Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines

The CDC currently recommends that most people 18 and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and that parents of children 6 months to 17 years old talk to their pediatrician about the benefits of the shot for their child. COVID-19 vaccines are updated regularly to protect against the variants that are in circulation.

Currently, updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax.

The updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are mRNA vaccines (similar to their prior COVID-19 vaccines) that use tiny parts called messenger RNA (mRNA) carried in very tiny lipid particles. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines differ in the way the mRNA is built or the way the lipids are used. The updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The updated Novavax COVID-19 is available for everyone 12 and older. The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, which injects a small piece of the COVID-19 virus to stimulate your immune system. Your body then produces antibodies so it can better fight off the virus if you become infected in the future.

While the updated vaccine is not technically considered a booster, it may be referred to as a booster in media reports and elsewhere. However, we foresee the COVID vaccine becoming an annual vaccine, just like the flu vaccine.

All of the available COVID vaccines have shown similar efficacy in studies.

For adults, Moderna and Pfizer are a single dose.

For children 5 years old and younger, Moderna is a two-dose series and Pfizer is a three-dose series. For children 12 to 17 years old, Novavax is a single dose for children who have previously received the COVID vaccine.

For moderately or severely immunocompromised adults, additional doses may be recommended, and people who fall into these categories should discuss COVID-19 dosing with their primary care provider.

The updated COVID vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are fully FDA-approved for everyone 12 and older. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines remain under Emergency Use Authorization for children 6 months to 11 years old.

Yes, please let your care team know if you get an updated dose of the vaccine, so we have an accurate report of your vaccination status in your health records.

Yes, it is safe to get the updated COVID vaccine when pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and other pregnancy experts recommend COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and lactating people.

Vaccination during pregnancy may help transfer protective antibodies to the baby through the placenta and breastmilk. These antibodies may lower the chance of the baby getting COVID-19 infection.

If you are pregnant, we recommend discussing all vaccines with your primary care provider and obstetrician.

We think that having COVID-19 may protect you from getting it again, but we are unsure for how long, especially as the virus changes and new variants circulate. Some people have had COVID more than once.

It is recommended that people who have had COVID still get the updated vaccine to prevent against additional infection and short- and long-term effects of infection.

The length of time that the updated vaccine’s protection lasts is being researched and likely will also depend on how the virus changes in the future. Additional updated vaccines may be recommended in future years as our immunity wanes over time and new strains of the virus circulate.

The updated Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID vaccines are available at retail pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS. Some Penn Medicine primary care practices and specialty practices also have the updated Moderna COVID vaccine available for their patients.

Yes. Prior COVID vaccination is not an eligibility requirement.

Yes. The vaccine is available for children at certain family medicine practices.

• Children 5 years old and older are eligible to receive a dose of the updated vaccine at least two months from the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Children 6 months to 4 years old who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of an updated COVID-19 vaccine depending on timing and number of doses they received before.
• Unvaccinated children between 6 months to 4 years old are eligible to receive three doses of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or two doses of the updated Moderna vaccine.

We encourage parents to take advantage of vaccine information and availability through their local pharmacy, their child’s pediatrician, and other community vaccination events, as well.

Select ambulatory Penn Medicine locations will administer the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

No. There is not a required observation period after you are vaccinated.

In general, it’s recommended to wait at least three months after a COVID-19 infection before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine dose. Timing decisions may vary for people who are severely immunocompromised or have other medical issues, and in these instances, a discussion with your doctor is recommended.

People 5 years and older should wait at least two months after receiving their last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine before getting the updated COVID vaccine.

Yes, and we recommend that you get them in different arms.

Currently, most experts recommend two weeks’ separation between receiving the flu and COVID vaccines and the RSV vaccine, which is recommended for people 60 or older and certain immunocompromised individuals. At this time, there are no data—and therefore no formal guidelines—around ideal timing for getting both of these vaccines. 

The Pfizer RSV vaccine will be offered through certain Penn Medicine practices, and both the Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline RSV vaccines will be available at retail pharmacies for all eligible adults. 

No, the COVID vaccine cards are no longer being provided and rarely requested. You can take a photo or download a copy of your vaccine record from your MyChart by myPennMedicine account.