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.

Vaccine and Booster Recommendations 

(As of 1-10-22)

Adults (ages 18 and older)

• 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.

• Adults should receive a COVID-19 booster shot after their primary vaccine series if it’s been at least:
  
  • Five months since your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine
  • Six months since your second dose of the Moderna vaccine
  • Two months since your first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Teens (ages 12 to 17)

• 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.

Children (ages 5 to 11)

• 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.

Young Children (Under age 5)

• Young children cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination at this time.

People Who are Immunocompromised

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Where to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

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
• By appointment through our Harrington Hospital vaccination center

Learn More About COVID-19 Vaccines

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

How To Get Your Vaccine Record

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.