Anyone ages 6 months and over should get the vaccine. It is the best way to protect yourself and your family.

It offers great protection. Compared to the annual flu vaccine, it is twice as effective.

Yes, it is safe. Over 418 million doses have been given in the United States and bad reactions are extremely rare. Benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks.

After the second dose, there is a high chance of side effects similar to a flu vaccine (arm soreness, muscle aches, headache, tiredness) for a few days. This is expected and can be a good sign that your immune system is working.

If you are allergic to polyethylene glycol (Miralax), you should not get the current COVID vaccine.

If you develop immediate allergic reaction (hives, wheezing) to the first COVID vaccine, you should reach out to your provider before getting the second shot.

You can get the vaccine. Please discuss this with your doctor first if you still have concerns.

The current vaccine is free. Alameda County is currently working with state and local clinics like AHS and local pharmacies to provide the vaccine to our community. To look for the vaccine clinic closest to you, visit myturn.ca.gov.

According to the CDC, the current authorized vaccines offer strong protection against new strains of the COVID-19 virus including the Delta, Omicron and BA.2 variant. The new Bivalent booster offers protection against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Omicron BA.4/ BA.5 variant.

Updated COVID-19 Bivalent boosters are the updated vaccines that protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. Both Pfizer and Moderna have developed updated COVID-19 bivalent boosters.

Yes. We strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to get the COVID-19 bivalent booster to better protect yourself from current circulating variants, and reduce the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalization, long COVID, and death.

Individuals 6 months and older, who have completed their primary series dose(s), and/or have also received booster dose(s) are eligible. You can get the bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since you’ve received your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

For individuals 6 months – 4 years looking to receive an updated Pfizer bivalent booster, please check your local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.).

Yes. Age-appropriate mix and match boosters are allowed with an exception for individuals 6 months to 4 years*. There is also no preference as to which booster to get.

Individuals 18 and older may get an updated bivalent booster from a different manufacturer than the one they received for their primary series, this applies to Pfizer and Moderna.

Individuals 5 – 17 years of age may get the updated Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine regardless of which vaccine they received for their primary series.

*However, individuals 6 months – 4 years are NOT allowed to mix boosters. They must receive an updated bivalent booster of the same manufacturer as their primary series.

For individuals 6 months – 4 years looking to receive Pfizer vaccines, please check your local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.).

Vaccination against COVID-19 can help keep children from getting seriously sick and being hospitalized even if they do get infected. This can help protect family members, such as siblings too young for vaccination and other vulnerable family members. In addition, vaccinating children can help keep them in school and safely participate in playdates, sports, and other activities essential to their well-being and development.

The vaccine for children has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adolescents and adults.  It is amount that is different, children under 12 years of age will be given a smaller dose of the vaccine, using smaller needles.

The vaccines are approved by the FDA, and are safe and effective for children. Clinical trial shows that COVID-19 vaccination helped children build protection against the virus in the same way as in adults. The vaccine is 90.7% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection in children. This means less hospital visits for COVID-19 infections.

Your child may have some side effects but they should go away in a few days.  These side effects are common and is a sign that their body is building protection. 

Possible side effects:

• On the arm where your child got the shot: Pain, redness, swelling.
• Throughout the rest of the body: Tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, nausea.
• Aspirin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents less than 18 years old.  Ask your child’s doctor for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to help with your child’s symptoms from the vaccination.

Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection compared to children without underlying medical conditions, and so it is even more recommended that children with a weakened immune system are vaccinated.

The current vaccine is free.  Alameda County is currently working with state and local clinics like Asian Health Services and local pharmacies to provide the vaccine to our community.  To look for the vaccine clinic closest to you, visit myturn.ca.gov. 

Asian Health Services has a limited number of appointments.  You can call our COVID Helpline to see if you can sign up for an appointment (510) 735-3222. 

We recommend that you don’t delay. According to the CDC, individuals transitioning between age groups is recommended to receive the vaccine product and dosage for the older age group. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your child from severe symptoms of COVID-19.