As the region’s only community-owned, community-based health system, Sparrow is proud to be Mid-Michigan’s leader in COVID-19 care, testing, and administration of the COVID vaccine.
Sparrow is committed to providing access to the vaccine for whoever wants it, and we have already administered thousands of doses to Sparrow caregivers and those in related healthcare fields.
Our mission is to not only provide quality, compassionate care to our communities but to be transparent about the care you receive. This page is aimed at providing you with up to date information and the latest vaccine guidelines, schedule options, and frequently asked questions.
Current Vaccination Criteria
Following guidelines by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and as vaccine supplies are available, Sparrow is vaccinating the groups below.
Effective Nov. 3, 2021, all people aged five and up.
Note: Minors that are under the age of 18 years old need a parent or legal guardian to accompany them to their appointment to provide consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine only.
Vaccine Booster or Additional Dose
Sparrow is giving the COVID-19 vaccine booster.
To get the new Pfizer COVID Bivalent vaccine booster, patients should schedule an appointment with their Sparrow SMG practice.
Based on the CDC recommendations, additional doses for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are approved for use in all immunocompromised patients. They are eligible after 28 days after their series.
The booster recommendations are as follows:
- 12 years and older that had the Pfizer vaccine can get the booster at least five months after.
- 18 years and older that had the Moderna vaccine can get the booster at least five months after.
- 18 years and older that had the Johnson and Johnson can get the booster at least two months after.
If you have questions about your personal situation, please get in touch with your physician.
Vaccine for Children Four and Under
Parents or guardians should call their family medicine practice to schedule a vaccine appointment or get it during a regularly scheduled office visit.
Vaccine for Children Five to 11 Years Old
The CDC has recommended children ages five to 11 get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is available in pediatrician offices. If you have questions about your child's situation, please consult with your pediatrician or primary care physician.
COVID-19 Vaccine Locations
The Greater Lansing Area Primary Care SMG offices offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. We also have the Pfizer vaccine only at our Sparrow Urgent Care East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Mason, and Lansing locations, as well as the Sparrow Walk-In Care Lansing location.
- Sparrow Medical Group primary care practices in the Greater Lansing area can provide the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for existing patients.
- Sparrow Urgent Cares in East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Mason, and Lansing, as well as our Sparrow Walk-In Care Lansing location can administer the Pfizer vaccine. Schedule your appointment online now.
COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your primary care physician.
COVID-19 Vaccination Informational Videos
Positive Feedback About the COVID Vaccine
Sparrow OB/GYN Alane Laws-Barker, M.D., has received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and explains the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for minority communities which are 2.5 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than others.
Sparrow medical intensive care nurse Mary-Jo Julin, BSN, RN, shares how she felt after receiving both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and why she hopes her co-workers, family and the rest of the public get vaccinated.
Tina Ray, BSN, RN, President of the Professional Employees Council at Sparrow Hospital, explains why she received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, how she reacted to them, and why she wants everyone to consider getting vaccinated.
Sparrow Hospital Chief Medical Officer Denny Martin, D.O., explains how he experienced no side effects after getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including very little injection site soreness, and why he is happy to be fully vaccinated.
Sparrow Clinical Dietician Amy Van Tighem, RD, CNSC, explains how grateful she is to have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. She had a rough two-week bout with COVID in the fall and wants to assure anyone who may feel hesitant that getting vaccinated is so worth it.
Aisha Mursaleen, M.D., Associate Medical Director of Sparrow Hospitalists, has treated many COVID patients and understands the importance of the vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- No
- Also, you cannot spread COVID from the vaccine
- Most effects are related to your immune response and are expected
- Likelihood of local reaction is about 60% (pain, redness, swelling to injection site)
- Other side effects range in likelihood
Most are mild to moderate and include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle pain
Yes; you can work if you are having expected effects from the vaccine
- Yes; per the Immunization Action Coalition, “Persons should be offered vaccine regardless of a prior history of infection. However, if they are currently infected, vaccination should be deferred until their recovery from acute illness.” (12.14.20)
- Yes; however, per the Immunization Action Coalition, “…vaccination should be deferred for persons with a known SARS-CoV2 exposure until after their quarantine period has ended…” (12.14.20)
- Yes, to ensure full effect of the vaccine, a second dose of the vaccine is needed
- For the Pfizer vaccine, the second dose is due 21 days after the first dose
- For the Moderna vaccine, the second dose is due 28 days after the first dose
- The second dose for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine can be given up to six weeks after the first dose (source: CDC)
- Per the Immunization Action Coalition, “Pregnant or lactating women may choose to be vaccinated after discussion with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection … Routine testing for pregnancy before vaccination is not recommended.” (12.14.20)
- Discuss your options with your healthcare provider (source: FDA)
- Per the Immunization Action Coalition, “Unless otherwise contraindicated, persons with underlying medical conditions or who are immunocompromised may receive COVID-19 vaccine” (12.14.20)
- Individuals should discuss their specific situation with their healthcare providers prior to getting vaccinated.
- No; in this situation individuals should wait until more information is known about severe reactions to the COVID vaccine.
- Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day.
The most commonly reported side effects, which typically lasted several days, were:
- pain at the injection site
- tiredness
- headache
- muscle pain
- chills
- joint pain
- fever
Please view the FDA's Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
Side effects that have been reported with the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine include:
- Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness
- General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever
Please view the FDA's Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
Side effects that have been reported with the Johnson & Johnson (also known as Janssen) COVID‑19 Vaccine include:
- Injection site reactions: pain, erythema and swelling
- General side effects: headache, fatigue, myalgia, nausea, and fever
Please view the FDA's Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
Patients will NOT be charged for any cost of the COVID-19 vaccine they receive from Sparrow.
Any administration fee, covering the cost of staffing and supplies, will be billed to your insurance. For those without insurance, Sparrow will seek reimbursement through the federal CARES Act. Sparrow will NOT balance bill the patient if the insurance does not cover 100% of the vaccine administration fee.
As the region’s only community-owned, community-based health system, we are committed to continuing to be the leader in protecting the health of the Mid-Michigan region.