COVID-19 Vaccine Facts

Vaccine Safety

Safety is a top priority in delivering a COVID-19 vaccine. Once a company develops a vaccine, it must go through a complex scientific testing process before it can be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA independently reviews the information from these tests to make sure the vaccine is safe and works well, and then decides whether the vaccine can be made available to the public through emergency use authorization.

After a vaccine is authorized for emergency use, multiple safety monitoring systems are in place to watch for possible adverse events. If an unexpected serious adverse event is detected, experts work as quickly as possible to determine whether it is a true safety concern.

 

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Authorized Vaccines

Several COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at reducing your risk of severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19. For more information on staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines to maximize your protection, visit the CDC website.

If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredients in a vaccine or have any concerns about your possible contraindications, be sure to check with your doctor for more information about your options.

Visit the CDC resources below for the most up to date information about the available COVID-19 vaccine. 

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Dosing Recommendations

The COVID-19 vaccines recommendations will be different depending on your age and health status. There are several options for the COVID-19 vaccines. Staying up to date on the COVID-19 vaccines will give you the most protective benefits.

Staying up to date means getting all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including a booster shot when eligible. Visit the CDC website to see the most recent COVID-19 vaccines recommendation.

Primary Series:

  • Two Dose Series: Pfizer (ages 12+), pediatric Pfizer (ages 5-11), Moderna (ages 18+), pediatric Moderna (ages 6months-5 years), Novavax (ages 18+)
    The Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses for the primary series. If you received the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC website to see when you need to get your second dose.

    Getting the second dose is important to ensuring you receive the full protective benefits of the vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable. That means you will need to get the same manufacturer for the second dose as you received for your first dose. If you go to a different provider than your first dose, be sure to check ahead to ensure they offer the manufacturer you need.

  • Three Dose Series: pediatric Pfizer (ages 6 months-4 years)
    The pediatric Pfizer vaccine for ages 6 months to 4 years requires three doses for the primary series. Visit the CDC website to see when your child will need his or her second and/or third doses.

  • Single Dose: Johnson and Johnson (Janssen)
    The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine requires a single dose for the primary series.

Booster Doses

Depending on your age, and health status, what vaccine you received for your primary series, and when you first got vaccinated, the CDC may also recommends additional COVID-19 booster dose(s) to further enhance or restore protection that might have waned over time after your primary series vaccination.

To learn more information about the COVID-19 vaccines dosing recommendations, visit:

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Still Have Questions?

If you have questions, please submit your question here or call us at 602-506-6767.