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1. Where can I get a vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are now available to anyone 6 months and older that wants a vaccine. Vaccines are being given by Public Health, hospitals, health care providers, clinics, and pharmacies in the community. 

Vaccines and boosters are available at the New Hanover County Pandemic Operations Center located at 1507 Greenfield Street in Wilmington, NC.  Vaccines and boosters are available Monday to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm with extended hours until 6 pm on Thursdays.  

More Information

CDC - What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

2. Can children receive the vaccine?

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA and CDC for children 6 months to 17 years. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA and CDC for individuals 12 years and older.  In studies, these COVID-19 vaccines reduced the rate of COVID-19 infection and provided strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization. Parents can learn more at NCDHHS.gov. Parental consent is required for children ages 6 months to 15 years old prior to receiving the vaccine

Pfizer

6 months to 4 years: approved as a 3 doses series 1/10th of the size of an adult dose. Second dose is given 3 weeks after the first and the third dose is given at least 8 weeks after the second, the third dose given is an updated bivalent vaccine formula. Clinical trials included 4500 children and side effects were minimal with some of the most common being pain at injection site, irritability, low fever, and fatigue. FDA Fact Sheet

Ages 5 to 11: a smaller 2-dose series for children ages 5 to 11 is given 3 weeks apart, and clinical trials with more than 3,000 children found the vaccines work and are safe. The side effects are similar to adults: a sore arm, headache, and being tired or achy for a day or two. FDA Fact Sheet

Ages 12 and older: The standard size Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is approved for anyone ages 12 and up, and has shown very high levels of effectiveness. FDA Fact Sheet

Moderna

6 months to 5 years: approved as a 2-dose series 1/4th the size of an adult dose. Second dose is given 28 days after the first. Clinical trial included 6300 children and side effects were minimal with some of the most common being pain at injection site, irritability, low fever, and fatigue. FDA Fact Sheet

Ages 6 to 11: a smaller 2-dose series is approved for children 6 to 11 years of age given 28 days apart. FDA Fact Sheet

Ages 12 and older: the standard size Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is approved for anyone 12 and up. FDA Fact Sheet

Novavax

Ages 12 and older:  the standard size Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is approved for anyone 12 and up.  FDA Fact Sheet

More Information

• FDA
  • FDA Authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Down to 6 Months of Age
  • FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 5 through 11 Years of Age
  • FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents
• CDC
  • CDC Recommends Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Adolescents
  • CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children
  • CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years
  • CDC Director Statement on Pfizer's Use of COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Age 12 and Older
  • CDC Recommends Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents
• NCDHHS
  • Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months to Under 5 Years Will Be Available June 20
  • NC State Health Director's Statewide Standing Order for FDA Authorized mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Administration

3. Where can I get more information about COVID-19 vaccines?

It's important to follow trusted sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, some of those include:

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vaccine Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
• Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Information
• Mayo Clinic - COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked

More Information about the approved vaccines:

CDC - Different COVID-19 Vaccines

FDA - Pfizer Vaccine Information

FDA - Moderna Vaccine Information

FDA - Janssen Vaccine Information

FDA - Novavax Vaccine Information

4. Why should I get the vaccine?

The vaccine will protect you from getting COVID-19, help prevent severe illness and the spread of the virus in our community, and save lives.

There is no way to know how your body will fight COVID-19 or the impact the illness could have if spread to members of your family, to friends, or other close contacts. The vaccine will help your body build protection from COVID-19, without having to experience the virus itself or risk spreading the illness to others.

More Information

CDC - Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

5. What are the side effects from the vaccine?

While side effects can occur after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, just like with any other vaccine you receive, they are typically minor and short-lived. Adverse events from the vaccine are extremely rare, and some people experience no side effects at all.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists common side effects of the vaccine, including pain, redness and swelling at the injection site along with tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea.

After the second vaccine dose, side effects can sometimes be more intense than with the first, according to the CDC, but they are normal signs that your body is building protection against the virus and should go away within a few days. While COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects, they cannot and do not give you COVID-19.

The CDC encourages people to contact their doctor if side effects do not go away after a few days.

