What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines?
COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective way to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to everyone 6 months of age and older regardless of insurance or immigration status.
To schedule an appointment in New York State, visit these sites:
NYS: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
NYC: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/
NYC Sinai: https://www.mountsinai.org/about/covid19/vaccine-information
Long Island: https://www.northwell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine
There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States. All 3 greatly reduce your chances of getting very sick with COVID-19. It takes about 2 weeks following a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for you to be fully protected against COVID-19.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are currently recommended for children aged 6 months and older. The vaccine is important for reducing COVID-19 risk in this age group because some children who get COVID may get very sick, be hospitalized, or experience symptoms that last for weeks or months. Most children who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 were otherwise healthy and did not have any underlying conditions. Young children can transmit COVID to others, even when they do not have COVID symptoms.
Stay up to date on COVID vaccinations for children with information from the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Children age 6 months to 5 years may receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Children age 5 years and older should receive the Pfizer vaccine. Children age 12 and up should receive the same dose as adults (30 micrograms). A lower dose (10 micrograms) is approved for use in children aged 5 to 11 years. This dose has been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19 in this age group. Vaccine dosage is based on age, not body weight. Therefore children should receive the dose for their age regardless of body size.
Get up to date information on pediatric COVID vaccine eligibility from the CDC. Find answers to more frequently asked questions about the COVID vaccine for children from the AAP and AAP President Lee Savio Beers.
It is safe to receive another vaccine, such as a flu shot, at the same time as a COVID vaccine. It is recommended that you receive them at different injection sites (e.g. different arms).
Yes. You can receive the COVID vaccine as soon as you are no longer experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and your isolation period has ended. If you become sick with COVID after receiving your first dose of an mRNA vaccine, you should wait until your symptoms resolve and your isolation period ends to receive your second dose. Natural immunity from COVID-19 infection decreases over time and many people have been reinfected. Getting vaccinated against COVID after having it has been shown to lead to very high levels of protection.
For the most up to date recommendations regarding booster doses, visit the CDC Booster Shots Page.
Studies have shown that immunity to COVID-19 begins to decrease within several months after vaccination, particularly in individuals over the age of 65 and those who are immune-compromised or have an underlying medical condition. A booster dose of the vaccine can provide further protection against severe disease. A booster is a full dose of the Pfizer or a half dose of the Moderna vaccine. Only the Pfizer booster is approved for children at this time.
The CDC recommends a booster for all individuals age 5 years or older who received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 5 months ago or the single dose of Johnson and Johnson at least 2 months ago.
A second booster is recommended for individuals over the age of 50 and for some people age 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Which booster shot should I get?
If you are 18 years or older, it is recommended that you get either the Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of which vaccine you received originally. Only the Pfizer booster is approved for children age 5-17. “Mixing and matching” booster doses has been shown to be safe and effective.
Yes. The CDC recommends a third primary dose of an mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals age 6 months and up. The 3rd dose should be administered 4 weeks after receiving their second dose for children ages 5 years and older or 8 weeks after receiving their second dose for children age 6 months to 4 years.
Some individuals experience side effects to the COVID-19 vaccine including mild to moderate headache, fever, and fatigue that resolves within a day or two. Side effects were more common after the second dose of the mRNA vaccines compared to the first. Side effects after the single Johnson & Johnson shot were similar to those seen after dose 2 of the mRNA vaccines. Side effects from the COVID booster shots are similar to those experienced following the initial vaccine series, and often milder.
In clinical trials for children, side effects were similar to those seen in adults and older children but less severe. The most common side effects reported included pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. No serious side effects including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart tissue) were seen in clinical trials of children ages 6 months and older.
Rare cases of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, were seen in a very small number of teens and young adults after receiving an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer). The vast majority of these cases were seen in males after the second dose and were mild. Myocarditis can also result from COVID infection. After careful review, the FDA determined that the benefits of vaccination against COVID infection outweigh the extremely rare risk of myocarditis.
Following approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, very rare but serious blood clots were observed, mostly in women under the age of 50. For this reason, the CDC recommends mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) when available. Individuals who received Johnson and Johnson originally should receive an mRNA booster. No increased risk of blood clots have been observed for the mRNA vaccines.
After you are fully vaccinated there is still a low risk that you may become infected and spread COVID-19. For this reason, it is still important for you to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Get more information from the CDC about what you can do safely after you are vaccinated.