#covid-19 vaccine
Why Covid-19 vaccine boosters may be more important than ever
“Case rates are currently highest in the Northeast region of the US, where booster uptake is best. Nearly half of Vermont’s population is fully vaccinated and boosted, along with more than 40% of the population in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to CDC data.”
Ready for your COVID19 booster shot? Your booster can be any of the three authorized or approved vaccines.
If you received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, the science most strongly supports getting a third dose of the same vaccine type.
If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, all three vaccines are fine as a booster. Limited data shows that a Moderna or Pfizer booster shot could result in higher antibody levels than a Johnson & Johnson booster shoot.
If you’re not sure which one you should get, speak with your doctor or clinical staff at a vaccine site.
Learn more about booster shots, including how to find one near you.
As we get together with friends and family this holiday season, it’s likely your loved ones will have questions about the COVID19 vaccines. Use these tips to listen respectfully, share your story and give people space to make decisions:
✅ Respect each person’s right to decide whether to get vaccinated.
✅ Avoid arguments, expressing judgment or telling people they should get vaccinated.
✅ Pause to give people space to share their concerns.
✅ Discuss both the science and their personal concerns.
✅ Invite people to talk again if they are not ready to get vaccinated.
Our latest data show unvaccinated New Yorkers have a risk of death from COVID19 that is 8 times that of vaccinated people.
Protect yourself from hospitalization, long-term health problems and death: Get vaccinated today!
To view all of our COVID-19 data, including vaccine data, visit on.nyc.gov/covid19data.
Pregnant people have a 70% higher risk of death from COVID-19. People who are pregnant, recently pregnant or who may become pregnant in the future are urged to get vaccinated.
Research has also found that getting COVID-19 during pregnancy makes it more likely that the baby will be born preterm (before 37 weeks) or require time in an intensive care unit after birth, according to the CDC.
All three COVID-19 vaccines can be given to people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You can also be vaccinated in any setting, such as City-run vaccination sites, pharmacies or your doctor’s office.
You do not need to take a pregnancy test before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. You also do not need to get permission from your doctor to be vaccinated.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) or visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
Ourlatest data show that the case rate among unvaccinated New Yorkers is increasing, while the case rate for vaccinated New Yorkers is decreasing.
Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines are protecting against infection and illness. Since mid-January, the vast majority of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in NYC are occurring in unvaccinated people.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines or to find a vaccination site near you.
Is there a difference between a booster shot and a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes! A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine for people who built protection from vaccination, but whose protection may have decreased over time. Booster shots are currently only available for people who have received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago.
A third dose is recommended for people who have a condition or are taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weakens their immune system. Third doses are currently available for people who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
The following groups who received the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago are eligible for a booster shot:
✅People 65 or older
✅People 18 to 64 who live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
✅People 18 to 64 who have an underlying medical condition that increases their risk for severe COVID-19
✅People 18 to 64 who are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their job (for example, health care workers) or where they live or frequently visit (for example, a homeless shelter)
People who are 12 years of age or older, have a condition or are taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weakens their immune system, and received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a third dose. Conditions and treatments may include:
✅Active treatment for cancer
✅Received an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy
✅Received a stem cell transplant within the past two years
✅Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
✅Advanced or untreated HIV
✅Active treatment with a high dose of corticosteroids or other drugs that moderately or severely weaken your immune system
To learn more or to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
We monitor reported COVID-19 cases to determine if infections and illness are occurring among people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, also known as vaccine breakthroughs.
Based on this, we know that the COVID-19 vaccines are particularly effective at preventing severe disease. From June 27, 2021 through August 21, 2021, people who were unvaccinated were 7.5 to 10.3 times more likely to be hospitalized than people who were fully vaccinated.
We also know that:
COVID-19 transmission is high in NYC, likely driven by the dominant and highly contagious delta variant.
Unvaccinated people are more likely to get COVID-19. The crude case rate for unvaccinated people has been 2.2 to 3.1 times the rate for fully vaccinated people.
Additionally, between January 17 and August 17, people who are unvaccinated in NYC accounted for:
96.1% of all COVID-19 cases
96.9% of COVID-19 hospitalizations
97.3% of COVID-19 deaths
With the rapid spread of the delta variant of the virus, it has never been more important to get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and your community from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death.
All New Yorkers ages 12 and older are eligible for vaccination. Everyone can get vaccinated for no cost and you do not need health insurance.
COVID-19 vaccines are available to people of all immigration statuses. You will not be asked about your immigration status at the vaccination site.
Visitvaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a vaccine near you.
One-on-one with Dr. Anthony Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks with NBC News’ Lester Holt about the effectiveness of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, how it compares to others, and the highly-contagious variants detected in the U.S. Click here for the full interview.
