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COVID-19 Vaccinations - What You Need To Know

Taking the vaccine protects you, your community, and our nation.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before being authorized for use in the United States.

Early COVID-19 vaccines will be given in a two-dose series separated by 21 or 28 days, depending on the manufacturer. Vaccines from different manufacturers are NOT interchangeable. Individuals must receive the same vaccine in the series.

Each recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine will receive the FDA vaccine-specific Fact Sheet for Recipients which provides the following information:

o Basic information on COVID-19, symptoms, and what to discuss with a health care provider before vaccination

o Who should and should not receive the vaccine

o That recipients have the choice to receive the vaccine

o Dosage and vaccine series information

o Risks and benefits of the vaccine

o An explanation of what an EUA is and why it is issued

o Any approved available alternatives for preventing COVID-19

o Additional resources

Army personnel should continue to follow basic public health guidance even after receiving the vaccine – wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands and avoid large gatherings.

Army personnel are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider to learn more details and with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and when the vaccine will become availa

Local Announcements

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 Vaccine

Q. What if you go beyond 42 days, is it still advisable to get the second dose?
A. You should always get your required second dose as soon as possible with the established parameters since there are currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA vaccines administered beyond the stated windows.
Q. With all of the COVID-19 variants now circulating, do you need a booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines?
A. No doses beyond the 2-dose primary series are recommended at this time.
Q. Can I get other vaccines with or near the time I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
A. COVID-19 vaccine series should be administered alone, with a minimum 14-days before or after administration with other vaccines. The exception would be situations where the benefits of vaccination are deemed to outweigh the potential unknown risks of vaccination co-administration.
Q: I have received my first dose of Pfizer but I am moving overseas and they only have Moderna. Can I get Moderna as my second dose?
A. mRNA COVID vaccines are not interchangeable with each other. Therefore, you should take all necessary planning sets to ensure you are at a location that has the same vaccine product as your first dose. However, CDC has stated that in truly exceptional circumstances a situation in which the 1st dose vaccine produce cannot be determined or is no longer available, any available mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at a minimum internal of 28 days between doses to complete the mRNA vaccine series.
Q. I have already had COVID-19, should I get the vaccine?
A. If you had COVID-19, but recovered, you can get the vaccines. If you are currently symptomatic, you must wait until you are well. Current evidence suggests risk of reinfection is low in the months following infection. Therefore, while vaccine supply remains limited, persons with recent infection may choose to temporarily delay vaccination, if desired, recognizing that the risk of reinfection, and need for vaccination, may increase with time following initial infection.
Q. I just received an antibody treatment for COVID-19, when can I get the vaccine?
A. If you have received convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies you should defer vaccine for 90 days.
Q. I have allergies but not related to getting vaccines, should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
A. CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications - such as food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex allergies - get vaccinated. People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated.

COVID-19 Testing

Q. Can I just show up at any testing site to be tested for COVID-19
A. No. You should not just show up at a hospital and request testing. Testing is authorized based on the clinical judgment of a provider, exposure, travel history and symptoms. You must have an in-person or virtual telephone/video visit with a provider who will arrange testing in a military treatment facility (if MTF-enrolled) or in the private sector (if enrolled to the network provider with TRICARE Prime or if you’re using TRICARE Select or TRICARE For Life). If network, the cost of the test is covered in the cost of the visit itself.
Q. How is testing prioritized?
A. Your health care provider will make that decision based on your exposure risk, symptoms, and guidance from the CDC. There is a screening process to determine who should get tested.
Q. Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
A. You can get tested at a local military treatment facility if it has the ability to test for COVID-19. If it doesn’t, the MTF will send the sample to an outside laboratory. Stay informed: www.tricare.mil/coronavirus
Q. What does the test entail?
A. A simple nasal swab is all that is needed to test for COVID-19.
Q. How long does it take to get results?
A. The time it takes to get results varies depending on where the test is performed. We’re working to expedite the testing process and more testing sites at military treatment facilities are coming online daily.
Q. What’s the difference between testing and screening for COVID-19? Who gets what?
A. The screening process begins when you contact your provider or the MHS Nurse Advice Line to discuss your symptoms and it will begin with a series of questions. The nurse or staff member decides whether your symptoms may be due to COVID-19 or another illness requiring treatment. You might get advice on self-care since symptoms often can be treated at home. The nurse/staff member may arrange a telephone visit between you and a health care provider or tell you to call your provider directly. The provider can talk with you about possible exposure, your symptoms, and discusses treatment. The provider may give you self-care advice to use at home. Or, he or she may tell you to go to your primary care clinic or emergency to be tested. It’s important to call first so we can protect you, other patients, and medical staff from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.
Q. How much does the test cost?
A. Testing is provided free of charge at military treatment facilities. If you have a civilian provider, TRICARE will cover the costs of the test if your provider determines it's medically appropriate and the request meets the screening criteria. At this time, we cannot waive copayments for the office visit due to the law. You will be responsible to pay the applicable copay or cost share based on your TRICARE plan if you visit a TRICARE-authorized, network or non-network provider.

