The COVID-19 vaccine is available at Washington Regional primary care clinics and urgent care locations:

• Washington Regional Urgent Care locations in Bentonville, Fayetteville (Crossover), Harrison, Rogers and Springdale offer the Moderna vaccine to individuals age 18+ every Wednesday. Schedule online to reduce wait times, or walk in.
• Most Washington Regional primary care clinics offer the COVID-19 vaccine. The type of vaccine available may vary by location and appointments are required. For vaccines for children younger than 12, please call your county health department or your child's primary care physician.

There is no charge to you for the vaccine. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. If you have insurance, your insurance may be billed an administration fee. But, if your insurance does not pay the balance, you will not be billed.

COVID-19 VACCINE FAQs

Washington Regional physicians have provided answers below to many common questions about the vaccine.

WHAT VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about the types of COVID-19 vaccines available.

I HEARD THESE VACCINES ARE RNA VACCINES. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines. These vaccines use a piece of genetic code from the virus that, when injected, stimulates your body to produce a certain protein that’s found on the coronavirus. Your body then creates antibodies in response to that protein. Those antibodies will attack the virus, should you be exposed to COVID-19. These vaccines do not alter your DNA and do not contain the actual live virus, so they cannot give you COVID-19. Dr. Mark Thomas explains more about how mRNA vaccines work in the video below.



ARE THE VACCINES SAFE?

The FDA takes extensive measures to ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines. While the COVID-19 vaccine is the first time many of us have heard about RNA vaccines, the technology and science used to develop them has been studied for decades. The vaccines have been through phase 3 clinical trials, which test for safety. These trials included thousands of volunteers of different ages, ethnicities and medical backgrounds.


DO THE VACCINES CAUSE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

As with any vaccine, soreness at the injection site, a headache, fever, muscle aches and fatigue are possible. These reactions are normal and a sign your body is beginning to create antibodies. People with a history of allergic reactions to other vaccines, or other health concerns, should speak to their health care provider before taking the vaccine.

Over the counter pain relievers can be taken to ease minor side effects after your vaccine. In the video below, Dr. David Ratcliff explains what to expect after your vaccine.



CAN I STILL GET COVID-19 AFTER I'M VACCINATED?

Current vaccines are not 100% effective, so there is still a chance you could get infected with the virus. However, if you do become infected, your risk or becoming critically ill or dying from COVID-19 is much lower if you have been vaccinated. It is important to also note the vaccine does not contain the virus and will not cause you to test positive for COVID-19.


HOW MANY DOSES OF THE VACCINE DO I NEED AND WHEN SHOULD I GET A BOOSTER?

Click here for information from the CDC on staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses for children and adults.


SHOULD PREGNANT WOMEN OR WOMEN WHO PLAN TO BECOME PREGNANT TAKE THE VACCINE?

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant people. Talk with your health care provider about any concerns you have. You can find answers to more questions about the vaccine, pregnancy and breastfeeding here.


CAN CHILDREN GET THE VACCINE?

Children six months and older are eligible to be vaccinated. The CDC provides answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination for children and teens.


DO I NEED TO QUARANTINE IF I'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID AFTER I'M VACCINATED?

Please visit the CDC web page for guidance on what to do following exposure to COVID-19.


HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO END THE PANDEMIC?

The number of people who need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity varies by community, but experts project 70% - 80% of people will need to be protected from COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity means enough people have protection, either from previous infection or vaccination, that it’s unlikely the virus will continue to spread and cause disease.


WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE?

Individuals age 6 months+ are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.


SHOULD I WAIT TO GET THE VACCINE IF I'VE RECENTLY RECOVERED FROM COVID-19 OR RECEIVED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT?

You can receive the vaccine if you’ve recently had COVID-19. If you currently have COVID-19, wait for your illness to resolve and you are released from isolation before getting vaccinated. While people who have recovered from their infection have some antibodies, it is uncertain how long natural immunity may last.

If you received monoclonal antibody treatment while ill with COVID-19, you do not need to wait to be vaccinated.


I HAD COVID MONTHS AGO AND STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS. CAN I GET THE VACCINE?

So called “long haulers” may experience symptoms for several weeks or months following their illness. However, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The lingering symptoms are believed to be caused by a prolonged inflammatory response to the virus, not an active infection.


CAN I DONATE BLOOD IF I RECEIVED THE VACCINE?

Click here for information about donating blood after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.


I'M NOT AT RISK OF SEVERE COMPLICATIONS FROM COVID-19. DO I NEED THE VACCINE?

While you may not be at risk of developing severe illness, you could still spread COVID-19 to someone who is. Also, the absence of underlying conditions does not guarantee you will not become seriously ill. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.


DO I NEED THE COVID VACCINE IF I GOT A FLU SHOT?

Yes. Influenza and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. The flu shot does not protect against COVID-19.


IS IT OK TO GET OTHER VACCINATIONS, LIKE A FLU SHOT, IF I RECENTLY RECEIVED THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

You no longer need to wait 14 days between the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccinations. You may receive a COVID vaccine and other vaccinations during the same visit to your health care provider’s office.


WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOU THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

If you have further questions, contact your primary care provider about your concerns. You can also find more vaccine information from the CDC here.