Information on COVID-19 Vaccine distribution for Mayo Clinic patients

For Mayo Clinic Patients:
The COVID-19 pandemic has made this a trying year for everyone. But there is good news to report.

An effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is available now, and other COVID-19 vaccines will be coming soon. These vaccines have been tested under strict guidelines. Studies show that the first vaccine available, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and the next vaccine likely to be available, the Moderna vaccine, are 95% and 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19.

Like many, you may have questions about these vaccines. This COVID-19 vaccine educational flyer will answer some of your questions. Be sure to follow Mayo Podcasts for up to the minute news about vaccination, COVID and more.

Mayo Clinic is working with other health care organizations, and state and federal authorities, to prepare for the fair and safe distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. But it will take some time to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

The first people who will be offered vaccination for COVID-19 are those with the highest risk of getting infected: front-line health care workers and adults in long-term care facilities. As more COVID-19 vaccines become available, more people will be offered vaccinations.

We will continue to share with you information about COVID-19 vaccines on our COVID-19 information hub and on Mayo Clinic News Network's COVID page. Mayo Clinic patients can expect emails from their care teams and see updates on Patient Online Services, Mayo's patient portal, about scheduling vaccination appointments at Mayo Clinic.

While COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19, you should continue to follow other prevention protocols already in place:

  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
  • Stay at least 6 feet apart from other people.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.

Mayo Clinic believes that COVID-19 vaccines will be effective in preventing COVID-19. When you are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19, we encourage you to schedule a vaccination appointment. Follow news from your state and local health authorities for further information.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@seaspray

@colleenyoung - LOL, I did contact my oncology team! This is their response:
Mayo Clinic will invite patients in waves based on vaccine availability and patient risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. Patient selection criteria follows the guidelines that have been given by the State of Florida. Mayo Clinic will notify patients when they are eligible to receive the vaccine via the patient portal or regular mail.
I guess having stage iv cancer and recent brain radiation does not qualify me to be in the first wave!

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Oh, my goodness, @seaspray, if you don't qualify, who possibly would??? I am betting though that everyone everywhere is working around the clock to put in place news distribution/notifications of who will be among the first to receive the vaccines in each locale.

There has been such confusion, conflicting information and difficulty in obtaining/disbursing the available vaccines that health pros are probably having nightmares from contradictory information they've received and trying to plan around. I do believe better times are ahead for all of us in the days ahead. In the meantime, I hope you and all of us will keep taking the health precautions we are to keep as safe and well as possible.

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@fiesty76 Thanks for the good vibes! Mayo here in Jacksonville ran out of the vaccine last Wednesday. Today is Monday and they still were unable to give it out. Got a CT scan coming up on Wednesday. Hopefully I will not have to resume treatment. Not sure I could handle chemo and the vaccine at the same time!

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@seaspray

@fiesty76 Thanks for the good vibes! Mayo here in Jacksonville ran out of the vaccine last Wednesday. Today is Monday and they still were unable to give it out. Got a CT scan coming up on Wednesday. Hopefully I will not have to resume treatment. Not sure I could handle chemo and the vaccine at the same time!

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The best of luck to you on getting the vaccine ASAP.

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@seaspray

@fiesty76 Thanks for the good vibes! Mayo here in Jacksonville ran out of the vaccine last Wednesday. Today is Monday and they still were unable to give it out. Got a CT scan coming up on Wednesday. Hopefully I will not have to resume treatment. Not sure I could handle chemo and the vaccine at the same time!

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@seaspray that does sound like a bit much to take on chemo and the vaccine together. Wishing you great CT scan results on Wed. and hope you'll let us know results and that you'll be able to get the vaccine soon! If chemo must be resumed, hope your doc can advise about the timing for both.

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Moderna question? I had my first Covid19 Moderna vaccinne January 7. This week, as of January 18, (11 days after the lst vaccine) I am noticing an ENHANCED sense of smell. I always have really good sense of smell, but it's become particularly sensitive this week. Wondering if it's a coincidence? That's all.

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@jal333

Moderna question? I had my first Covid19 Moderna vaccinne January 7. This week, as of January 18, (11 days after the lst vaccine) I am noticing an ENHANCED sense of smell. I always have really good sense of smell, but it's become particularly sensitive this week. Wondering if it's a coincidence? That's all.

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@jal333- Hello! I think that it's a coincidence. One of the most bothersome side-effects is a loss of smell and taste. If this becomes or is a problem than please speak with your doctor.

Here is something about the vaccine that might interest you.
https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
Do you have any other symptoms?

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@jal333 interesting. I had mine on the 16th. Will make a note. @merpreb, thanks for the fact sheet. Very informative.

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@jal333

Moderna question? I had my first Covid19 Moderna vaccinne January 7. This week, as of January 18, (11 days after the lst vaccine) I am noticing an ENHANCED sense of smell. I always have really good sense of smell, but it's become particularly sensitive this week. Wondering if it's a coincidence? That's all.

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Hello @jal333,

I noticed your post as I just had my first Pfizer vaccine last week. At the time of my vaccination, I received a pamphlet produced by the CDC, It gave information as to how to register so that they could keep in touch with me and I could report any side effects. Did you receive that information as well? This enhanced sense of smell might be something that would interest them. It's always a good idea to report anything different.

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I understand that Mayo Clinic has four different Covid vaccination phases and that the priority are healthcare staff and high risk patients. I’m 68 yrs old, a Mayo patient, caregiver. When will Mayo start to offer Covid vaccine to the rest of patients older than 65. Thank you Vivian N

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@naiviv

I understand that Mayo Clinic has four different Covid vaccination phases and that the priority are healthcare staff and high risk patients. I’m 68 yrs old, a Mayo patient, caregiver. When will Mayo start to offer Covid vaccine to the rest of patients older than 65. Thank you Vivian N

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Mayo patients can find information here: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/. Your Mayo provider will reach out when they have information for you.
Sue

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