TRICARE Benefit

Q. What, if any, copayments will be waived related to COVID-19 treatment and testing? How does this apply to active duty, reserve component, and retirees?
A. While the testing is free, beneficiaries are responsible to pay applicable copayments for doctor’s visits with network and non-network providers. At this time, we cannot waive copayments for the office visit due to statutory regulation, which has legislation pending.
Q. Are retirees using TRICARE For Life and Medicare covered for COVID-19 testing and treatment?
A. Yes. Follow your plan’s rules for getting care.
Q. What is happening with other appointments and elective procedures at military treatment facilities?
A. MTFs are currently reviewing all scheduled, non-urgent face-to-face appointments, cancelling those appointments and converting them to virtual telephone visits. Our MTF staff are taking these measures to limit unnecessary exposure for you, other patients and our own medical staff. If you receive notice that your appointment has been cancelled, please remember that your clinic should be trying to reach you. Please ensure you are able to answer any of the telephone numbers we have on file. If you are not contacted within a day of your previously scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic or send your team a secure message.

Quarantine

Q. What is quarantine? And why is 14 days recommended for COVID-19?
A. Quarantine, in general, means the separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic, from others who have not been so exposed, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease. It is recommended by the CDC to quarantine for 14 days because symptoms usually emerge 2-14 days after exposure.
Q. Where can I go if I am placed in/on quarantine? Is it OK to go to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, or the mall?
A. No. You need to stay at home and not go anywhere.
Q. If one person in my family is placed in/on quarantine, does that mean everyone else in the house is in/on quarantine? If not, how do we protect our nonquarantined family members?
A. Yes. All family members should quarantine if one family member is quarantined. Please contact your health care provider if you have questions.
Q. How is quarantine different than isolation?
A. Isolation is used to separate people who have already been infected with a communicable disease from those who are healthy. Isolation restricts the movement of ill persons to help stop the spread of certain diseases. For example, hospitals use isolation for patients with infectious tuberculosis. Quarantine is used to separate and restrict the movement of people who aren’t sick who may have been exposed to a communicable disease to see if they become ill. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms. Quarantine can also help limit the spread of communicable disease.
Q. If you live with someone who may have been exposed, what should you do?
A. Contact your local military clinic or hospital, your local health department, or the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273, Option 1 or online: https://mhsnurseadviceline.com
Q. What will screening measures (as mentioned in the Force Health Protection Supplement #4) entail?
A. We are instituting risk assessments and if necessary, medical evaluations, for all personnel prior to departure on any military aircraft. Additionally, we are putting preventive monitoring measures in place for those who have recently traveled. Specifically, for those who recently traveled to, though, or from a CDC Travel Health Advisory Level 2 or Level 3 country, we are directing that they stay at home at 14 days, practice social distancing, and self-monitor for potential symptoms of COVID-19 including taking their temperature twice a day. For all other returning travelers, including those traveling within the United States, we are telling them to practice social distancing and be mindful in their daily self-observation for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. For all, we are telling them that if they feel sick, they should immediately self-isolate, notify their leadership, and call the appropriate medical authorities for assistance.
Q. Will the screening measures only be for those landing in Level 2 or 3 locations?
A. No, this policy applies to all personnel who travel or have recently traveled. However, the actions we expect our leaders and people to take are dependent upon their travel routes and locations. At this time, all countries other than the United States are either Level 2 or Level 3, which requires screening whether it was for travel to, from, or through.

MTF Management

Q. Where are they putting people in hospitals who test positive for COVID-19?
A. All medical facilities have infectious disease protocols in place, not just for COVID-19 but for any infectious disease. Patients who test positive are isolated from the general population in designated isolation rooms.

Medical Care

Q. Should I make an appointment to get my physical?
A. It is recommended that you call your doctor to see what they recommend for routine visits. MTFs are currently reviewing all scheduled, non-urgent face-to-face appointments, cancelling those appointments and converting them to virtual telephone visits. Our MTF staff are taking these measures to limit unnecessary exposure for you, other patients and our own medical staff. If you receive notice that your appointment has been cancelled, please remember that your clinic should be trying to reach you. Please ensure you are able to answer any of the telephone numbers we have on file. If you are not contacted within a day of your previously scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic or send your team a secure message.
Q. After exposure and recovery, can you get COVID-19 again?
A. At this time it’s too soon to know as we are still learning about the virus.
Q. Should we call 911 if we get sick?
A. If you have a true medical emergency, call 911. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

♦ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
♦ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
♦ New confusion or inability to arouse
♦ Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Q. I have asthma, do I need to immediately go to the doctor if I get sick, show symptoms?
A. If you have asthma, or other underlying conditions, the COVID-19 can cause inflammation. If you feel you’re experiencing symptoms, contact your provider to be evaluated.

Contact Us

Appointment Line:

(888) 683-2778

If you experiencing an emergency, call 911

Location:

Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic
Building 683
Waianae Ave
Schofield Barracks, HI 96786

Frequently Called Numbers

Emergency Room (Tripler)

(808) 433-3710

Urgent Care (Schofield Barracks)

(808) 433-8850

Ambulance

(808) 433-5700

Hearing Impaired Line

(808) 433-5767

Customer Relations

(808) 433-8504

DDHC Executive Assistant

(808) 433-8500

Handouts

QR Code for: COVID-19 Vaccination - Pre Testing Questionnaire

Choose to Get Vaccinated

Leisure Travel Guidance

My Mil Life Guide - Text Based Wellness Program

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients

V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker

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