COVID-19 vaccinations
Sunday, August 22, 2021
NYC Vaccine for All. Everyone 12 years and older is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are widely available now in NYC and are free. Pfizer is the approved vaccine for people under 18 years of age. Johnson & Johnson is a one-shot vaccine.
Third dose. People who are immunocompromised and got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, should get a third vaccine at least four weeks after the second dose. New York City Health Department guidance www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-third-dose.pdf.
Booster shots are likely to be approved after September 20, 2021 for people who got Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Booster shots should be taken at least 8 months after the second dose. CDC statement about booster shots: cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0818-covid-19-booster-shots.html.
Useful links
The NYC Vaccine Finder site tells you everywhere in NYC that vaccinations are available and the type of vaccination offered; you can also filter by zip code and walk-up vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. Book an appointment directly from this site.
NYC COVID-19 vaccines page www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page
NYC vaccine command center www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/covid-19-vaccines.page
NYC’s Facebook page facebook.com/groups/204675344701435. Also has a form to ask for help getting a vaccination appointment.
Vaccinations in your home
All New Yorkers are now eligible for at-home vaccination, and you can choose which vaccine to get. Those interested can call 877-VAX-4NYC or sign up online at forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home.
Useful telephone numbers
Eligible people can call 877-VAX4NYC (1-877-829-4692) 8am - 9pm
New Yorkers who want the vaccine may make appointments by phone at 1-833-697-4829.
Seniors who need travel assistance to get to their appointments can request help when they are making their appointments.
CDC's Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
3/8/2021 People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).
Eligibility
NYC Vaccine eligibility & distribution www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility.page
NYS "Am I eligible?" app to check eligibility and make an appointment am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov
To make an appointment
Call or schedule an appointment online via websites created by the state, the city or the city’s public health system..
Eligible people can call 877-VAX4NYC to schedule an appointment.
Other phone numbers: 1-833-697-4829 or 1-877-829-4692 or
The NYC Vaccine Finder site tells you everywhere in NYC that vaccinations are available and the type of vaccination offered vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. You can book an appointment from this site.
Neighborhood pharmacies that are offering vaccinations are CVS, Walgreens/Duane Reade and RiteAid. HealthSource Pharmacy on 34th Street (between Lexington & Park Avenue) is also offering vaccinations.
RiteAid is offering groups the ability to get vaccinated through the RiteAid clinic program. If your office, school, kids sports team, club, or organization has at least 25 members, Rite Aid pharmacists can set up a vaccine clinic to come to you. Learn more at riteaid.com/covid-19/community-clinics.
Walgreens walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19
CVS cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
RiteAid riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier
Walk-up vaccinations (no appointment necessary, on a first come first served basis) Starting April 23, 2021 ALL New Yorkers can now get their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at city-run and state vaccination sites across the city. To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or on.nyc.gov/walkupvax or call 877-829-4692. Walk-in site near Murray Hill: Ford Foundation Community Health Center/Clinic, 321 E 42nd Street, Manhattan, 10017, (Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm).
Getting to an appointment
The city offers free transportation to and from vaccine sites for adults who are over age 65 or have an ambulatory, visual, intellectual, or developmental disability. To reserve transportation, including ambulette and cab options, call 877-VAX-4-NYC.
NYC Vaccine for All to Offer Transportation for NYC Seniors www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/035-21/vaccine-all-city-offer-transportation-nyc-seniors. Seniors age 65 or older who are unable to make their own arrangements and need transportation to and from a COVID-19 vaccination appointment can sign up for transportation throughout the City. Older New Yorkers age 65 and over who make an appointment for vaccine at a City-operated site will be asked whether they have a way to get to and from their appointment. If they require transportation, they will be screened and directed to transportation options, including Access-a-Ride, ambulette services, cab service via Curb and in a few weeks, transportation by select Senior Center programs.
NYC vaccination locations
www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccine-locations.page
New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form
The vaccination location will ask you to complete a form after you make an appointment for a vaccination forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine. You’ll receive a submission ID by email. Bring the submission ID to your appointment.
Get help
New York City Council Member Keith Powers will help with your vaccination questions and issues. They are also recruiting volunteers. The District Office telephone number is 212-818-0580. You can fill out a form with your question or issue at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnQlciItigagrC9wKzA9ykd0ykcu4F90Oyj6FKEhPnUUb4LQ/viewform.
State Senator Brad Hoylman's COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Help Center provides help for people in his district. Fill out this form docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfno8CzNdx-rWDU_6osfnw-pZ0b556UZ1WVj4-xmyh_u_oPcA/viewform. You can also telephone 212-633-8052 or email hoylman@nysenate.gov.
Councilwoman Carlina Rivera's office (Council District 2) can help you schedule an appointment for a vaccination. Call 212-677-1077 for help. Email District2@council.nyc.gov.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's office can help with making an appointment for a vaccination for eligible Manhattanites (in-home or otherwise), contact Junior Martinez in the MBP's office at 212-531-1609 or email juniormartinez@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.
Official app to show your vaccination and test results
Excelsior Pass & Excelsior Pass Plus
Your CDC card, which you received when you were vaccinated, and the Excelsior Pass are ways to prove that you have been vaccinated.
The Excelsior Pass is a free and voluntary platform for businesses and individuals that can be used to show secure proof of a recent negative COVID test or vaccination. There are currently three different types of passes: COVID-19 Vaccination Pass, COVID-19 PCR Test Pass and COVID-19 Antigen Test Pass. To retrieve a Pass, visit the Excelsior Pass website at epass.ny.gov. You will need to provide some basic personal information, including your first and last name, date of birth and zip code. You'll also need to verify your identity with three "challenge questions" whose answers are unique to you. Because we do not save or store your personal information, you will need to enter this information every time you retrieve a new pass. Once you’ve retrieved your Pass, you can print it, save a screenshot, or save it in the Excelsior Pass Wallet mobile app for easy access later. The Excelsior Pass Wallet app is available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Learn more and download the pass at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass. The COVID-19 Vaccination Pass is currently valid for 30 days after the Pass is retrieved. After the pass expires, you can retrieve a new pass from the Excelsior Pass website at epass.ny.gov.
