The vaccine is our best shot at recovery and a return to complete normalcy. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated. Currently, there are several ways to get vaccinated from various providers including County, State and Federal vaccination sites and programs. Please see below for a list of current vaccination locations. For the most up-to-date information on vaccines in Miami-Dade County, please visit Miami-Dade County’s webpage.
Individuals 18 years of age or older may receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of Florida residency is not a requirement to receive the vaccine in Florida but individuals must provide a photo identification. Minors between the ages of 5 – 17 may receive the Pfizer vaccine, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring with them a completed parental consent form.
Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive the booster dose of the vaccine if they were fully vaccinated at least six months ago. Minors between the ages of 5 – 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring with them a completed parental consent form.
There are various locations to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Not all vaccination sites yet offer the vaccine for children ages 5-11. For the most up-to-date vaccination locations and hours, visit Miami-Dade County’s webpage.
Mobile COVID-19 vaccination is available for ages 12 and up at the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center seven days a week from 8 am – 5 pm. Minors between the ages of 12 – 17 may receive the Pfizer vaccine but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring with them a completed parental consent form. The Booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine is available for those who are eligible.
Pediatric vaccines will be available for children ages 5-11 at the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center (1st floor parking garage) on Tuesday, December 28, and Wednesday, December 29 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered. No appointment is needed. Onsite registration is required. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the latest vaccine information:
What vaccines are available to protect against COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)?
Currently, there are three vaccines available to prevent COVID-19 in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to permit the emergency use of the products Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson [Janssen] for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 5 years of age and older (Pfizer) or individuals 18 years of age and older (Moderna and Johnson & Johnson).
What is the update on the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?
CDC and FDA have recommended that use of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine resume in the United States, effective April 23, 2021. A review of all available data at this time shows that the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks for those recommended to receive it. However, women younger than 50 years old especially should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after vaccination, and that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen.
The pause allowed CDC to communicate with healthcare providers and re-emphasize the importance of reporting severe events in people who have received this vaccine, as well as how to report such events. The pause also gave experts time to carefully review all available data and conduct a risk-benefit analysis around the use of this vaccine.
Who can get vaccinated?
State guidelines outline who is eligible to receive the vaccine in each state. In Florida, individuals 5 years of age or older may receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Minors 5 – 17 years of age may receive the Pfizer vaccine but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the vaccination site and submit a parental consent form.
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
There are a number of locations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine including State-run vaccination sites, Miami-Dade County vaccination sites and the Federal Pharmacy Program. Appointments are no longer required at Miami-Dade County drive-through vaccination sites. Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie all offer appointments through the Federal Pharmacy Program. Continue to check for updates on Miami-Dade County’s webpage and this webpage.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes. Over 245 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 14, 2020, through May 3, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). Learn more about EUAs in this videoexternal icon.
Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, since they were authorized for emergency use by FDA. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe for Children?
Vaccines are now widely available for everyone 5 years and older. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Getting your child or teen vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss. Children 5 – 17 years of age are eligible to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
I heard the COVID-19 vaccine is mRNA. What is a mRNA vaccine?
Messenger RNA vaccines – also called mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. MRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein – or even just a piece of a protein – that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19. MRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Learn more about mRNA vaccines at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html.
How does the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines compare to other vaccines?
The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines’ efficacy is among the best we have available compared to routinely recommended vaccines. For example, compare the efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to other routinely recommended vaccines:
- Pfizer novel coronavirus vaccine (2 doses): 95%
- Moderna novel coronavirus vaccine (2 doses): 94.1%
- Johnson & Johnson novel coronavirus vaccine (1 dose): 66%
- Influenza vaccine (1 dose): ~44%
- Chickenpox/Varicella vaccine (2 doses): 90%
- Measles (MMR-2 doses): 97%
What is the efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine if I only receive one dose of a two-dose series?
There is very limited data on the efficacy of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines when only one dose is given. Pfizer has indicated that the efficacy of their COVID-19 vaccine after one dose is at least 52%. Moderna has noted 80.2% efficacy after one dose. For best protection, it is recommended that individuals receive two doses.
If the COVID-19 vaccine I receive requires two doses, do I need to get the same vaccine to complete my vaccination series?
Yes. If you receive a vaccine product that requires two doses, the second dose must be the same brand/manufacturer as the first dose.
Ideally, individuals would also receive both doses from the same facility.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Common side effects from vaccination include pain, swelling or redness where the shot was given, a mild fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint aches. These side effects were also noted in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. For vaccines that require two doses, side effects are more common after the second dose for both Pfizer and Moderna.
Can I take pain medicine (e.g. acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) to manage the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination?
The CDC has stated that patients can take pain medication (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or acetaminophen) after their vaccination if they feel side effects (e.g. pain, headache, or fever that cannot be tolerated).
There has been debate on whether or not taking pain medication prior to vaccination may dampen an individual’s immune response to the vaccine. Until we know more, it is not recommended for individuals to take pain medication in anticipation of potential side effects prior to their vaccine. If you have to take pain medication to alleviate side effects, it is advised for you to take it after you have been vaccinated.
Should I get the vaccine if I am pregnant?
Getting vaccinated is a personal choice. Any of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines can be offered to people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, a conversation with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required.
Although the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared to non-pregnant people. Severe illness includes illness that results in intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, or death. Additionally, pregnant people with COVID-19 might be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, compared with pregnant women without COVID-19.
Based on how these vaccines work in the body, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a specific risk for people who are pregnant. However, there are currently limited data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people
- Clinical trials that look at the safety and how well the COVID-19 vaccines work in pregnant people are underway or planned. Vaccine manufacturers are also monitoring data from people in the clinical trials who received vaccine and became pregnant.
- Studies in animals receiving a Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy found no safety concerns.
For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
Is there anyone who should not be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccine should not be given to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) or immediate allergic reaction to a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine or any component of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Should people who currently have COVID-19 be vaccinated?
Vaccination should be postponed until the person has recovered and criteria have been met to end isolation.
There is not a minimum interval between infection and vaccination. However, current evidence suggests reinfection is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection, and thus, persons with documented acute infection in the preceding 90 days may defer vaccination until the end of the period, if desired.
Since supplies of COVID-19 vaccine are limited, healthcare providers may choose to prioritize those who previously had COVID-19 at a lower priority.
If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID19 and the fact that re-infection is possible, the vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. At this time experts do not know how longer someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19 the immunity someone gains from having an infection (natural immunity) varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.
How long will immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine last?
At this time, we do not know how long immunity following vaccination will last. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson noted that there does not appear to be evidence of waning protection during the follow-up time of approximately 2 months following the completion of series (1 dose for Johnson & Johnson and 2 doses for Moderna and Pfizer) of the vaccine.
What we do know is that COVID-19 vaccines will be continuously monitored to determine duration of immunity after vaccination. Immunity following vaccination will depend on which types of vaccines are licensed or authorized and what part of the immune system responds to the vaccine.
Are booster doses needed?
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 and older should get a Booster shot. For more information visit cdc.gov.
To find a vaccination site near you, please visit www.miamidade.gov/vaccine.
If I received the COVID-19 vaccine, do I need to continue wearing a mask and social distancing?
Yes. It’s important for everyone to continue to cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. It is unknown whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes. COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. Together, the COVID-19 vaccination and following the CDC’s recommendations will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.
Can the vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?
No. the COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.
Can vaccinated individuals asymptomatically transmit COVID-19?
The currently available COVID-19 vaccines are around 66-95% efficacious at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Yet, we do not yet have evidence whether getting vaccinated prevents asymptomatic infection and transmission.
Johnson & Johnson clinical trial data suggests their vaccine may be 74% effective against asymptomatic COVID-19 following day 29 after vaccination, but more data is needed to make any conclusions regarding these findings. Studies are expected in the coming months that better answer this question. It is important to note that even if the vaccine does not prevent asymptomatic COVID and only prevents symptomatic COVID, it is still extremely valuable.
I have heard someone tested positive for COVID-19 after they were fully vaccinated, is this possible?
Yes, it is possible. Here are a few reasons why:
- No vaccine is 100% effective. While the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, the protection is not perfect. A small percentage of people are not protected after vaccination and for others the protection may wane over time.
- The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19 disease. The clinical trials only looked at whether the vaccine prevents disease, not infection, so a vaccinated person could still become infected and/or potentially spread the virus to others. Currently available COVID-19 vaccines are highly efficacious at preventing severe disease. But, we are still learning how well these vaccines prevent asymptomatic disease and transmission.
