Vaccination FAQ

Coquille Indian Tribe

How should I prepare for my vaccination?

Before reporting for your appointment, please download this app.

The v-safe app is secure and allows the CDC to monitor your health and-or any side effects following the COVID-19 vaccination. If you don’t have a smart phone, the tribal health center staff will help you figure out how to monitor yourself.

Which vaccine does the Coquille Tribe use?

We’re using the Moderna vaccine. 

What if I don’t live near the tribal clinic?

If you are a Coquille Tribal member residing outside the tribe’s five-county service area (Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson and Lane), your clinic or health-care provider may have a different vaccine. Check with your regular service provider. Consider contacting a tribal or Indian Health Service clinic near you to ask  about options for receiving the vaccine. Or check this IHS website.

What are the common side-effects of the vaccine?

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue

How soon will I be immune to the disease?

Each vaccine requires two doses to be effective. With the Moderna vaccine, you are fully protected two weeks after the second dose. With the Pfizer vaccine, you are fully protected one week after the second dose.

Should I get the vaccine if I’ve tested positive for COVID-19?

A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and still has symptoms should wait till the end of their isolation period to get the vaccine. To avoid infecting others, it is recommended to wait one month after recovering from the illness before getting the vaccine.

What if I’ve already had the disease? Should I get vaccinated anyway?

Antibody levels drop after a natural infection. So the CDC recommends people who have had the illness be vaccinated to boost the immune response and provide long-term protection.

It is recommended to wait one month after recovering from the illness before getting vaccinated. Anyone who is vaccinated for COVID-19 should have two doses, even if they already have been infected.

Is vaccination mandatory?

These vaccines are not currently mandatory. We are strongly encouraging vaccination and promoting education about the vaccine and COVID-19.

Once I’m vaccinated, am I done with COVID-19?

The vaccine helps protect you – but even with the vaccine you can still become infected with COVID-19 and may still be able to pass it on to your loved ones. Until we have reached herd immunity, we must all continue to do our part to protect our community

Are the vaccines safe? Are they effective?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both were found to be over 94 percent effective, and neither reported serious safety issues. The vaccines were tested in large-scale research, which included adults from all backgrounds.

Due to the global pandemic, both vaccines were tested in many more people than a typical vaccine trial: The Pfizer vaccine was tested in 43,000 people and the Moderna vaccine was tested in 30,000 people.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a six-minute video on the topic.  See the video

More information

• Our distribution guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccinations (CDC)
• Vaccines in Oregon (Oregon Health Authority)
• Oregon COVID FAQ (OHA)
• Answering Your Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations (CDC)
• Understanding COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
• Understanding mRNA Vaccines (CDC)
• The FDA Path from Research to Emergency Use Approval
• COVID-19 Talking Points 12-20-20 (OHA)
• Remaining Vigilant (Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board)
• V-Safe After-Vaccine Health Checker (CDC)
• Frequent Questions About COVID-19 Vaccinations (CDC)

For specific questions relating to the Coquille Tribe’s COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 1 Distribution, please email [email protected].