COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccines are free of charge to Alignment Health Plan members, including when two doses are required, from any provider enrolled in the federal vaccine distribution program, including  mass vaccination sites, mobile vaccine clinics, retail pharmacies, hospitals, some doctors’ offices, and federally qualified health centers. There is no copay – the COVID-19 vaccine is covered 100 percent by Alignment.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at local pharmacies, large hospital systems, mass vaccination sites, mobile vaccine clinics and some primary care physician (PCP) offices. You can also check with your doctor to see if he or she is enrolled in the federal vaccine distribution program.

While the CDC has recommended that eligibility open to those 5 years of age and older, vaccine distribution is still being determined at the state and local level. For more information about vaccine eligibility and distribution in your county, please refer to the resources listed above by state.

President Joe Biden announced rules on July 29 requiring federal employees and on-site contractors to provide proof of full vaccination or submit to regular testing. Individual states and employers are also putting similar requirements into place. Check your state requirements and with your employer to see if they have any rules that apply to you. We also encourage you to consult with your primary doctor to help determine whether the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you.

Appointment availability is based on two things: eligibility that is determined by your local county and the supply of vaccine that your county receives from the state. Most states and some counties have implemented their own notification and scheduling systems. To find out what is being offered in your county, view the details under your state above.

Alignment can also help members find a vaccination site and/or make an appointment. Members can reach their ACCESS On-Demand Concierge team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through their online account or by calling 1-833-AHC-ACCESS (1-833-242-2223), TTY 711.

As the COVID-19 vaccine has become more widely available, counties and pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens have begun to offer the vaccine without an appointment. Though walk-ins are acceptable, an appointment may help decrease wait time. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find a location accepting walk-ins. 

You will need to present an ID and your insurance card prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Alignment Health Plan members can access their digital member ID card through their online member account – members can activate their account online or through the Alignment Health Plan mobile app, available for download in the Apple or Google app stores. All you need is your member ID number and an email address to activate your account.

For booster shots, you will need to present your original COVID-19 vaccination information along with your ID and insurance card.

Alignment Health Plan members who need additional assistance such as transportation to or from a COVID-19 vaccine site, or have any questions, should contact their ACCESS On-Demand Concierge team 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their online member account or by calling 1-833-242-2223, TTY 711.

After receiving your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should receive a vaccination record card or printout that tells you the name of the manufacturer and lot number of the vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it. Keep this card in a safe place with other personal medical records and bring it with you to every vaccination appointment.

In some states, you can obtain a digital version of your vaccination card or immunization record. To find out if your state offers an electronic vaccine record, visit your state’s section on this page.

COVID-19 vaccines have shown effectiveness in protecting against or at least minimizing the severity of illnesses from the coronavirus and more contagious strains such as the Delta and Omicron variants.

It is unknown how long immunity lasts after COVID-19 vaccination, but medical experts are collecting more data on how well the vaccines work in real-world conditions.

Mask-wearing restrictions vary by state. The CDC has updated its masking guidelines by switching to a community level system: low risk, medium risk, and high risk. To learn more about the system and to check your county’s community level, visit the CDC website.

Vaccines save millions of lives each year. When we get vaccinated, we aren’t just protecting ourselves, but also those around us, including our loved ones. Millions of people in the country have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and we know that it is safe and effective. To date, the vaccines are up to 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 with no serious safety concerns noted in the clinical trials. Like all drugs, vaccine safety continues to be monitored after they are in use.

Side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are a normal sign that your body is building protection. Side effects will vary from person to person with the most common being pain and swelling around the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. You should call your doctor if:

• The redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
• Your side effects are worrying and don’t go away after a few days

Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you have already had COVID-19. If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid potential interference of those therapies with the vaccine’s efficacy. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

It depends. The CDC recommends that:

• If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get that specific vaccine.
• If you have a severe allergic reaction after getting the first shot, you should not get the second shot.
• If you have had an immediate allergic reaction – even if it was not severe – to any ingredient in the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either and talk to your provider to see if the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be a better alternative for you.
• If you had an immediate allergic reaction after getting the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you should not get the second dose.  
• People who are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines or injections, you should ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• People with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injections (e.g., food allergies, pet allergies, etc.) may still get vaccinated. People may get vaccinated even with a:
  • History of allergies to oral medications
  • Family history of severe allergic reactions
  • Milder allergy to vaccines

Yes, according to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines may be administered on the same day, but check with your primary care provider to determine the best schedule for you.