Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains the most current vaccine guidelines, including booster recommendations, for all ages. If getting the vaccine or booster is right for you, we make it easy to schedule an appointment. If you are still unsure, contact your primary care physician.

You will be given a choice of vaccine manufacturer based on availability and eligibility at the time of scheduling. This information may vary from week to week based on the vaccination supply provided to us by the state.

At this time, the state of Wisconsin is not requiring the COVID-19 vaccination for individuals.

Like many other health systems around southeast Wisconsin and the U.S., the Froedtert & MCW health network considers being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be a condition of employment. To keep everyone safe, our doctors and staff are required to get vaccinated unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption.

When scheduling your appointment to get your vaccine with the Froedtert & MCW health network, you will be presented with all options regarding which location and vaccinations we are currently offering. This information may vary from week to week based on the vaccination supply provided to us by the state. 

Yes, you may receive a vaccine if you have already had COVID-19 infection, are not acutely ill, and have met the CDC criteria for discontinuing isolation.

• At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset, and,
• At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and,
• Other symptoms have improved.

Currently there are no recommendations regarding the minimum time between infection and vaccination. If you have had a prior COVID-19 infection, you may delay vaccination for 90 days after the infection, since reinfection is not common during this time frame.

You can receive COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines without regard to timing.

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same time. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, and possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.

We encourage everyone to get both the flu vaccine and all COVID-19 vaccinations appropriate for them. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines train your immune system to protect you against completely different viruses. Getting a shot that protects you against one virus will not offer any protection against the other.

If you received your vaccination elsewhere and it is not showing up in your medical record, please check back later. We’re working to get your vaccination records from the state registry and will connect it to your account as soon as possible.

Froedtert & MCW App

You can access your COVID-19 vaccination records or test results through the Froedtert & MCW mobile app. Download the free Froedtert & MCW app if you haven’t already.

Whether it’s for work, travel or a local event, the Froedtert & MCW mobile app gives you three ways to share your COVID-19 vaccination records and test results.

1. Generate a QR code* to be scanned right from your mobile device.
2. Download a PDF with your vaccination QR code*.
3. Export your COVID-19 records to another app.

MyChart

You can also access your COVID-19 vaccination records or test results through MyChart. From the MyChart menu, navigate to “COVID-19,” then choose how you would like to share your information.

*Please note that an ordinary QR scanner will not be able to read your QR code. To protect your privacy, these QR codes need to be scanned by devices equipped with specific verification software in order to show meaningful data.

Mild to moderate side effects including fever, body aches and chills may occur in some people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Your arm may feel sore at the place where the shot was given for several days afterward.

• Review a complete list of known side effects of the Pfizer vaccine.
• Review a complete list of known side effects of the Moderna vaccine.
• Review a complete list of known side effects of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

The CDC now recommends that pregnant women, those breastfeeding and those trying to get pregnant, get vaccinated against COVID-19. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine offers you the best protection possible. If you have questions or concerns, we recommend talking with your primary care physician or obstetrician.

We do not recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as it may alter your immune response. You may take over-the-counter pain medication after receiving the vaccine should you have symptoms such as fever or muscle aches. If you have additional questions regarding your medications, we recommend consulting your primary care physician or clinician before scheduling your vaccination appointments.

If you had a recent surgery or have an upcoming surgery, you may still get the COVID-19 vaccine. You should talk with your doctor or clinician to determine the right time for you to get vaccinated. To avoid any potential side effects that may impact your care plan, we recommend that you get the vaccine at least three days before your surgery or seven days after your surgery. If you are running a fever, your surgery may need to be delayed. We will not delay urgent or emergency surgeries due to vaccination.