If you are having difficulty obtaining an Excelsior Pass it could be an error with your vaccination records or a technical difficulty. To correct errors in your vaccine records call the NYC Health Department Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) at 347-396-2400, or send an email to cir@health.nyc.gov to ask for assistance. The CIR website is www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/cir-parents-guardians.page. For assistance with technical issues: call Excelsior Pass Technical Support at 844-699-7277. You can also request assistance online at on.ny.gov/epass-help.
NYC COVID SAFE app
Available on Android (Google Play) and iOS devices (Apple store). This app optionally holds a photo of your vaccination card, official ID card and last test results.
Vaccine scams
FTC Issues Consumer Tips for Avoiding COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
Be on the lookout for vaccination scams. ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-issues-consumer-tips-avoiding-covid-19-vaccine-scams
General information
NY State vaccine information covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov
NY State vaccine distribution plan with eligibility phases covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine
NY State FAQ covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions.
CDC COVID-19 vaccines page cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html
The vaccine supply chain
The Federal Government is purchasing and distributing the vaccines to the states. The Federal government has also taken responsibility for on-site vaccinations of residents and staff in long-term care facilities, and is partnering with pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid and Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/long-term-care/pharmacy-partnerships.html
States and the federal government will be responsible for distributing the supplies of the vaccine to local governments. New York State will also assist with administering the vaccines.
Local governments will administer the vaccines, according to CDC and State guidelines and priorties.
Agencies with medical capabilities will also administer vaccinations, such as the Teachers Union in NYC, the VA, the FDNY, NYPD, etc.
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories, and 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination across the United States. The program will expand to ultimately include all 40,000+ pharmacies.
Other resources for vaccination information
NYC Council Member Keith Powers' vaccine page council.nyc.gov/keith-powers/vaccine-faqs.
NYC vaccination plan www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vax-plan-executive-summary.pdf
Mayor de Blasio announced on 12/31/20 that New York City will prioritize neighborhoods that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
NYC vaccinations by zip code www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-vaccines.page
New York State Vaccine dashboard provides vaccination information covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker
Vaccine choices
Fauci Rejects Possible Vaccine Arbitrage Between Three Choices
February 28, 2021, bloomberg.com, by Michael Riley and Ros Krasny
Anthony Fauci pushed back against any tendency to shop around or wait for a preferred coronavirus vaccine among the three that are now approved for use in the U.S...Fauci said on ABC. “The only way you really know the difference between vaccines is by comparing them head to head.” [Editor's note: The advice is to take any vaccine that is available.]
CDC's Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
3/8/2021 People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).
FAQ and articles
FDA adds warning about rare heart inflammation to Pfizer, Moderna COVID shots
June 25, 2021, reuters.com
Heart reaction probed as possible rare vaccine link in teens
June 4, 2021, apnews.com, by Lindsey Tanner and Lauran Neergaard
Health authorities are trying to determine whether heart inflammation that can occur along with many types of infections could also be a rare side effect in teens and young adults after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. An article on seven U.S. teen boys in several states, published online Friday in Pediatrics, is among the latest reports of heart inflammation discovered after COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven....The boys, aged 14 to 19, received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days. Heart imaging tests showed a type of heart muscle inflammation called myocarditis. None were critically ill. All were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital...more follow-up is needed to determine how the seven fare but that it’s likely the heart changes were temporary.
(5/26/2021 the pause on J&J has been lifted) 4/13/2021 Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently on pause.
What to Do If You Received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
The risk of developing a blood clot is very low and that risk will decrease over time. Contact your healthcare provider and seek medical treatment urgently if you develop any of the following symptoms: severe headache, backache, new neurologic symptoms, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae), or new or easy bruising.
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance] Recommendation to Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, April 16, 2021]
Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
March16, 2021, cdc.gov
Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for any pain and discomfort you may experience after getting vaccinated. You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally. It is not recommended you take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.
How long will my vaccine protection last?
Source: Bloomberg Prognosis, April 4, 2021
Lana Dbeibo, an infectious disease expert at Indiana University School of Medicine, said it is possible that we might need booster vaccines as we do for flu shots. “But whether this will indeed be the case for Covid, and if so, what the length of time is between the initial vaccination and the booster doses, is not yet known,” she says.
Two-dose shots should be from the same brand
Dr. Julian Watkins of the NYC Dept. of Health clarified questions about getting vaccinated. He said that the two-dose shots should be from the same brand (no mixing and matching Pfizer and Moderna); to wait two weeks after any other immunization before getting vaccinated for COVID; to wait until after quarantine to get vaccinated if exposed to COVID; and that any former COVID patients should wait three months after monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatments before getting vaccinated. [Source: Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's Coronavirus update email of April 1, 2021]
CDC's Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
3/8/2021 People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).
Can You Catch the Coronavirus After Getting Vaccinated?
April 5, 2021, aarp.org. by Michelle Crouch, AARP
Odds are low, but some fully vaccinated people have been infected with the coronavirus...if you do get infected after your vaccination, your case is likely to be asymptomatic or mild, like a common cold.
[Editor’s note: This happened at my mother’s senior residence. A resident tested positive after being fully vaccinated. She was asymptomatic. She has to quarantine until she has 2 consecutive negative covid tests. The lesson here is that we need to continue to take precautions until the community rate of infection declines.]