COVID-19 Vaccine
Last Updated: April 5, 2021
How to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to develop natural defenses to fight the virus. Getting more than 75% of our community vaccinated is our best chance of stopping the spread of the virus and ending public health policies like social distancing and masking. Get the vaccine to protect yourself, your family, and our community.
For information specific to the vaccines currently in use, visit the FDA website.
COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall Webinar
Idaho COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Ways to access the vaccine when you’re eligible (all in Moscow and surrounding counties are eligible):
The University of Idaho is not distributing vaccines; however, the university supports Gritman Medical Center by hosting vaccine clinics for the community at the Student Recreation Center on the Moscow campus. Information about these clinics and eligibility can be found online at gritman.org/vaccine.
No, COVID-19 vaccination is not required at U of I. However, we strongly encourage the university community to get vaccinated to help stop the pandemic.
Yes. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, anyone living, working, or going to school in Idaho is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho when it is their turn.
People who register for vaccines with any vaccine provider in Idaho will be asked to provide one of the following:
- A driver's license or work or school ID
- A letter with the person’s name and address
- A utility bill with the person’s name
- A voucher from an employer, faith-based institution, healthcare provider, school or other registered organization or agency that the person lives or works in Idaho
The vaccine provider will not make a copy or record this information in any way. This is only to show that the person seeking COVID-19 vaccination in Idaho also currently lives or works in Idaho.
No, the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.
COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot:
- Charge you for the vaccine
- Charge you directly for any administration fees, co-pays, or co-insurance
- Deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network
- Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination
- Require additional services in order for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; however, additional healthcare services can be provided at the same time and billed as appropriate
COVID-19 vaccination providers can seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipient’s health plan or program (e.g., private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee, if they are insured. However, providers cannot charge the vaccine recipient the balance of the bill.
Being vaccinated does not mean you can stop wearing face coverings or following other safety protocols. Face coverings continue to be required in all university buildings and all should continue to follow the Healthy Vandal Pledge.
See the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information on how your activities can change after vaccination, outside of the university.
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
Vaccine Webinar Questions
Currently, in the United States, there are three vaccines authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19. Public Health Idaho North Central District’s recommendation is to take the first shot that is available to you unless you have reasons to receive one over another.
There is no reason to suspect interference of the vaccines with fertility, conception, maintaining pregnancy or delivery. Pregnant women are at very high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and the vaccines appear to be safe during pregnancy. Women should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with their doctor. Learn more.
In-depth research on this topic is available on the COVID-19 Real-Time Learning Network from the Infectious Disease Society of America.
There are no known interactions with other medications or drugs. It may not be recommended to get the vaccine the same time you are starting a new medication to be able to identify potential side effects of that medication. Check with your medical provider about specific concerns.
No need to arrive early to your appointment at the Student Recreation Center. The time slots keep the line moving smoothly; it’s best to show up at your scheduled time.
The current recommendation is to receive the same vaccine brand for both doses. Learn more about vaccines that require two doses. Gritman is not mixing vaccine brands and is providing the same brand for your second dose.
Wait at least 14 days after your COVID-19 vaccine before getting any other vaccine, including a flu or shingles vaccine. If you have recently received any other vaccine first, wait at least 14 days before getting your COVID-19 vaccine. This is not necessarily due to interactions, but to ensure you have the best immune response. As more data is available, the CDC may update this recommendation.
There is no charge for the vaccine. Providers can bill insurance to cover the administration of the vaccine, but you will not be charged if you do not have insurance.
Yes. Register with your local address and have your VandalCard with you in case verification is needed at the clinic.
View real-time data about the number of vaccines provided throughout the state and by health district.
No. Students and employees do not need to submit proof they’ve been vaccinated to the university.
Vaccine trials are underway for adolescents and children, but no vaccine is currently available. Those under the age of 16 should continue to follow COVID-19 guidance to reduce the spread including avoiding large groups, handwashing, mask wearing and staying home when sick. Adults around them should get vaccinated to help reduce the risk of passing on the virus.
No. People with COVID-19 who have symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation; those without symptoms should also wait until they meet the criteria before getting vaccinated. This guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine. If you suspect you had COVID-19 and then got vaccinated, talk to your medical provider for guidance.
No. The way the doses are distributed is based on where you received your first dose. Your second dose will be sent to the location that provided your first dose in an effort to prevent vaccine waste. There is some flexibility in the timeline between doses if necessary. Talk with your first-dose provider if you have concerns.
In Idaho, as long as the student is able to understand what they are consenting for, they are able to get the vaccine without parental consent.
Vaccine experts around the world worked together to develop these vaccines. mRNA vaccines and other coronavirus vaccines have been studied for over 10 years. So, we had a head start. All trials followed the required safety protocols and were approved by the FDA.
The FDA has regulatory processes in place to facilitate the development of COVID-19 vaccines that meet their rigorous scientific standards. Learn more about vaccine safety from the CDC and the FDA.
The three COVID-19 vaccines all have FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The FDA may issue an EUA when the agency’s scientific experts have determined that the known and potential benefits of the vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks.