TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR VACCINE APPOINTMENTS

Transportation to vaccine appointments at Montgomery County Office of Public Health clinics is available at no cost to the rider, calling ahead is encouraged.

• Transnet: (215) 542-7433
• SEPTA/CCT: (215) 580-7145
• GoGo Grandparent: 1 (855) 464-6872 or visit https://gogograndparent.com/montco

HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF MY APPOINTMENT IS CANCELED/RESCHEDULED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER?

If an appointment is canceled, you will receive an email stating the appointment was canceled and you’ll be able to click the link in the email to re-schedule.

DOES A PARENT/GUARDIAN NEED TO BE PRESENT WITH THEIR 12 TO 17-YEAR-OLD AT THE VACCINE CLINIC?

All minors (under age 18) that are to be vaccinated MUST be physically accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

An acceptable substitute is an adult relative age 21 or older, who has been authorized by the child's parent to seek medical treatment for the minor.  This may include grandparent, aunt/uncle, or sibling provided they are at least 21 years old. The authorized relative must present a signed copy of the Treatment of a Minor form. If the authorized relative does not have a signed form, the parent may be contacted by phone to give a verbal consent for delegation of care to that individual, and the form should be completed with the parent signature line indicating “verbal consent” and the name of the person witnessing consent.

I RECEIVED MY FIRST DOSE, WHEN WILL I RECEIVE AN EMAIL TO SCHEDULE MY SECOND DOSE?

You will receive an email regarding your second dose 24-48 hours after you received your first dose.

I NEVER RECEIVED AN EMAIL ABOUT MY SECOND DOSE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you received a first dose appointment with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, you are automatically eligible to receive a second dose. If you didn't get an email for your second dose, please check your junk/spam folder. If the second dose appointment email is not in your junk/spam folder:

You will need to make an appointment prior to arriving at one of our county sites. If you do not receive an email within 48 hours of your first dose, please reach out to our COVID-19 hotline: (833) 875-3967. A representative will take your information and deliver it to our Office of Public Health (OPH). A member of our OPH team will reach out to you directly with your appointment details.  

HOW CAN I RESCHEDULE THE SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENT?

There is an option to reschedule in your appointment confirmation email. 

IF I RECEIVED MY FIRST DOSE SOMEWHERE ELSE, CAN I SCHEDULE MY SECOND DOSE AT A MONTGOMERY COUNTY CLINIC?

Yes, please go to https://vaccine.montcopa.org/ and click “start registration” to register for an appointment. When prompted, click “yes” to indicate you have received your first dose and it will take you through the regular questions to schedule a second dose appointment.

WHAT EMAIL ADDRESS DOES THE CONFIRMATION COME FROM?

All emails will come from noreply@montcopa.org.

HOW DO I CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT?

Appointments can be canceled using the link located in your confirmation email.

I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT BUT NEED TO CANCEL. WILL I RECEIVE ANOTHER LINK TO RESCHEDULE?

You can reschedule your appointment using the link in your appointment confirmation email.

HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO GO ONCE I RECEIVE CONFIRMATION OF MY APPOINTMENT?

You will receive a confirmation email with a link that provides information on the building, entrance, and parking.

When you schedule your appointment, you can choose from available clinic locations. Please take note of the addresses and the map on this page for each location.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE I AM ON THE LIST TO GET VACCINATED.

We are unable to inform you of your place on the list and when you should expect an appointment email. After you register it could take multiple weeks to receive an appointment link and that is dependent on vaccine supply.

IF MY GROUP/PRACTICE REGISTERS STAFF, DOES THE GROUP/PRACTICE MAKE ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS OR DOES EACH STAFF MAKE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT?

Each staff person must register in the system and make their own appointment.

DO I NEED A DOCTOR’S NOTE FOR MY HEALTH CONDITION?

You do not need a doctor’s note. However, if you are stating that you qualify for Phase 1A because of your health condition, you will need to sign a legal attestation once you get to the clinic stating that you qualify.

IF I’M FEELING SICK, SHOULD I CANCEL MY VACCINE APPOINTMENT?

Yes. Anyone who has symptoms of an acute illness of any type should NOT come to a vaccination site.

Is the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine safe?

Yes. The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine, after a temporary pause. A review of all available data at this time shows that the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks. However, women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the rare but increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), Nearly all reports of this serious condition, which involves blood clots with low platelets, have been in adult women younger than 50 years old who had received the J&J/Janssen vaccine. There are other COVID-19 vaccine options available where this risk has not been seen in women.

CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines. Seek medical care right away if you develop any of the symptoms listed here after receiving the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. If you have any questions or concerns, call your doctor, nurse, or clinic.

For more info on the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the following sites: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Vaccine Page (Information for the Public and Healthcare Professionals)
• The Vaccine Education Center: Questions and Answers about COVID-19 Vaccines
• Vaccinate Your Family and Other Medical/Public Health Experts: COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccines  

What Vaccines Are Approved for Use for 12 to 17-Year-Olds?

Only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in children aged 12 to 17. When registering for your appointment, please select a clinic that is administering the Pfizer vaccine. All minors (under age 18) that are to be vaccinated MUST be physically accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

An acceptable substitute is an adult relative age 21 or older, who has been authorized by the child's parent to seek medical treatment for the minor.  This may include grandparent, aunt/uncle, or sibling provided they are at least 21 years old. The authorized relative must present a signed copy of the Treatment of a Minor form. If the authorized relative does not have a signed form, the parent may be contacted by phone to give a verbal consent for delegation of care to that individual, and the form should be completed with the parent signature line indicating “verbal consent” and the name of the person witnessing consent.

How can I get a copy of my COVID-19 vaccination record?

Residents can get a copy of their vaccination record (but not a replacement card) by completing our Release of Records form and sending it to RA-DHPASIIS@pa.gov along with a clear copy of their Driver’s License or Photo ID. PA SIIS staff will review these items and then release vaccine records via email.

For more information, please contact PA SIIS:

Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Registry

Department of Health | Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries

555 Walnut Street, 6^th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17101

Toll Free: 877.774.4748 Fax: 717.772.3258

http://www.doh.pa.gov/PASIIS

Does asking for vaccination status violate HIPPA law?

 It is not a violation of HIPPA for entities to ask for proof of vaccination, but everyone has the right to refuse to disclose this information. Check with your legal counsel in order to decide if requiring vaccination proof or asking about vaccination history would be prudent for your organization.

Can I get vaccinated if I currently have COVID-19?

No. Anyone who is in the active stage of an acute COVID infection or who has been in close contact with a person who has had a COVID positive test result should remain in self-isolation or quarantine and NOT come to a vaccination site.

If I had COVID-19, should I get the vaccine?

Yes. 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 already had COVID-19 infection. If you have recovered from a COVID infection, you can choose to wait up to 90 days (about 3 months) for a vaccination, as your antibody level will likely protect you from infection for at least that long. Or, you can choose to be vaccinated within that 90-day period. You may have a response to the vaccine-like those who have not had a COVID infection.

Are COVID-19 vaccines recommended during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is not a contraindication for either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. However, there is very limited information available on the use of either vaccine during pregnancy. Based on current knowledge, experts believe that mRNA vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to the expectant mother or the fetus. CDC recommends if pregnant people are part of a group that is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, they may choose to be vaccinated. For more information, please review CDC guidance.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Common side effects on the arm where you got the shot include:

• Pain
• Swelling

Throughout the rest of your body:

• Fever
• Chills
• Tiredness
• Headache

When should I get the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine?

Moderna first doses will be administered exactly 28 days after the first dose. Pfizer second doses will be administered exactly 21 days after the first dose. Please plan for this when you schedule your first appointment. You will be provided with the date to return for your second dose by the nurse administering your first dose. If you are unable to return on that date you will be asked to defer your first dose. You will receive an e-mail with instructions on how you will register and make your second dose appointment a week prior to the 28th or 21st day after you received your first dose. It is possible that you will have a choice of clinics for your second dose.  

I’m fully vaccinated (2 doses of A two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 1 Dose of a one-dose covid-19 vaccine). do I need to quarantine after traveling within the United States?

No. Please click here for current travel guidelines for Pennsylvania. 

I'm fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine and traveling internationally. Do I need to quarantine after arriving back in the United States?

No. Please click here for current international travel guidelines. 

WHERE IS COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABLE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY?

COVID-19 Vaccine Providers (vaccines.gov)

How do I enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider?

To receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine, providers must be credentialed/licensed in Pennsylvania; sign and agree to the conditions in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement, and fully complete the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Profile form for each location where COVID-19 vaccine will be administered.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website for more information or if you have questions, you may email or call 717-787-5681.

Where do I send the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement form once it is completed?

Click here to email provider agreement forms.