COVID19 Patient FAQ

The health of our patients, physicians, staff and visitors is our top priority. Our clinicians are well prepared to accurately screen for risk of COVID-19 and respond immediately to prevent further spread. ALL PATIENTS/VISITORS MUST WEAR A FACE MASK THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THEIR VISIT. Visitors are expected to bring their own face mask. If they do not have one, a non-procedural face mask will be provided.

When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are not yet available to the general public. The decision about the priority order of vaccine distribution was first was made by the FDA and the CDC. Vaccine availability for the general public is anticipated in the future, and is expected to be available first to members of the public with significant medical problems and later to the general public. The priority vaccination of healthcare workers and other groups with high risk of exposure, as determined by the FDA and CDC.

Is there a waiting list for the vaccine?

MedStar Shah Medical Group does not have a waiting list for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Can I get updates by calling my doctor’s office?

Since distribution dates to the general public has not yet been announced by the federal government, our offices and providers do not have further information. We appreciate that our patients want to know more about the COVID-19 vaccine, but we kindly ask that you do not call your healthcare provider for information currently before the vaccine is available to the general population. This ensures that our phone lines are available for patients experiencing acute healthcare needs.

How would I make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

Once the vaccine is available to the public, we will inform existing patients and other members of the community of all the available vaccine opportunities through a variety of channels, including this website, our patient portal, and through email communications. Patients will likely be scheduled for the second dose at the time of their first vaccination appointment.

How will I be notified once the COVID-19 vaccine is available to me?

When the vaccine is available to the general public, MedStar Shah Medical Group will post information on medstarshah.org about how to access the vaccine. If you are an existing MedStar Shah Medical Group primary care patient, we will inform you of all the available vaccine opportunities. This includes sending out communications to our MedStar Shah Medical Group primary care patients via email and our patient portal. You also can visit the websites for the CDC and FDA for more information.

Where can I get more information about the Covid-19 vaccine?

The CDC and FDA websites have good info about the vaccine and the pandemic.