All adults are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at reducing symptomatic infection, severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone, no insurance is required.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen are approved for ages 18 and up and currently available at the Macon County Health Department
Call to schedule an appointment for your vaccine at 660-395-4711
Pfizer Vaccine was given full FDA approval for ages 16 and up. It is also currently approved for ages 12 and 15 under the EUA. Residents can receive the Pfizer vaccine at the Macon County Health Department or Samaritan Hospital – appointments can be made by calling 660-385-8745.
Pfizer Vaccine was approved for a booster dose at least 6 months after the initial dose for those who are over the age of 65, have chronic health conditions or are between 18-65 and have an increased risk of exposure due to occupational or lifestyle exposure.
Moderna Vaccine can be given as a third dose at least 28 days after the second dose for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, view the list of qualifying conditions here. Moderna booster has not been approved for the general public.
COVID-19 Vaccination in Macon County
Updated 10/20/2021. Data from MO DHSS COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
- Initial Doses Given: 5,764
- Series Complete: 5,421
- Population Initiating Vaccinations: 38.1%
- Population Completed Vaccination: 35.9%
- State of Missouri Residents Initiating Vaccine: 54.7%
- State of Missouri Residents completing vaccine series: 48.8%
EUA for Moderna Vaccine EUA for Pfizer Vaccine EUA for Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine
Missouri DHSS Notice of Privacy Practices
Seniors age 60 and over and other homebound adults, may qualify for assistance through Area Agency on Aging (AAA) with vaccine registration, transportation and more. Please contact your local AAA for assistance on services at 660-665-8314.
If you need assistance with transportation to a vaccine appointment, check DHSS website which lists resources for scheduling rides throughout the state. Macon County is located in Region B.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many doses will I have to get of the vaccine? The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart and Moderna vaccine requires two doses 28 days apart. The Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine requires one dose.
- Should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19? Yes. As long as you are no longer in isolation and symptomatic from a COVID-19 infection and as long as you had not had passive antibody therapy within the last 90 days as a treatment for COVID-19.
- How much will the vaccine cost? There will be no out of pocket cost for the vaccine. Insurance can be billed for an administrative cost of the vaccine, but no insurance is required and there will be no fee for anyone.
- When will the vaccine be available? It’s available! Call to schedule an appointment today!
- Will vaccines be given at the Health Department? Yes. We have vaccine clinics that are by appointment only at this time. Call to schedule an appointment.
- Is the vaccine safe? Yes it is safe. It has gone through three phases of clinical trials and has been approved by the FDA as safe. Immunizations are continually monitored for safety as they are in use.
- Is the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine safe? This vaccine was paused with an abundance of caution but has been reinstated as of April 23. Six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals occurred after receiving the J&J vaccine. These adverse events are extremely rare. Nearly 7 million people in the United States had received Johnson & Johnson shots prior to the pause. Cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
- Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine? No you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. There are no live parts of virus in the vaccine.
- Will I be protected from COVID-19 right after receiving the vaccine? You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your final dose. It takes the body time to build antibodies from a vaccine, so it could take time for your body to build an immune response. It is important to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing and practice good hand hygiene after vaccination while others build immunity and your body takes time to build an immune response.
- Are there side effects to the vaccine? The vaccines may cause side effects in some people, like sore muscles, feeling tired, or mild fever. These reactions mean the vaccine is working to help teach your body how to fight COVID-19 if you are exposed. For most people, these side effects will last no longer than a day or two. Having these types of side effects does NOT mean that you have COVID-19. If you have questions about your health after your shot, call your doctor, nurse, or clinic. As with any medicine, it is rare but possible to have a serious reaction, such as not being able to breathe. It is very unlikely that this will happen, but if it does, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
- If most people recover, why do I need the vaccine? COVID-19 is a deadly disease that causes severe illness – and in some cases, long term symptoms that we have yet to fully understand. The COVID-19 vaccines have been created to decrease death and severe illness. Although a high percentage of people recover from COVID-19, some are hospitalized and experience severe illness. The vaccine can help you from spreading the virus to others, including when you have the virus but no symptoms. When you make the choice to be vaccinated, you are protecting not only you but also those around you from the chance of death and severe illness caused by COVID-19.
- Can I receive the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? Yes, it is safe for women who are pregnant and women who are breastfeeding to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Once I’m vaccinated, what are the benefits?
- Being fully vaccinated (2 weeks after your final dose) means that you are less likely to transmit COVID-19 to others so it helps the health of our community, you are less likely to have a severe infection or be hospitalized from COVID-19 so it helps your health.
- Once you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine as long as you are not showing symptoms, if you come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
- Once you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing more safe activities, such as
- Being indoors with other fully vaccinated individuals without mask and without having to maintain a 6 feet distance
- Be indoors with others who are unvaccinated and are low risk, but it is still recommended to social distance
- If you travel within the United States, you do not have to self-quarantine after travel or get tested before travel
- If you travel outside the United States, check with the county of travel on policies
- Once I’m vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask? Yes it is recommended to continue to wear a mask indoors with others and in situations you cannot maintain social distancing. This helps protect yourself and others during the pandemic.
