COVID Vaccine Information

Please review or fill out the following forms prior to your vaccine appointment: 

• RFHN COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form - English / español 
• Media Consent Form - English / español 
• Vaccine Eligibility Attestation Form - English / español 
• V-Safe Information Sheet - English / español / 中文 / Tiếng Việt 
• Moderna Fact Sheet - English / español / 中文 / Tiếng Việt / Tagalog / हिन्दी
• Pfizer Fact Sheet - English / español 
• CDC Post-COVID Vaccine Info - English /  español 

*We are currently working on updating our Tongan forms. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Does Ravenswood Family Health Network have the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Ravenswood has the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and is working with the Public Health Departments of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to vaccinate individuals according to the State of California’s guidelines.

Who can get the vaccine (as of April 15, 2021)?

Vaccines are available by appointment only for registered/established patients who are age 18+. Both registered/established patients as well as community members who meet the requirements can attend our mass vaccination clinics at our clinic sites (please check our website regularly for updates on mass vaccination clinics). 

How can I schedule a vaccine appointment?

If we have your mobile phone number or you are registered in Ravenswood’s MyChart patient portal, we will notify you when you are eligible for the vaccine. We can only notify you of your eligibility to receive a vaccine If we have your mobile phone number or you are registered in MyChart.

TEXT us at 650-383-2331 with the following information (please do not call us with this information):

• First, Middle, and Last Names
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Occupation
• Cell phone number that can receive text messages

If you have been a patient in the past two years, you can sign up to access your MyChart patient portal: https://mychart.ochin.org/mychartrfhc/Authentication/Login. After you register, you will regularly receive updates and be able to request an appointment to receive your COVID-19 vaccine.

I heard that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been paused. Why?

Effective Tuesday, April 13 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for a pause of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data on six reported U.S. cases of a blood clot among the 6.8 million people who have received the J&J vaccine. If you have received the J&J vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination, seek medical care. Ravenswood is currently not giving out J&J vaccines. See more information on the CDC website.

What are the benefits of the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine will teach your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19 and/or have a milder infection of COVID-19. Even if you get the vaccine you will still need to continue to wear a mask, stay six feet from others, and wash your hands regularly.

How long does it take for the vaccine to work?

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses—Moderna four weeks apart and Pfizer three weeks apart. It typically takes about 7-14 days to start developing about 50% immunity after the first dose, and 95% immunity after the second dose. 

Regardless, if you are vaccinated, you should still follow current precautions as many people in the community are not yet vaccinated and there are still a lot of COVID-19 cases.

What are the side effects of the vaccine?
The most common side effects include:

• Local
• Pain at the injection site
• General:
  * Tiredness
  * Headache
  * Muscle pain
  * Chills
  * Joint pain
  * Fever

These typically last several days and were more commonly reported after the second dose. 

Severe allergic reactions are rare, but may occur. If it does occur, it will be shortly after the vaccine. We ask everyone to stay at least 15 minutes so that we can observe them for immediate side effects or 30 minutes if there is a history of a severe allergic reaction. Please make sure to let us know if you have had these types of reactions or if you are a highly allergic individual so that we can watch you more closely. Please note that you may have reactions after the observation period. Once you leave, if you have any further reactions of concern to you, please contact 911 if you feel it is an emergency or your primary care provider if you have any other questions.

If I already tested positive for COVID-19, do I still need to get the vaccine?
(i.e. will receiving the vaccine still be beneficial?)
Yes. We do not know how long the immunity from having COVID-19 lasts. It is believed to last about 90 days. Schedule your vaccine appointment during this time. Be sure your isolation period is completed and you do not have any remaining symptoms prior to your vaccination.

If I am pregnant or breastfeeding can I get the vaccine?
Please check with your health care provider.

How much will the vaccine cost?
There is no cost to you for the vaccine. There may be a charge for administering it to your health insurance or health coverage. Regardless of insurance or coverage, you will be able to receive the vaccine.

What can I do until I am eligible to receive a vaccination?
Keep following COVID precautions including properly wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing your hands. Even vaccinated individuals need to practice these measures until healthcare guidance changes.

What if I am not a patient?
If you reside in San Mateo County, please visit: https://www.smchealth.org/covid-19-vaccination.
If you reside in Santa Clara County, please visit: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/COVID19-vaccine-information-for-public.aspx.