Everyone 6 months and older should get the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine. This new vaccine protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and current variants.

The new, updated Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax (for ages 12 and older) COVID-19 vaccines are the only brands of the updated COVID-19 vaccine currently available in the US. It doesn’t matter which brand you choose. Older Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are no longer available.

You should get the updated vaccine, even if you’ve already received:

• Any original COVID-19 vaccines
• The older bivalent booster that targeted earlier Omicron subvariants

The number of doses you need depends on your age and if you’re at risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

If you recently had COVID-19, talk to your health care provider about when you should get your next vaccine.

People 5 Years or Older

Everyone 5 years and older should get one dose of the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine. You can get the new vaccine two months after your last dose.

If you are 65 or older, you may get a second dose of the updated vaccine 4 or more months after your first dose. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about the number of doses you need.

Children Younger Than 5

Children 6 months to 4 years old need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Young children get the same vaccine as for adults, but at a lower dose.

The number of doses needed for this age group depends on the child’s vaccination history.

• If the child has never received the COVID-19 vaccine, follow this schedule:
  • Updated Pfizer Vaccine
    • Doses: 3
    • Schedule: Second dose given at least 21 days after the first, and the third dose given at least 56 days after the second.
  • Updated Moderna Vaccine
    • Doses: 2 (if immunocompromised, the child should get three doses)
    • Schedule: Second dose given at least 28 days after the first
• If the child has already received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your child’s health care provider. The child should get at least one dose of the new, updated Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, but the total number of doses they need depends on the vaccine and how many doses they’ve previously received.

People with a Weakened Immune System

If you have a weakened immune system, you should get more than one dose of the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine. You can get additional doses as long as they are given at least two months apart.

If you have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, you should get three vaccine doses as part of your initial series. Then, you can also get additional doses at least 2 months after the last one.

Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about how many vaccine doses you should get. 

All people aged 6 months and older, regardless of residency or immigration status, are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in NYC. 

You can get the vaccine for free at some sites. Other sites may charge a copay or other fee. Check with the site or provider before you go.

Vaccine Finder can help you find vaccination sites, mobile buses, and pop-ups near you that:

• Accept walk-ups
• Offer or require appointments
• Are accessible for people with disabilities (check to confirm site-specific availability)
• Provide a specific vaccine type

Disability and Language Access

Each City-run vaccination site has:

• An accessible entrance and exit, restroom, and pathway to the vaccination area
• Video translation services for more than 240 languages, including American Sign Language
• A Disability Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Coordinator to help you during your visit

Most sites will not require you to complete any paper documentation during your visit. If it is required, the DAFN Coordinator can help you complete it.

You may bring a companion, personal care attendant, personal care aide, family member, or other person to help you during your appointment. This can include someone who can interpret for you.

You may also bring a service animal or mobility device such as a wheelchair or walker.

If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Disability Access page.

Homebound

The City no longer offers in-home vaccination for COVID-19. Talk to your doctor if you are homebound and need a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can schedule transportation to your vaccine appointment if you are 65 or older and:

• Cannot use public transportation,
• Cannot use private transportation, and
• Cannot rely on friends or family members for transport.

You must already have a vaccine appointment before scheduling transportation. However, you do not need an appointment for City-run vaccination sites.

If you are between the ages of 60 and 64, visit the Transportation for Seniors page instead for other transportation options.

Access-a-Ride

If you already use Access-a-Ride, you can schedule transportation to your appointment as you normally would.

COVID-19 vaccination is optional.

The City doesn't require you to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter or work at businesses, workplaces, schools, child care, government offices, and other facilities in NYC. However, businesses and workplaces can still require staff and customers to be vaccinated if they choose.

Call your health care provider if: 

• You have side effects that concern you
• Redness or soreness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
• Side effects don’t go away after a few days

You can also report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS is managed by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration. 

You can make a report online or by phone. Your information will be kept confidential.

Online

Report side effects to VAERS.

By Phone