General Vaccine Information

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Vaccines reduce the risk of infection and are very effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines are available at no cost to you and regardless of immigration status.

Vaccination is safer than risking illness and long-term health effects from COVID-19. Even people who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated.

Everyone should stay up to date with their vaccines – this means getting both the primary series and recommended booster shots when eligible.

Boosters

Updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosters are now available. The updated boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. These boosters increase your immunity from your prior doses.

• Moderna:
• Everyone 6 months and older who received the Moderna primary series should receive a bivalent booster dose at least two months after their last vaccine dose (even if they have received prior booster shots).
• Pfizer:
• Everyone 5 years and older who received the Pfizer primary series should receive a bivalent booster dose at least two months after their last vaccine dose (even if they have received prior booster shots).
• Children 6 months to 4 years who received the Pfizer primary series are not eligible for a booster dose at this time. However, people in this age group that have not received all three doses of the Pfizer primary series will now receive a bivalent shot for their third dose.

People ages 6 and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of which brand of vaccine they previously received.

If you recently had COVID-19, you can consider waiting to get a booster until three months after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, three months after your test date. You may want to get a booster sooner than three months after you had COVID-19 if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or getting it again.

Talk to your provider about when you should get your next vaccine.

Vaccinations for Children

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available for children ages 6 months and older.

The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.

The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.

If your child has transitioned to a different age group during or after getting their primary series, talk to their provider about what vaccine doses they should get and when.

Vaccination Schedule for Young Children

Children should get the same vaccine brand for their second (and third) doses of their primary series as they received for their first dose.

Pfizer

• Ages: 6 months to 4 years
• Doses: Three
• Schedule: Second dose given at least 21 days (3 weeks) days after the first, and the third dose given at least 56 days (8 weeks) days after the second. The third dose is a bivalent dose.
• Bivalent Booster: Not eligible for a booster dose at this time

Moderna

• Ages: 6 months to 5 years
• Doses: Two
• Schedule: Second dose given at least 28 days (4 weeks) after the first
• Bivalent Booster: At least two months after the second dose. Children 6 months to 4 years must get a Moderna booster, while children 5 years and older can get a Moderna or Pfizer booster.

Ask your child’s pediatrician if they will be offering vaccination. Some pharmacies may offer vaccine to children 3 years and older.

• Get Your Child Vaccinated Against COVID-19! Children ages 6 months to 4 years are now eligible. (PDF)
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• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months to 4 Years: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
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• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5 to 17: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
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• NYC Department of Education: COVID-19 Vaccination for Students

Consent Required

A parent or guardian must provide consent for their child to be vaccinated in person, by phone or in writing, depending on the vaccination site. They will not need to provide proof they are the child's parent or guardian.

Children ages 15 and younger should be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian.

Additional Doses for People with a Weakened Immune System

Separate from boosters, people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) should get an additional vaccine dose, as part of their primary vaccine series.

This dose is intended to help people who may not have had a strong response to the first two doses due to a medical condition or treatment. People ages 6 months and older who receive this dose should also get a booster dose when eligible.

• CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

Fair and Equitable Access

The Health Department is ensuring there is fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. We are ensuring the communities hit hardest by the pandemic have access to the vaccine.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Strategy (PDF)
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions for the Disability Community

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities can get help making a vaccination appointment at an accessible site, traveling to their appointment and getting their vaccine. This kind of help is called a reasonable accommodation.

You can get a reasonable accommodation if you have difficulty with:

• Seeing or hearing
• Thinking or concentrating
• Speaking
• Using your arms
• Taking care of daily chores
• Coping with feelings of sadness or anxiety
• Getting around or climbing stairs

Though not a complete list, some common examples of a reasonable accommodation are: a wheelchair provided on arrival; ASL interpretation or tactile interpretation; a quiet space if loud spaces are overwhelming; and verbal or physical guidance to navigate the vaccination site.

You can request a reasonable accommodation when you schedule your vaccination, either through the City's online appointment scheduler or by calling 855-491-2667. You can also ask for a reasonable accommodation from staff at a City-run vaccination site, or email hubaccess@health.nyc.gov for more information.

You can also sign up for an in-home vaccination online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

For more information, see:

• NYC Health Department's Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Vaccinations (PDF)

Additional Resources