6. How do I know the vaccine is safe?

Every vaccine goes through extensive clinical trials and monitoring to identify effectiveness, potential side effects, or safety concerns before it is approved for public use, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different.

The COVID-19 vaccine is designed like many other vaccines to teach your body to fight infection. Sometimes, this can cause a spike in fever or other symptoms that signal your body is building immunity. Some recipients have reported effects of the immune response the vaccine triggers, like soreness at the injection site or fatigue.

Any potential side effects are required by law to be reported by the drug manufacturer. So far, none of the approved vaccines have reported any significant safety concerns in their trials.

The CDC also has an app called "V-Safe" that allows users to report any side effects experienced after receiving the vaccine.

Monitoring of potential side effects will be on-going as the vaccine is distributed, with mandatory reporting of any adverse effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD).

More Information

• CDC - COVID-19 Vaccine Safety information
• FDA - Vaccine Development 101

7. Will the vaccine give me COVID-19? Or make me sick?

No. The COVID-19 vaccine is designed like many other vaccines to teach your body to fight infection. Sometimes, this can cause a spike in fever or other symptoms that signal your body is building immunity. Some recipients have reported effects of the immune response the vaccine triggers, like soreness at the injection site or fatigue. Any side effects from the vaccine will be reported, as required by law.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

8. If I get the vaccine, am I immune to COVID-19?

Not quite. Getting your vaccine will build your immunity, which can lower your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Your vaccine will also greatly reduce your risk of developing serious illness or death related to COVID-19.

Your greatest level of immunity will be once you are considered fully vaccinated, which is 14 days after receiving your second dose of either the Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), or Novavax vaccine, or 14 days after receiving the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

To keep your immunity level high, stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.  You are eligible for an updated bivalent COVID-19 booster 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or any previous booster.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
• CDC - Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines Work

9. What will the vaccine cost?

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster is free and accessible to everyone. Health insurance is not required.

10. If I’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, can I still get the vaccine?

Yes, and you should. Even if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, there is no current understanding of how long natural immunity, gained from exposure to the virus, will last from person to person. Re-infection is still possible, so everyone is encouraged to get the vaccine and booster to protect themselves from severe illness.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
• CDC - Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines Work

11. Can I get the vaccine if I have COVID or have had another vaccine recently?

Yes. The CDC has advised that you can receive your COVID-19 vaccine even if you have received another vaccine recently. You can even receive other necessary vaccines on the same day you receive your COVID-19 vaccine, like for the flu or other diseases.

People who are actively sick with COVID-19 should wait until they have recovered and can no longer spread the virus before getting their vaccine. This guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 between their first and second dose of a two-dose vaccine. For two-dose vaccines, the second dose can be given up to 6 weeks after the first dose and still be very effective, so do not worry if you have to reschedule your appointment for a later date. Once you have recovered, it is safe to get vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine if you have been infected in the past.

If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

12. What is a booster dose?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended updated bivalent COVID-19 booster shots to provide continued protection for those who have been fully vaccinated. Boosters strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. See below for a COVID-19 booster eligibility guide.

Eligibility for a Pfizer Booster

• 5 years or older and it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 shot, either the last dose in your initial series or an previous booster shot. 

Eligibility for a Moderna Booster

• 6 years or older and it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 shot, either the last dose in your initial series or an previous booster shot. 
• 6 months to 5 years and it has been at least two months since completing the initial Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series.

Eligibility for a Novavax Booster

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended a monovalent Novavax COVID-19 booster in certain cases.
• 18 years or older and it has been at least six months since completion of a primary series COVID-19 vaccine and have not received any previous boosters. 
• Unable to receive an mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster due to medical reasons or lack of availability. 

13. Do I need to have an appointment to get a vaccine?

No, vaccines and boosters are available on a walk-in basis only during the following times at the Pandemic Operations Center:

• Monday - 9 am to 5 pm
• Tuesday - 9 am to 5 pm
• Wednesday - 9 am to 5 pm
• Thursday - 9 am to 6 pm
• Friday - 9 am to 5 pm