Booster Shots
If you are 18 years and older and received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna initial vaccine series at least six months ago or the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, you are eligible for your COVID-19 booster dose. Boosters can help provide additional protection, especially for those over the age of 50 and others with underlying conditions
A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will help New Yorkers maximize their protection, prolong the vaccine’s durability and protect New Yorkers at higher risk of infection and severe disease. Find out more here.
A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will help New Yorkers maximize their protection, prolong the vaccine’s durability and protect New Yorkers at higher risk of infection and severe disease. Find out more here.
All individuals age 5 and older are now eligible for the vaccine. Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved for emergency use in children 5-11 years of age.
COVID vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. Visit Vaccines.gov, or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) to find appointments near you, or contact your local pharmacy or provider.
To schedule an appointment directly at a New York State-run site, go to New York State's vaccine scheduler and follow the instructions. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at New York State mass vaccination sites for all eligible individuals.
COVID vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. Visit Vaccines.gov, or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) to find appointments near you, or contact your local pharmacy or provider.
To schedule an appointment directly at a New York State-run site, go to New York State's vaccine scheduler and follow the instructions. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at New York State mass vaccination sites for all eligible individuals.
What to Know
Process and immune response
Immunity
Researchers do not yet know how long immunity after vaccination lasts. That’s why continuing prevention practices like wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and social distancing will still be important.
Immune Response after Vaccination
Researchers studying the vaccines currently in clinical trials report that it is common for people to feel fatigue and mild to moderate pain or muscle soreness at the injection site and have a fever. This is the body’s immune response to the vaccine and a sign that the vaccine is starting to work. A second dose of the vaccine is very important to ensure full protection. Mild pain relievers should help you feel better if you experience any of these side effects. Call your health care provider if you don’t feel better within two or three days.
No serious side effects related to the vaccines have been reported.
Researchers do not yet know how long immunity after vaccination lasts. That’s why continuing prevention practices like wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and social distancing will still be important.
Immune Response after Vaccination
Researchers studying the vaccines currently in clinical trials report that it is common for people to feel fatigue and mild to moderate pain or muscle soreness at the injection site and have a fever. This is the body’s immune response to the vaccine and a sign that the vaccine is starting to work. A second dose of the vaccine is very important to ensure full protection. Mild pain relievers should help you feel better if you experience any of these side effects. Call your health care provider if you don’t feel better within two or three days.
No serious side effects related to the vaccines have been reported.
Availability
All individuals 12 years of age and older that reside in the United States are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA and New York State's independent Clinical Advisory Task Force: one that was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a second that was developed by Moderna, and a third that was developed by Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA and New York State's independent Clinical Advisory Task Force: one that was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a second that was developed by Moderna, and a third that was developed by Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Staying safe
Stopping this pandemic will require using all tools available. Wearing masks, hand washing, and social distancing help lower your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. A vaccine will help your body fight the virus if you are exposed.
Experts need more time to understand the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations on mask use. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.
Experts need more time to understand the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations on mask use. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.
vaccine safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). There is also continuous monitoring by the CDC and FDA for any issues or safety concerns with the vaccine.
FDA fact sheets for recipients and caregivers on each vaccine are available: Pfizer; Moderna; Johnson & Johnson.
FDA fact sheets for recipients and caregivers on each vaccine are available: Pfizer; Moderna; Johnson & Johnson.
Source: New York State Department of Health