COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

No, the vaccine is free for everyone. For additional details, visit SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (SC DHEC) COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination FAQs page here.

Those needing to take time off are asked to do so through the normal process. Please connect directly with your supervisor or preceptor at Prisma Health and/or your university faculty/coordinators to discuss any time away from your clinical rotation.

Temporary symptoms such as fatigue and body aches represent the normal immune response and are experienced more frequently after the second vaccine dose. For most, these symptoms are not to the degree where activity is limited. You are clear to continue working.

• If symptoms extend or worsen beyond two days, call Employee Health at 803-434-2431 (Midlands) or 864-454-2358 (Upstate).
• A fever can also occur as part of the body’s normal immune response. Individuals should not work until they have gone 24 hours without fever.

Respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell are not related to the vaccine. If you experience these symptoms, call Employee Health at 803-434-2431 (Midlands) or 864-454-2358 (Upstate).

Yes. If you have had a positive COVID-19 test, you should still be vaccinated.

Those who are currently COVID positive must wait to receive the COVID vaccine until they are officially cleared to return to the clinical learning environment (CLE) by Prisma Health Employee Health. Typically this is approximately 10 days if the student is asymptomatic and afebrile (without fever).

Exception: If individuals have been treated with convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies as part of their COVID treatment, it is recommended that they wait 90 days to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

No, you do not have to wait. You can receive the vaccine even with a positive antibody test.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak with your primary care provider before taking the vaccine.

Yes. Only individuals with severe anaphylactic allergic reactions should hold off on receiving the vaccine as we learn more.

COVID-19 vaccine could be administered at the same time as the flu shot, but it should not be taken within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine. In addition, the CDC recommends waiting 4 weeks after receiving the COVID vaccine before getting a PPD or QuantiFERON blood test. There is no harm if someone gets these tests within 4 weeks of the vaccine, but it may potentially produce a false positive.