COVID-19 vaccines are now available for free for all Linn County, Iowa residents at least 16 years old. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled from this website at various providers.

Local hospitals and pharmacies are the primary vaccine distributors. Clark’s Pharmacy, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Walgreens Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy all offer the vaccine. The Eastern Iowa Health Center, Mercy Cedar Rapids and UnityPoint Health also have the vaccine available.

On the day of the appointment, before you’re given the vaccine, a personal medical information sheet must be filled out. You’ll either need to know your health insurance information or have photos of the insurance card. If you don’t have health insurance, the vaccine is still available for free, but the lack of insurance must be indicated on the information sheet.

Some vaccine recipients experience side effects afterward. These can include tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, a fever or nausea. These side effects are not harmful, but part of the process of building immunity inside your body. The arm where the vaccine shot is given can also be painful, red or swollen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin if the side effects are uncomfortable.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require a second dose a few weeks after the first. Pfizer vaccines require 21 days between doses, while Moderna vaccines require 28. The vaccine distributor will tell you which vaccine you’re getting when you go in to your appointment. Side effects after the second dose can be more intense than after the first.

According to the Linn County COVID-19 page, people who are fully vaccinated can begin to do some things they stopped doing due to the pandemic. All eligible Iowans are encouraged to get a vaccine as soon as possible.