COVID-19 vaccine in Boston
The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool to keep ourselves and our communities safe. Along with wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent handwashing, the vaccine will help us end the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has unfairly affected Boston's Black, Latinx, immigrant and other communities of color. Systemic racism, including in healthcare and vaccine development, also contributes to concerns and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. We're committed to making information available in multiple languages, through multiple methods, and on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to help our residents make informed decisions.
Please note:- Information is still evolving around the vaccine. We will provide updates as new and relevant information becomes available.
- Community health centers are working to notify patients who qualify. They will reach out to you when doses are available if you are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Have questions? Contact:
Boston Public Health CommissionIf you are a medical professional and want to volunteer to administer the vaccine, please visit the Boston Medical Reserve Corps website. You can also email volunteer@bphc.org for more information.
Your responses to our COVID-19 vaccine survey will help us make decisions that are informed by the community:
Map of vaccine sites in Boston
List of Boston vaccine sites
List of sites| Location | Vaccine information | Days of Operation |
|---|---|---|
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Codman Square CHC 637 Washington Street, Dorchester MA 02124 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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Daniel Driscoll Neponset Health Center - Harbor Health Services 398 Neponset Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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Dot House CHC 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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First Parish - Beth Israel Lahey Hospital 10 Parish Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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Geiger Gibson Community Health - Harbor Health Services 250 Mt Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
|
Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center 4199 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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Mattapan Community Health Center 1575 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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Upham's Corner Community Health Center 415 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
|
Old North Church - NEW Health 193 Salem Street, North End, MA 02113 |
For existing patients in eligible priority groups and North End, Waterfront, and Charlestown residents who are 75 and older. You must be a registered patient of Mass General Brigham Hospital. If not registered, call 866-211-6588 to register for a vaccine appointment. You can call 617-724-8725 to leave a message and a patient services staff will call back to schedule an appointment |
Tuesdays and Thursdays (2-6 p.m.) Saturday (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) |
|
Charlestown - NEW Health 15 Tufts Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 |
For existing patients in eligible priority groups and North End, Waterfront, and Charlestown residents who are 75 and older. You must be a registered patient of Mass General Brigham Hospital. If not registered, call 866-211-6588 to register for the vaccine. You can call 857-238-1141 to leave a message and a patient services staff will call back to schedule an appointment. |
Varies |
|
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center 632 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02121 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
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South End Community Health Center 1601 Washington Street, South End, MA 02118 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
|
Temple Israel - Beth Israel Lahey Hospital 477 Longwood Avenue, Fenway, MA 02215 |
For existing patients only in eligible priority groups. | Varies |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of Operation |
|---|---|---|
|
Boston Medical Center 85 East Concord Street, South End, MA 02118 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Boston Medical Center appointment. | Varies |
|
The Dimock Center 55 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All Boston residents from can get the vaccine. Please call 617-442-8800 (x2025) to schedule your appointment. Spanish-speaking operators are available. |
Varies |
|
Dorchester COVID-19 Vaccination Site Russell Auditorium, 70 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester MA 02124
|
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Dorchester appointment. | Monday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (vaccination site) 120 Liverpool Street, East Boston, MA 02128 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. An appointment is required. Call 617-568-4870. | Testing varies |
|
Florian Hall — Harbor Health 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester MA 02122 |
The vaccine is available to:
Please call 1-888-503-0766. There's help with appointments in Spanish, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. Check the Harbor Health website for more information. |
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
|
Hyde Park Vaccination Site Menino YMCA, 1137 River Street, Hyde Park MA 02136 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Hyde Park appointment. | Monday through Friday: 7 -11 a.m. and 5 - 9 p.m. |
|
Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 2115 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Eligible residents can either pre-register online or call the state's vaccine hotline by calling 211. | Sunday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
|
Mattapan COVID-19 Vaccination Site Morning Star Baptist Church, 1257 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan MA 02126
|
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Mattapan appointment. |
Monday and Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
|
Reggie Lewis Center 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury MA 02120 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Reggie Lewis Center appointment. |
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
|
Roslindale COVID-19 Vaccination Site @ St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church 39 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Check the Boston Medical Center website. | Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
