COVID-19 vaccination and testing information
Updated April 25, 2023
Vaccine availability
You have options for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at Vancouver Clinic:
- Ask for the vaccine/booster during a primary care visit (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OBGYN & Women’s Health, and Pediatrics). When you make an appointment with your provider through MyChart, please indicate that you want the vaccine during your visit.
- If you do not have a primary care provider at Vancouver Clinic, call 360-882-2778 to get established and receive the shot. Or find an open appointment online and get established.
- If you need the vaccine/booster but do not need to see your provider, please call 360-882-2778 to schedule a nurse visit. Or you may message your primary care provider through MyChart and ask to schedule a nurse visit.
Please note:
- COVID-19 vaccination is available at Salmon Creek, 87th Avenue, Columbia Tech Center, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Camas, Washougal, Evergreen Place, and Vancouver Plaza. Patients at other locations will need to schedule a nurse visit at one of these sites.
- Patients under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to provide consent. The parent or legal guardian must remain at the clinic while the shot is being administered.
- Vancouver Clinic offers the Pfizer (Comirnaty) brand. Patients may check Vaccinate WA to locate their preferred brand through a local pharmacy.
- Vancouver Clinic–Washougal offers the vaccine to patients age 12+. Patients who are under age 12 need to schedule a visit at a different site.
Vaccine eligibility
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. Learn more about vaccines and boosters for specific groups of people. For more information about the vaccine, please visit the Clark County Public Health website.
Vaccine cost
For those patients with health insurance, Vancouver Clinic will bill vaccine administration to your insurance company. If your insurance does not pay, or you do not have insurance, you will NOT be responsible for any cost associated with the vaccine.
COVID-19 care and PCR testing
If you are a patient and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or need testing, please make an appointment with your primary care provider through MyChart or call 360-882-2778. Many providers offer virtual and in-person visit options. If you are not established with a primary care provider, or if you need to be seen right away, please walk-in at any of our Urgent Care locations or schedule an Urgent Care appointment.
Please note:
- Tests for COVID-19 are currently ordered at the discretion of a health care provider. Vancouver Clinic uses a PCR method for testing. Results are available within 24–48 hours.
- Many insurance companies waive the co-payment for COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 test will bill to insurance at $139, plus a collection fee or office visit charge. Based on symptoms, in addition to COVID-19 testing, additional tests or services may also be ordered by the provider seeing you. You should contact your insurer to confirm the test will meet coverage criteria before scheduling a test.
Home testing options
An FDA-approved home test kit may good be an option for some patients. Please consult the CDC’s website to learn when to consider self-testing, how to use a self-test, and how to respond to the results. Plus, learn about insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.
Washington state allows households to order up to two free test kits per month while supplies last. Visit sayyescovidhometest.org to order.
Vancouver Clinic maintains this webpage as the best source of accurate information for our patients. Please continue to check back for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is considered immunocompromised?
A medical condition or immunosuppressive medications or treatments can classify a patient as immunocompromised. Conditions and treatments include but are not limited to:
- Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
- Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
- Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns or questions about the health of your immune system.
Do I have to wait and be observed after the shot?
Yes, the CDC recommends that all individuals who receive the vaccine be observed for 15–30 minutes afterward. The exact time depends on your health history. When you sign the consent to receive the vaccine, you also agree to the waiting period. While reactions are extremely rare, it’s important that a medical professional verify that your body is handling the shot well. Staying for the waiting period also enables us to log your shot in your medical record and schedule a second dose. Please note that the waiting period is required after both doses.
Should I eat before getting the vaccine?
It’s particularly important for individuals who are diabetic to eat normally and monitor their blood sugar. Receiving any shot while blood sugars are out of bounds increases the risk of complications. To help ensure a smooth experience, patients who are not diabetic should also make time for healthy meals and snacks.
Do I need to worry about myocarditis?
On June 25, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added a warning to the Pfizer and Moderna patient fact sheets. These COVID-19 vaccines carry a very low risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, which cause inflammation of the heart or the tissue surrounding the heart. Cases usually occur in patients under 30 following the second dose. The CDC continues to recommend full COVID-19 vaccination as the benefits outweigh the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications (hospitalization, severe illness, long-term health problems, and death). According to the CDC, “most patients with myocarditis and pericarditis who received care responded well to treatment and rest and quickly felt better.”
How can I get a new COVID-19 vaccination card if mine is lost?
Washington state allows you to safely access your official vaccination record online through the MyIR website or MyIR mobile app. Once registered, you can access proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as childhood immunization information, for you and your children. Alternately, you may request a printed version of your immunization record from your provider’s office.
To access and share proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test with increased privacy, consider using MyChart. MyChart helps patients generate a personal QR code to keep on their smart device. Learn how at mychart.com/covid.
Why is a booster dose necessary for kids?
We know vaccines are safe. Kids ages 5-11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to increase their protection. As vaccination effectiveness wanes, and as more transmissible subvariants spread and infections rise, it’s important to increase the number of children who are protected.
May I get the flu shot and a booster dose at the same time?
Yes, it’s safe to get both vaccines at the same time—and in the same arm if you wish. Your immune system is smart and knows how to respond to both shots. Most childhood vaccines are given in groups, so it’s a very common practice.
Is the updated booster safe?
Yes. Hundreds of millions of doses of the original mNRA have been safely given around the globe. The updated booster is modeled after the original vaccine and booster. This means it has a similar safety profile and side effects.
Does the updated booster work?
The updated booster increases people’s antibody levels, helping prevent COVID-19 infection and providing robust protection against severe disease and hospitalization. It’s expected to work at least as well as or better than the original booster.
Visitors
For the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, Vancouver Clinic asks that any support person you bring to your appointment is in good health (no fever, sneezing, coughing, or runny nose).
Masks
Effective April 3, 2023, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are ending the mask mandate that requires universal masking in health care facilities. Our region has continued to see a downward trend in COVID-19, RSV, and influenza rates, as well as a decrease in hospitalizations.
In alignment with these health departments, and in coordination with our local health care partners, Vancouver Clinic is updating our mask policy:
*Patients experiencing respiratory symptoms should wear a mask to protect other patients and staff.
*Everyone entering the Infusion and Oncology suites must mask to protect immunocompromised patients who are at higher risk for severe illness.
*Masking is recommended but not required in other clinic areas.
Information about COVID-19
People with COVID-19 experience a wide range of symptoms and may be mildly sick to severely ill.
Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. COVID-19 testing is available through a provider order at Vancouver Clinic.
How to protect yourself
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Follow public health guidelines.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Stay home and away from others when sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you feel sick
- Stay home when you are sick, especially if you have respiratory illness symptoms. Whether you have the seasonal flu, the common cold, or something else, it’s important you stay away from others when sick.
- Monitor yourself for fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. For mild-to-moderate symptoms, use home monitoring and care.
- If you need to seek care, schedule a visit with your primary care provider or Urgent Care through MyChart. For scheduling assistance or to speak with an advice nurse, please call (360) 882-2778.
- If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
The CDC has the most current information about the virus, including everything you need to know about how the virus spreads, how it’s treated, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick. Stay on top of the latest by visiting the CDC website, which is updated frequently.
Washington State Department of Health:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Clark County Public Health:
https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/novel-coronavirus
Resources for the Homebound:
Download a list of local resources