Vaccine & Vaccination FAQ

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The 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine

Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death. It is especially important to get your 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you are ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.

The New COVID-19 Vaccine

The FDA has recently approved updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines for the upcoming respiratory illness season (approximately September 2024–May 2025). The vaccines are expected to be available in September, with pharmacies acting as the primary provider of the vaccine. Both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines offer renewed protection against the current variants of the COVID-19 virus, which keeps evolving to challenge our immune systems. (FDA press release, August 22, 2024)

Staying Up To Date

Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is important because:

  • Protection from the COVID-19 vaccine decreases with time.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are updated to give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains.

Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is especially important if you:

Keep in mind, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19.

When Are You Up to Date?

  • Ages 12 years and older are up to date when they have received one dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine by either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • Children ages 5-11 years are up to date when they have received one dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine by either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • Children ages 6 months-4 years, please check specifics on the CDC website.

Where to Get Vaccinated

Get Vaccinated at a Local Pharmacy

(Pharmacies in Tompkins County. Availability subject to change. Links verified 9/12/24.)

Appointment availability, vaccine brand, dose, and eligibility vary by pharmacy and are subject to change without notice. It is important to check with your local pharmacy before you make plans. Call your pharmacy to ask if they accept walk-ins, or just ask when you are shopping there.

Individuals under age 18 must have a signed consent form and be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Doctors, Pediatricians, Health Care Practitioners

  • Pediatric offices: Pfizer pediatric vaccine is available for any individual ages 6mos+. Please call the individual practice for details.
  • REACH Medical, 607-273-7000
  • Many family practices and health care practitioners have COVID-19 vaccine available. Please call your regular provider for information.

Get Updates

Get local updates from Tompkins County Whole Health regarding COVID-19 and vaccine distribution in our community

If you have questions about eligibility or about registration, please dial 2-1-1 (877-211-8667)

Flu Vaccine

Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu shot to be immunized against influenza now. Visit your local pharmacy or your health care practitioner today.

About the Vaccines

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines have gone through the same rigorous review that all vaccines must follow in the U.S. In New York, the State’s independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force also approved these COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective. While the vaccine is in use, the FDA and the CDC are constantly monitoring for new side effects.

Do the vaccines work?

Yes. All of the vaccines currently available in the US protect people against severe disease, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19, based both on clinical trials and real-world experience and observation. No vaccines are 100% effective, so some fully vaccinated individuals will still get sick. However, data collected on these "breakthrough cases" suggest that symptoms are milder for these individuals. The vaccines can also reduce the spread of COVID-19, protecting others.

Could a vaccine infect me with COVID-19?

No. None of the vaccines authorized or under review for use in the U.S. are made with the live virus that causes a COVID-19 infection or would make you sick.

About Getting Vaccinated

Will getting vaccinated prevent me from getting sick with COVID-19?

No. There is still a chance of getting the disease. However, you risk of severe disease, hospitalization, or death is much lower when you are up to date with your vaccinations.

Will the vaccine cause a positive test on future COVID-19 viral tests?

No. Authorized vaccines will not cause a positive on any of the tests used to detect a current infection.

Can I infect others even after I’m vaccinated?

Yes. If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 you should take precautions around others until you are certain that you're not infected (about 5 days after exposure). If you are sick with COVID-19 you should isolate from others even if you are up-to-date with your vaccination.

Should I get the vaccine if I already had a coronavirus infection?

Yes. The science shows that the vaccine provides better and longer-lasting protection than the defenses your body builds up when you were infected.

Can I get a flu shot at the same time I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. There is no required interval of time between receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine, such as the flu shot (you may want to consider getting one in each arm rather than both in the same arm). The Health Department recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. Most local pharmacies provide flu vaccines, or contact your primary care provider. Find more info about seasonal influenza.

Resources

New York State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

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