We have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to provide Covid-19 vaccines to PANW patients and their families. We are thrilled to announce we are now offering Covid-19 vaccine clinics! We are one step closer to protecting our community, and being able to hug family and friends again.
Below we have responded to frequently-asked questions about our Covid-19 vaccine clinics:
Who can schedule a Covid-19 vaccine appointment at PANW?
Patients 12 years or older are eligible to schedule an appointment. These vaccine clinics will also be open to immediate household members of any patient, as long as the household member is 12 years or older. We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated.
Which vaccines will be available at PANW?
We have requested the Pfizer vaccine through the Oregon Health Authority. The Pfizer vaccine can be given to individuals 12 years and older.
When and where will these Covid vaccine clinics be held?
We are holding Covid vaccine clinics at our Tigard location on Saturdays.
Will these vaccine clinics be drive-thru or in the office?
For the convenience of our patients, our Covid vaccine clinics are drive-thru. In the event of inclement weather (high winds or heavy rain), vaccine clinics will be moved inside the clinic to ensure everyone’s safety. If this happens, patients will be notified ahead of time via text message.
Will vaccines be offered during in-office visits throughout the week?
At this time, we are not able to offer Covid vaccines during regular appointments in the office due to the limited supply we are receiving.
Does the drive-thru take place in the PANW parking lot where patients normally park at the Tigard location?
To accommodate a heavy flow of traffic and the need for patients to be monitored for a 15 or 30-minute period after receiving their vaccine, the entrance to our drive-thru clinics start at SW 70th Ave. (first side street above our parking lot). Patients will be routed down SW 70th to our neighboring parking lot for check-in, then to a vaccine tent, and finally down into the PANW parking lot for monitoring of possible reactions. Volunteers and signs will be present to help direct patients.
How many weekends will PANW be holding Covid vaccine clinics?
To begin, we plan to offer 4 vaccine clinics for first doses, plus 4 follow-up clinics for the associated second doses. Following these, we will offer additional dates if we continue to receive vaccine supply and have a high demand for appointments. Currently, we are only permitted to request vaccines weekly for the following week and new supply is not guaranteed. We are opening schedules one additional week at a time. We hope this changes over the next few months as vaccine supply improves across the nation.
Dates:
First clinic: May 8th (1st dose) ⇒ May 29th Memorial Day weekend (2nd dose)
Second clinic: May 15th (1st dose) ⇒ June 5th (2nd dose)
Third clinic: May 22nd (1st dose) ⇒ June 12th (2nd dose)
Fourth Clinic: May 29th (1st dose) ⇒ June 19th (2nd dose)
If I receive my first dose at PANW, is my second dose at PANW guaranteed?
Yes, we are able to provide second doses to everyone who receives their first dose with us. For every first dose we give, we will receive an equal number of second doses.
If I received my first dose at PANW, do I have to get my second dose at PANW? Can I get it somewhere else if needed?
Though it is highly recommended, it is not required that patients receive their second dose from PANW. Patients may receive their second dose from another vaccination site if needed. If you plan to receive your second dose elsewhere, please make sure to cancel your second appointment at PANW to help us avoid wasting the vaccine.
Note: It is crucial for patients to complete both doses of the vaccine for the best protection against Covid-19.
Are there any medical conditions that would exclude a patient from being able to get the vaccine?
If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose, or had an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to the first dose, please consult with your medical provider. For information about vaccine ingredients, please refer to the Emergency Use Authorization vaccine fact sheet for Pfizer.
How do I schedule my Covid vaccine appointment at PANW?
Appointments are available by calling the office. Adult household members will need to first enter the name and birth date of an existing PANW patient before scheduling their appointment. If the patient is under 12, there will not be an appointment for the child, but household members will be linked to the patient.
When do I schedule my second dose?
For a streamlined process, PANW will automatically schedule an appointment for the second dose when patients schedule their first dose. All second doses will be scheduled 3 weeks after the first, at the same appointment time as the first dose.
What else should I know when scheduling my appointments?
New guidance from health officials now allows individuals to receive their Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines if needed,
rather than waiting a minimum of 14 days between different immunizations. If you are sick, it is best to wait until you are healthy to get your Covid vaccine.
After each dose of the vaccine, all patients will need to wait either 15 or 30 minutes (depending on medical history) before leaving to so we can watch for any adverse reactions and ensure patient safety. We recommend accounting for this “medical observation” time when scheduling your appointments.
What do I need to do before my appointment and what should I bring?
All individuals must have a scheduled appointment before arriving; we unfortunately cannot accommodate last-minute add-ons due to our
limited supply. Additionally, each individual needs to complete their electronic registration and screening forms before arriving so we can serve all patients as efficiently as possible. Individualized links for each person’s registration and forms will be emailed and texted 1 day prior to each appointment. If you do not receive your link, please contact the office. On the appointment day, please wear a mask and bring your insurance card, ID, and vaccine card (if it is your 2nd appt.).
If I am sick on the day of my appointment, is it safe to get my vaccine or should I re-schedule? If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, such as fever, shortness of breath, or coughing, please stay home and re-schedule your appointment once you have recovered.
Will my insurance be billed?
Like other vaccination sites, PANW will bill your insurance for the work done to give the vaccine (known as the “administration fee”), but not the vaccine itself. Patients will not be charged, even if their insurance does not cover the administration fee. We welcome individuals without insurance.
What should I do if I have more questions about the vaccines?
No problem, we understand that many patients have questions and there is a lot of conflicting information in the news. Our expert providers and triage nurses are happy to help answer your questions. Contact us anytime!
Also check out our latest FAQ with PANW pediatrician and immunization expert, Dr. Jay Rosenbloom. He covers what to expect with possible side effects, if it’s safe to take pain medications beforehand, how soon after the vaccines you are considered “fully vaccinated,” and how we know the vaccines are safe.
The Emergency Use Authorization fact sheet from Pfizer is also available with more information.
***If you schedule an appointment elsewhere or need to re-schedule, please cancel your appointment with us. This will allow us serve other eager patients and avoid wasting our limited supply of vaccines.
