Health and Wellness

COVID-19

Vaccine Information

The COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. vaccination program are rapidly evolving. Check this page often for updates.

CalOptima cares about your health. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and will help protect you and your loved ones from getting COVID-19. The vaccines will be given to you at no cost.

COVID-19 Vaccine Member Health Rewards

Eligible CalOptima members 5 years of age or older can receive a $25 gift card for each COVID-19 dose received or a $25 gift card if you get the single dose vaccine. Gift cards will be mailed after CalOptima confirms through the California Immunization Registry that you received your COVID-19 vaccine.

 
If you received your COVID-19 vaccine, please be patient as there may be delays in confirming your vaccination and mailing your gift card(s) for the COVID-19 Vaccine Member Health Rewards program. If you received a vaccine that requires 2 doses, you may receive your gift card for the 1st and 2nd doses at different times. Thank you for your patience.

 
 Frequently Asked Questions


COVID-19 Vaccine Message From Community Leaders

Orange County leaders know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They agree that you can help stop the pandemic by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. With everyone vaccinated, we can return our community back to normal life faster. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Set up your COVID-19 vaccine appointment at www.othena.com today. Don’t wait — vaccinate!

How to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination information is rapidly changing. Please check often for more details about where to get vaccinated.

 
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone age 5 and older, who lives or works in Orange County.

For more details, visit the OC Health Care Agency’s COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution webpage.  

After your 1st dose, the 2nd dose should be given as close to 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna. If that is not possible, the 2nd dose can be given up to 6 weeks after the 1st first dose. This recommendation is by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccine guidelines.  

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Call Your Health Network

CalOptima members can call their health network to ask for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or sign up through www.othena.com.  

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www.othena.com

If you live or work in Orange County you can sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine on the Othena website at www.othena.com.  

Watch video tips about Othena 

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Pharmacies

Some pharmacies offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the links below for details about how to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.

Visit the CVS Pharmacy vaccine web page 

Visit the Rite Aid Pharmacy vaccine web page 

Visit the Walgreens Pharmacy vaccine web page 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

Vaccines purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost.

Read more at the California Department of Managed Health Care.  

What are the facts about COVID-19 vaccines?

Correct vaccine information is vital. The CDC provides current facts about COVID-19 vaccines.  

  1. Fact: COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19.
  2. Fact: COVID-19 vaccines will not cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests.
  3. Fact: People who have been sick with COVID-19 will still benefit from getting vaccinated.
  4. Fact: Getting vaccinated can help prevent you getting sick with COVID-19.
  5. Fact: Getting an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA.

What are the key things to know about the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program?

  • Everyone ages 5 and older can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are effective at helping protect you against severe disease and death from the virus that causes COVID-19, including known variants.
  • After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are no-cost.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are one of the many ways to help us stop this pandemic.
  • People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to get an additional primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Pfizer or Moderna).
  • COVID-19 booster shots are recommended for everyone ages 16 and older. Ask your doctor when the right time is to get yours.
  • People can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including flu vaccine, at the same time.

To learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine program or the different vaccines, visit the CDC website.

What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Visit the CDC for more details about the benefits.  

  • The COVID-19 vaccine will greatly reduce your risk of getting COVID-19.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is a safer way to help build protection.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

How is your privacy protected if you take the COVID-19 vaccine?

California law strictly limits how personal information about those who are vaccinated can be shared. California worked with the federal government to limit the required data sharing to only information that will not allow a person to be identified.

More detials, visit the California Department of Public Health.  

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COVID-19 vaccine, click the links below:

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs 

Orange County Health Care Agency for Local COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for National COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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