COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Arkansas Department of Health

COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

Though the development of a COVID-19 vaccine has followed an accelerated timeline, safety has been the top priority.

Who is eligible to get the vaccine in Arkansas?

All Arkansans age 12 or older are now eligible to receive the vaccine.

How can I get the vaccine?

Eligible Arkansans can make an appointment at a community pharmacy. Vaccine clinics and events may also be available in your area through hospitals, health care providers, or your worksite. Click here for a list of clinics. For those who work in education, the district, facility, or college/university should determine how many doses are needed, and then reach out to an ADH Local Health Unit or a community pharmacy to schedule a vaccination clinic. Call 1-800-985-6030 for assistance finding a vaccine in your area or to sign up for an ADH clinic.

Arkansans who receive a COVID-19 vaccine following the effective date of May 26, 2021, are eligible to receive an incentive for getting vaccinated. To learn more about the incentives, click here.

When can I get a booster shot?

Underlying Medical Conditions include but not limited to are:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies)
Hypertension
HIV infection
Immunocompromised state (mild to moderate)
Liver disease
Neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down syndrome and cerebral palsy
Overweight and obesity
Pregnancy and recent pregnancy
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
Having a medical-related technological dependence (for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID 19)
Other medical conditions or factors (for example, race or ethnicity) that may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19

High-risk occupations include but are not limited to are:

Health care worker
Teachers and school staff
Food manufacturing workers

Q: Who is eligible to get a booster?
A: For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

65 years and older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For the people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Q: Will booster shots be the same formulation as existing vaccines?
A: Yes, COVID-19 booster shots are the same formulation as the current COVID-19 vaccines. However, in the case of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, it is half the dose of the vaccine people get for their initial series.

Q: Can people mix and match vaccine brands for their booster shot?
A: Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. If you have lost your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record. Additional information about your COVID-19 vaccine record can be found here.

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