|
Roxubry COVID-19 Vaccination Site at Twelfth Baptist Church 160 Warren St. |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Check the Boston Medical Center website. | Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Shapiro Building at Boston Medical Center 725 Albany Street Boston, MA 02118 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Check the Boston Medical Center website. | |
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South Boston CHC 409 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 |
For existing patients only AND eligible priority groups: |
Monday through Saturday |
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The Strand Theater - Upham's Corner Health Center 543 Columbia Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
For all Boston residents. Call 617-287-8000 or visit the Upham's Corner Health Center website. |
Varies |
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Tufts Medical Center at Courtyard by Marriot 279 Tremont Street, Back Bay, MA 02116 |
For all Boston residents. Visit the Tufts website to schedule an appointment. Do not call Tufts MC or Courtyard by Marriot | Varies |
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Whittier Street Health Center 278 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury MA 02119 |
For all Boston residents. Call 617-858-2550 to book an appointment. Visit the Whittier Street website for more information. | Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
|
Whittier Street Health Center 1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Call 617-858-2444 to book an appointment. Visit the Whittier Street website for more information. |
Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of Operation |
|---|---|---|
|
Ismaili Jamatkhana 1089 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Walk-ins now welcome! Please call 617-858-2550 for more information. |
Monday May 17, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
|
Church of Pentecost 395 Faneuil Street, Brighton, MA 02135 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Walk-ins now welcome! Please call 617-858-2550 for more information. |
Tuesday May 18, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
|
Haitian Americans United/Nazarene Church 130 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Walk-ins now welcome! Please call 617-858-2550 for more information. |
Wednesday May 19, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
|
Paulette K. Ford Community Center 85 Lenox Street, Boston, MA 02118 |
All Boston residents from can get the vaccine. Walk-ins now welcome! Please call 617-858-2550 for more information |
Friday May 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
|
Full Life Gospel Center 183 Norfolk Street, Boston, MA 02124 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Walk-ins now welcome! Please call 617-858-2550 for more information. |
Friday May 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of Operation |
|---|---|---|
|
Walgreens (Warren Street) 416 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. |
Daily |
|
Walgreens (Columbus Avenue) 1890 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. |
Daily |
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CVS (Border Street) 210 Border Street, East Boston, MA 02128 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Harrison Avenue) 874 Harrison Avenue, South End, MA 02118 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Hyde Park Avenue) 942 Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park, MA 02136 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Saratoga Street) 1150 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA 02128 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Dorchester Avenue) 1100 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. |
Daily |
|
CVS (Dudley Street) 788 Dudley Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
Galaxy Pharmacy 543 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA 02127 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. | Daily |
|
CVS (West Broadway) 423 West Broadway, South Broadway, MA 02127 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
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Vinh's Brothers Pharmacy 1365-1377 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. |
Daily |
|
Walgreens (East Broadway) 710 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
|
Whittier Health Pharmacy II (Blue Hill Avenue) 278 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Learn more here. | Daily |
|
CVS (Morrissey Boulevard) 715 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Washington Street) 1603 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02118 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Washington Street) 2275 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02118 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. |
Daily |
|
CVS (Seaport Boulevard) 85 Seaport Boulevard, South Boston, MA 02110 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Atlantic Avenue) 700 Atlantic Avenue, South End, MA 02111 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Washington Street) 585 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. |
Daily |
|
CVS (Washington Street) 631 Washington Street, Chinatown, MA 02111 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
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Walgreens (Columbus Avenue) 1890 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (800 Boylston Street) 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (587 Boylston Street) 587 Boylston Street, Back Bay, MA 02115 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Massachusetts Avenue) 231 Massachusetts Avenue Street, Back Bay, MA 02115 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Gallivan Boulevard) 703 Gallivan Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02124 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
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Walgreens (Boylston Street) 841 Boylston Street, Back Bay, MA 02116 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment. | Daily |
|
CVS (Newbury Street) 240 Newbury Street, Back Bay, MA 02116 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Washington Street) 333 Washington Street, Beacon Hill, MA 02108 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
|
Walgreens (School Street) 24 School Street, Beacon Hill, MA 02108 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreen. |
Daily |
|
CVS (Center Plaza) 2 Center Plaza, Back Bay, MA 02108 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Tremont Street) 1630 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
