this program, CVS Health is receiving vaccine allocations supply from the federal government and is now vaccinating eligible populations in 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

On May 13, the CDC updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people including new guidance that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Read the full guidance.

Yes, when scheduling an appointment on CVS.com, patients are given a choice of where they’d like to schedule their two appointments (if required).

Patients receive email and text confirmations for each scheduled dose, as well as reminders that are sent 7 days and 2 days out, and a check-in reminder 15 mins prior to each appointment.

Beginning June 18, customers and patients 18 years of age and older will also be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at select MinuteClinic locations in 14 states and Washington, DC. These new locations are in addition to the more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations that are offering the vaccine across all 50 states.

For a list of eligible MinuteClinic locations, click here.

At this time, MinuteClinic is only offering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). We look to offer other brands of the COVID-19 vaccine in the future.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available to all patients 18 and older at participating MinuteClinic locations. Currently, customers can walk-in to a participating MinuteClinic location and register for an appointment at the kiosk outside the clinic or add-on the vaccine if they are visiting the clinic for another health care service. Soon, patients will also be able to schedule a vaccine on-line at MinuteClinic.com.