Patients will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms and are required to wear a mask if your have any upper respiratory symptoms: coughing, sneezing, congestion/runny nose, fever and sore throat. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or the Flu vaccine, please call (401) 312-9831.

Covid_Flu Shot photo

COVID-19 & Influenza (Flu) FAQ's

BVCHC is currently administing the Pfizer vaccine. For more information on vaccine updates and eligibility, click here.

No. None of the vaccine contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

Yes! All available COVID-19 vaccines are fully approved by the FDA and greatly reduce the risk of severe disease including hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.​ Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19

Yes. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine after recovering from a COVID-19 infection provides added protection to your immune system. People who are unvaccinated are TWICE as likely to get COVID-19 again.

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19. Though the vaccine is quite good, it’s not 100% protective.

No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

No! In fact, pregnant people are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended in pregnancy as the best way to protect yourself and your unborn baby from the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy.

For more information on What to Expect from your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment, click here. For more information on vaccine side effects, click here.

The rapid COVID test is a test that looks for an antigen or a protein of the COVID 19 virus. The result is available the same day; however, it can take up to 3 days to verify the results.

For current BVCHC patient who have COVID contact or symptoms, call (401) 312-9831 to speak to a provider today.

For current BVCHC patients, once you have an appointment, you will be tested at:

  • Open to all current BVCHC patients with a scheduled testing appointment (see above). Available to new patients following a new patient appointment with a provider. We have select same day appointments available.
  • Testing for Rhode Islanders who do not have symptoms (also called asymptomatic testing) is available through the RI DOH, click here for more information.

We encourage patients to use the Patient Portal to get documentation of results. If for any reason, an established patient cannot access the portal, please be advised that we will contact you by phone with your results.

If an employer, school, or travel plans, etc. require proof of a negative COVID test, we encourage you to check with them directly about which test is needed. Some will accept only a rapid test, while others require a PCR test. The RI DOH offers testing specifically for travel and for school aged children and school employees.

COVID Treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, are age 12 or older, and started having mild to moderate symptoms in the last five days, call your healthcare provider right away and ask about treatment with oral antiviral medications.

  • You can take this five-day pill series at home.

Your healthcare provider can send your prescription to a pharmacy near you that has oral antiviral medications

Influenza (flu)

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

  • fever* or feeling feverish/chills
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • muscle or body aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

More information is available at Flu and COVID-19 symptoms.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.

  • Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot.
  • People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine
  • See special considerations regarding egg allergy for more information about egg allergies and flu vaccine.