The number of Covid-19 cases in Arkansas is going up very fast and the Delta variant is putting younger and healthier people in the hospital. This is a dangerous virus and it can cause serious health problems and even death.
The vaccine helps prevent you from getting Covid-19. Some people who are vaccinated do still get the virus, but they are much less likely to have serious complications or to be hospitalized. Almost all the people hospitalized in Arkansas right now with Covid-19 are unvaccinated.
There is a free, easy, and safe way to protect yourself from Covid-19. Right now, anyone who is 12 or older can get a Covid-19 vaccine at no cost to themselves.
Arkansas Medicaid covers the cost of the vaccine for Medicaid clients. You will be asked for your Medicaid card, but you will not be required to pay anything for the vaccine. Medicaid patients can also get FREE transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year.
Getting vaccinated is the best option to protect yourself from the virus.
Call Healthy Connections at 888-710-8220 to schedule your vaccination appointment.
If you need a ride to get vaccinated, Arkansas Medicaid provides clients non-emergency transportation by calling 888-987-1200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get vaccinated?
Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are offering the Covid-19 vaccine. Visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find a clinic near you. Or call 888-710-8220.
How can Medicaid patients get free transportation?
You can get FREE transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year.
Why should I get the Covid-19 vaccine?
Rigorous studies have found the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and effective. Getting the vaccine will keep you healthy, and it represents the best option for returning to normal.
What are the side effects of Covid-19 vaccines?
Your arm may be sore, red or warm to touch after COVID-19 vaccine as with any vaccine. Fever, headache (a sign that your immune system is building up protection to COVID-19 disease), and muscle aches are common side effects of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
What about long-term side effects?
FDA and CDC are continuing to monitor for safety, to make sure even long-term side effects are identified. If a safety issue is detected, immediate action will take place to determine if the issue is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the best course of action.
Do I need a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and if so, when?
Yes. Healthy Connections is offering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The second dose is due no sooner than 28 days.
Who is recommended to receive a third dose?
CDC now recommends an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) for people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
If I have had 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine and have close contact with a positive case, do I need to quarantine?
suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
• Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Fully vaccinated persons who do not quarantine should still watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. If they experience symptoms, they should be clinically evaluated for COVID-19.
Also, vaccinated persons should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, following CDC travel guidance, and following any applicable workplace or school guidance, including guidance related to personal protective equipment use or SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine if I am pregnant?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) continue to recommend that the vaccine be available to pregnant individuals. There is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely.
Can I get the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time with flu vaccine or any other vaccine?
Yes, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines may be administered with routine vaccines simultaneously, on the same day, or at any interval.
Can the Covid-19 vaccine give someone with Covid-19 disease?
No, COVID-19 vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19 disease. They do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19.