Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

We know you may have many questions about vaccines and how they affect you and your loved ones. Below is a collection of common questions and links to resources. We'll continue to add to the list as we receive questions from the community. You can also submit your questions to COVID19@shastacounty.gov or call 211.

New: Ages 6 months and older are now eligible to receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines.

Do parents need to be present for a child under 18 to be vaccinated?

We encourage a parent/guardian to attend the vaccination appointment with their child. Each Shasta County vaccine provider has their own consent process. Families should check with their vaccine provider on acceptable forms of consent. CDPH has issued COVID-19 minor consent guidance.

Do providers need parental consent before administering COVID-19 vaccine to a minor?

Yes. Vaccine providers must obtain consent from a parent, legal guardian, or other adult having legal custody before vaccinating a minor. The parent/guardian may accompany the minor in person.

Emancipated minors do not need the consent of a parent or guardian to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and may consent for him/herself.
Providers may accept written consent from a parent or legal guardian of an unaccompanied minor.
CDPH has issued COVID-19 minor consent guidance,

Find more questions and answers about youth vaccination here.

What safety monitoring happens when COVID-19 vaccines are authorized?

COVID-19 vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccine safety is monitored using several surveillance systems, including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). Thanks to these platforms, we know that the vaccine is an incredibly safe way to protect adults and children against COVID-19. The public should report unusual side effects to one of the nation's safety monitoring systems for the general public, military members, veterans, and tribal nations. Call VAERS toll-free number at 1-800-822-7967.
All COVID-19 vaccines were built from decades of research and followed the same steps as other vaccines to ensure they were safe and effective before being made available to the public. No vaccine testing phases were skipped, and all phases were thoroughly evaluated to meet the high standards of safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality of the FDA.

Can I still carry or transmit the virus after I'm vaccinated?

Yes, some people with vaccine breakthrough infections can still spread COVID-19 to others. However, fully vaccinated people with a breakthrough infection are less likely to have serious illness with COVID-19 than those who are unvaccinated. It all depends on what type of safety precautions are being used, groups of people that are at higher risk of getting infected again, and the level of risk.
If you've gotten all recommended vaccine doses and you've had close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, go get tested at least five days after the contact has happened. Masking is recommended if you or a close contact, have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for Covid-19. See COVID-19 self-isolation guidance for more details.