|
CVS (Boylston Street) 1249 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Cambridge Street) 191-193 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Charles Street) 155-157 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
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Community Care Pharmacy Inc 2100 Dorchester Avenue, Boston, MA 02124 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Learn more here. | Daily |
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CVS (Canal Street) 101 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
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CVS (Longwood Avenue) 350 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Center Street) 467 Center Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
|
Walgreens (Morton Street) 825 Morton Street, Boston, MA 02126 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
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CVS (Dorchester Avenue) 2235 Dorchester Street, Boston, MA 02124 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
|
CVS (Center Street) 704 Center Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome. Schedule an appointment at CVS. |
Daily |
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Walgreens (River Street) 90 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
|
Walgreens (Central Square) 1 Central Square, Boston, MA 02128 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at Walgreens. | Daily |
|
CVS (Border Street) 210 Border Street, East Boston, MA 02128 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Walk-ins welcome! Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Daily |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of operation |
|---|---|---|
|
Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center 150 S Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 |
Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. |
Varies |
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West Roxbury VA Medical Center 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132 |
Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. |
Varies |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of operation |
|---|---|---|
|
The Strand Theater - Upham's Corner Health Center 543 Columbia Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Please call 617-282-8000 or visit Upham's Corner Health Center to schedule your appointment. Walk-ins welcome. |
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
|
Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 2115 |
Walk-ins now welcome! All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Eligible residents can either pre-register online or call the state's vaccine hotline by calling 211. |
Sunday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
|
Reggie Lewis Center 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury MA 02120 |
Walk-ins now welcome! All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Schedule a Reggie Lewis Center appointment. |
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
Vaccine Equity Grant
We're providing funding to nonprofits working to increase vaccine access and awareness for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Update: The deadline to apply has been extended to Wednesday, April 14, at 5 p.m.
Help for seniors
Eligible seniors who qualify for the vaccine and who need help with online registration should call 3-1-1 for help. Ask to be connected to the Age Strong Commission for vaccine registration assistance. Eligible Massachusetts residents can also call 2-1-1 if they need help for registration.
Senior residences and Long-Term Care facilities in Boston are partnered with the Federal Pharmacy Partnership program to provide vaccines to their residents. If residents or their family members have questions about vaccinations at these sites, please contact the facility management directly.
Common questions
Questions?Dozens of vaccines are now in development, and several are moving toward final development. Vaccines from two vaccine makers, Pfizer and Moderna, were approved in December 2020. The Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine was approved in February 2021.
When can I get the vaccine?Vaccines have been available in Massachusetts since December 2020. The State of Massachusetts COVID-19 Advisory Group agreed that first doses would go to those at highest risk for contracting COVID-19 and also prioritized those at high risk of poor outcomes if they get COVID19. The state has a COVID-19 vaccination distribution timeline. To find out when you may be eligible to get vaccinated, go to the state's website.
Will residents be required to get the vaccine?We don’t know of any current plans to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory, and the Biden administration has said that it does not plan to make the vaccine mandatory throughout the U.S.
Once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, where can I go to get it?Appointments can be scheduled online. To find vaccine sites in
Boston, go check the map and list on this page.
The vaccine is being provided free of charge to all individuals by the federal government. If you have insurance, it will be billed at no cost to you. However, you do not need to be insured to receive the vaccine.
The first available COVID-19 vaccines work by triggering the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies protect us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
Does the vaccine keep me from getting COVID-19?Clinical trial data has shown COVID-19 vaccines are very effective (up to 95 percent) in preventing COVID-19, particularly preventing the most severe cases of this virus. In addition to receiving the vaccine, it is also important to keep wearing a mask and social distancing because:
- Not everyone will get the vaccine at once.
- Although it is not likely, it is still possible to get COVID-19 after getting the vaccine, as no vaccine is 100 percent effective.
- We’re currently not sure yet how long the vaccine will protect you from COVID-19.
People are considered to be fully vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or 2 weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Once fully vaccinated there are things you can do.
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
It is important to keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a face covering, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
If I had COVID-19 already, do I need to get vaccinated?COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to those who have had COVID-19. You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine while you are having symptoms or if you are still in your isolation period.