- Current vaccines may not be as effective against new strains of the virus. With the virus still widely circulating globally, we have seen a rise of variants in places such as the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil. We have even seen the presence of these variant strains in the U.S. (including in North Dakota), and while the vaccines appear to still provide protection, it may not be as effective at preventing infection from these variant strains.
- Vaccines don’t provide immediate protection. It takes a few days to a few weeks for vaccines to provide protection. Our body needs time to build an immune response to the vaccine. If someone is exposed to the virus during this time, it is possible they still may become sick from the virus.
- The test may be a false positive. False-positive test results can occur. It may be that the test detected antibodies to a coronavirus closely related to the COVID-19 virus or that the test quality was flawed.
I have heard there are new strains of the coronavirus circulating worldwide. Will the COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against them?
It is unknown whether the new virus strains (caused by mutations) will affect the efficacy of vaccines in the long run. While COVID-19 variants have been detected and confirmed in the United States, both Pfizer and Moderna have reported that their vaccines produce immune responses that recognize and neutralize variant strains, although there was a reduction in antibodies that neutralize some variants. We also know that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 64% efficacious against moderate to severe disease and 81.7% efficacious against severe disease 28 days following vaccination in clinical trials in South Africa with 94.5% of the cases identified as the B.1.251 variant. In Brazil, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was found to be 68.1% efficacious against moderate to severe disease and 87.6% against severe disease 28 days following vaccination with 69.4% of cases identified as the P.2 variant.
It is possible a variant of the virus may someday make current vaccines ineffective. The manufacturers anticipated potential mutation of the virus, as this is common in coronaviruses. Because of this knowledge, vaccines have been designed to target the entire spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccinated individuals produce antibodies that recognize many different parts of the spike protein, so even if one portion of the protein changes or mutates, there will be antibodies to other parts of the protein, which makes it harder for the virus to completely evade our immune systems.
If I refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, will there be a penalty?
There will be no penalty for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, vaccinating is the only way to end the pandemic and begin the process of returning to normal life. It is important to note that some employers may decide to not cover pay from quarantine and/or isolation required from COVID-19 exposure if you refuse to vaccinate. Further, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines preliminary data indicate an efficacy around 95%, which places them among the best vaccines we have available compared to all recommended vaccines. Additionally Johnson & Johnson clinical trail data indicated their vaccine is 85% effective at preventing severe disease and 100% effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19 28 days following vaccination.
It is also important to consider the true risk of choosing not to vaccinate. By not vaccinating, you put yourself and those around you at risk of getting sick from COVID-19. This virus can have serious, life threatening complications and there is no way to know how the virus will affect you. COVID-19 vaccines are being carefully evaluated and will be authorized only if they are found to be safe and make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and prevent spared of the disease to your friends, loved ones, and those in your community is to vaccinate against COVID-19.
For more information on the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, please see the CDC website.
How can I avoid COVID-19 scams?
Online scammers are taking advantage of this health emergency by luring victims with false claims that they can deliver COVID-19 vaccination within days for a fee. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a fraud alert on December 3 aimed at Americans eager to get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying: “You will not be asked for money to enhance your ranking for vaccine eligibility.” Because doses of vaccine were purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars, it will be provided to patients at no costs. Providers may charge an administration fee and have the fee reimbursed by private and public insurance companies. It is important to turn to trusted sources when looking for guidance on COVID-19 vaccine, this includes your local public health department, pharmacy, and/or healthcare provider.
The FBI has warned the public to be extremely wary of the following potentially fraudulent activities:
- Advertisements/offers for early access to a vaccine with payment.
- Requests asking an individual to pay out of pocket to obtain a vaccine or to put their name on a COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
- Offers for additional medical testing when obtaining a vaccine.
- People offering to sell/ship doses of a vaccine in exchange for a fee.
- Unsolicited emails, phone calls, and/or text messages from someone claiming to be from a medical office, insurance company or COVID-19 vaccine center to determine eligibility that you are unfamiliar with.
- Advertisements for vaccines through online and social media platforms.
HHS Protect Yourself Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Handout.
City of Sunny Isles Beach Official Website
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