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About the Vaccine

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Employees and students will be provided with information about the vaccine prior to vaccine administration. Please read the information carefully so you are fully informed about what to expect. Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.

How does the vaccine work? 

The Pfizer vaccine is injected into your arm, just like a flu shot, and requires two doses: an initial dose and then repeat vaccination three weeks later. There is a mandatory 15-minute monitoring period after vaccine administration.

You must receive both doses of the vaccine. Once you receive the first dose, you will be scheduled for your second dose.

The Continuity of Operations Task Force is reminding everyone that, even after vaccinations are widespread, it is absolutely essential that our masking, social distancing and sanitation protocols continue to be followed.

Pfizer-BioNTech reports that its vaccine is roughly 95% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection. It is not known how long immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine will last.

If you have already had COVID-19, you should still get the vaccine.

The CDC and FDA believe people who were sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from the vaccine. Persons with documented acute infection in the preceding 90 days may delay vaccination until near the end of this period, if desired, because current evidence suggests reinfection is uncommon during this time.

Vaccine ingredients

The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine includes the following ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.

The CDC recommends that you should not get and EVMS will not administer the vaccine if you:

  • Had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
  • Had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

If you have had an immediate allergic reaction—even if the reaction was not severe—to a vaccine or injectable therapy for another disease, ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Your doctor will help you decide if it is safe for you to get vaccinated.

At this time, EVMS will only offer the COVID-19 vaccine to those with a history of severe allergic reactions with written clearance from your healthcare provider.

Receiving the vaccine if you are pregnant

Anyone who is pregnant and/or breastfeeding and in the recommended priority group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may receive the vaccine if they choose to do so.

If you have questions about whether the vaccine is right for you, please speak with your healthcare provider. While a conversation with a healthcare provider may be helpful, it is not required prior to vaccination.

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