Vaccines go through more testing than any other pharmaceuticals. And the manufacturing is to ensure that every dose must consistently be of high quality. Extensive testing in clinical trials is conducted to prove safety. During these trials, the vaccine is given to tens of thousands of people and tested for effectiveness and safety. The information from these trials is reviewed by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to approve the vaccine and makes recommendations for use.
Of the thousands of people who participated in the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, Moderna reported 20 percent participants were Hispanic/Latinx and 9.7 percent were Black. While Pfizer reported 26.2 percent were Hispanic/Latinx and 9.8 percent were Black. Clinical trials for the J&J/Janssen vaccine included 45.3% Hispanic/Latinx and 19.4% Black.
Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine or spread COVID-19 from the vaccine?No, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine or spread COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t actually contain the virus that causes COVID-19, which means the vaccine itself won’t cause you to get or spread COVID-19.
What are potential side effects of the vaccine?Some people are reporting mild side effects, which are signs the immune system is working. Soreness and/or redness at the injection site is the most common reaction. Reported side effects also include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Pain in joints
For some people, these side effects were worse after the second dose.
Side effects from a vaccine usually go away on their own within a few days. Over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen manage most side effects after the vaccine.
However, it is recommended that you avoid taking these medications right before getting your vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, you will be instructed on how to manage these symptoms.
There have been no serious safety concerns, including deaths, noted in anyone who has received these vaccines.
Should I get the vaccine if I have allergies?It’s recommended that if you’ve had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, you should not get it. But overall, having allergies doesn’t exclude you from getting the vaccine. If you have had an immediate allergic reaction — even if it was not severe — to a vaccine or injectable therapy for another disease, ask your healthcare provider if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Everyone who gets the vaccine will be watched for 15 minutes after the injection to make sure they do not have any signs of an allergic reaction. People who have severe allergies to other vaccines or injectable medications will be watched for 30 minutes.
Can children and infants get the COVID vaccine?The Pfizer vaccine is approved for ages 16 years and older, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine are approved for ages 18 years and older. Some of the manufacturers have begun clinical trials on kids ages 12 and older, but no vaccine for children under the age of 16 has been approved yet. It will still be a couple of months to get through those trials and then get approval to administer to children.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding? Does the vaccine affect fertility?Studies are ongoing regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women and there is no data yet. We do know that it does not enter the cells of the developing baby. In addition, we know that pregnant women who develop COVID-19 have an increased risk of severe illness and may have an increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes like pre-term labor. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should discuss the risks and benefits of her healthcare provider to help them make an informed decision.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. The vaccine is recommended even if you are planning to get pregnant soon.
Have there been complications found or warnings issued for those who’ve already taken the flu vaccine?We are not aware that any warnings have been issued. But we are monitoring closely and will communicate further information that becomes available as necessary.
What do we really know about potential long-term effects?Long-term effects are monitored for all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines. The effects documented to date are short-term and typical of many vaccines.
What about the new strain out of Europe? What do we know about it being in the US?In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant has emerged with an unusually large number of mutations. This variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. Currently, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. This variant was first detected in September 2020 and it has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States and Canada.
CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC is working to detect and characterize emerging viral variants and expand its ability to look for COVID-19 and new variants. At this time, the same strategies to prevent the original COVID-19 strain will also prevent the new strain. This includes mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. Most experts believe that the COVID-19 vaccine will still be effective in preventing the new variant.
Will a booster dose be needed?The need for and timing of booster doses for COVID-19 vaccines have not been established. No additional doses beyond the two-dose primary series are recommended at this time.
Will the mRNA vaccines stay in my body or enter my DNA?COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Messenger RNA vaccines - also called mRNA vaccines - teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response that make antibodies which protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.
My health condition isn’t addressed here. How do I know if the vaccine is safe for me?If you have concerns about taking the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider.
I received the first dose of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine, do I need to get the second dose?Both the vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and from Moderna require two doses. You should get the second dose as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses for either vaccine. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.
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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts.
How to make your vaccination appointment and get ready for it.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines that meet the FDA's rigorous scientific standards.