Introduction

Adults (ages 18 and older)

Teens (ages 12 to 17)

Children (ages 5 to 11)

Young Children (Under age 5)

People Who are Immunocompromised

Where to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Learn More About COVID-19 Vaccines

How To Get Your Vaccine Record

All currently approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and reduce your risk of severe illness. Vaccination can reduce the spread of disease, which helps protect those who get vaccinated and the people around them.

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(As of 6-19-22)

• Adults should receive two doses of either the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to complete their primary vaccine series.

• Booster shots have been shown to increase circulating antibodies against the virus and greatly reduce the likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization. While boosted individuals can still contract the virus, illness is much milder. UMass Memorial Health leadership strongly recommends all healthcare workers receive the booster.

• Adults should receive an initial COVID-19 booster shot after their primary vaccine series if it’s been at least:
  
  • Five months since your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
  • Two months since your first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For those who received the J&J vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you receive a booster with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
• The federal government has approved a second a second booster vaccination for those who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for adults 50 and over and those will immune compromise, 4 months or longer after your first booster vaccination. This is in response to concerns regarding the new BA.2 Omicron variant which is sweeping across the globe and is more contagious than the original Omicron variant.

• People who are already vaccinated and boosted have good protection, but the concern is for those whose’ immune system is weaker. A second booster increases circulating antibody levels. This second booster is recommended, not required, and the decision is up to each individual. Discussing with your health care provider may aid in your decision.

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• Teens should receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine to complete their primary vaccine series.
• Teens should receive a Pfizer booster shot when it has been at least five months since their primary vaccine series.

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• Children should receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine  to complete their primary vaccine series.
• Children should receive a Pfizer booster shot once it has been at least five months since their primary vaccine series.

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• Young children should receive either:
  • Three doses of the Pfizer vaccine (children under age 5) to complete their primary vaccine series. The first two first two are given three weeks apart and the third is given eight weeks after the second shot.  OR
  • Two doses of the Moderna vaccine (children under age 6), delivered four weeks apart, to complete their primary vaccine series.

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• Adults (ages 18 and older) who are immunocompromised should receive an additional primary dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after completing their primary vaccine series. They can also receive a booster shot three months after receiving the third primary dose.
• Teens (ages 12 and older) who are immunocompromised should receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 28 days after completing their primary vaccine series. They can also receive a booster shot three months after receiving the third primary dose.
• Children (ages 5 to 11) who are immunocompromised should receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 28 days after completing their primary vaccine series.

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For the most accurate information about where to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit the Massachusetts Vaxfinder website.

UMass Memorial Health is currently offering COVID-19 vaccines on a limited basis to our hospital inpatients. We are also providing COVID-19 vaccines to the community:

• On a walk-in basis at our Worcester Stop the Spread COVID-19 testing and vaccination site

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Accurate information is critical to helping people learn about the vaccines and to stopping common vaccine myths and rumors.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease. 

The CDC is an important source of information and has a variety of helpful webpages with current and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including:

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 Vaccination
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 Vaccination in Children
• Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
• Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
• More Information about COVID-19 Vaccines

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Having a digital record of your COVID-19 vaccination status is becoming more important. Many businesses, such as restaurants and movie theaters, are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to keep customers and staff safe from the virus. 

You can easily access your vaccination record through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ My Vax Records website or UMass Memorial’s MyChart patient portal. 

Both options enable you to have an official digital record showing you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. You can print your proof-of-vaccination card or store it on your smartphone. 

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