ASIAN HEALTH SERVICES

COVID VACCINE INFO

Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Reference Guide:

As of 09/12/2023, CDC recommends the 2023-2024 updated Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for administration.

Recommendations for individuals who have previously been vaccinated with COVID-19:

6 months – 4 years: Children who received vaccines prior to September 12, 2023 should get one or two doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the vaccine manufacturer and the number of doses they have previously received.

12 years and older: Individuals who received vaccines prior to September 12,2023 should get 1 dose of either the updated Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

Recommendations for individuals who are not vaccinated with COVID-19:

6 months – 4 years: Children who are unvaccinated should get two or three doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine of the same manufacturer.

12 years and older: Individuals who are unvaccinated should get either:

  • 1 updated Pfizer or updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, OR
  • 2 doses of updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

Recommendation for individuals who may get additional updated COVID-19
vaccines:

Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccines, with an interval of at least 4 weeks in between doses. Please consult your healthcare provider for more information.

Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals include those:

  • Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Active, long-term treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Overseas vaccines

Those who completed non-US vaccines that have received W.H.O. EUA can receive 1 dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 8 weeks from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose, which includes those who received:

  • AstraZeneca
  • Covishield (India manufactured AstraZeneca)
  • BIBP/Sinopharm (Beijing)
  • Sinovac LS/CoronoVac
  • Bharat Biotech (COVAXIN)

Here is the list of WHO (World Health Organization) approved vaccines as of 8/8/2023: 
https://extranet.who.int/prequal/sites/default/files/document_files/Status_COVID_VAX_08AUgust2023.pdf

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 676 million doses have been given in the United States and bad reactions are extremely rare. Benefits of 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.

It is recommended for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, those trying to get pregnant, and those who might become pregnant in the future to get vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine. Please consult your healthcare provider for more information.

It is highly recommended for individuals who have weakened immune systems to get vaccinated. Please discuss this with your doctor first if you still have concerns.

No, if you previously received Moderna, you can switch to Pfizer, and vice versa. However, this doesn’t apply to children aged six months to four years, who must receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine from the same manufacturer as their initial COVID-19 doses.

Yes, with the consideration of Mpox vaccine, all age-appropriate doses of vaccines are able to be administered at the same time for everyone who doesn’t have existing contraindications at the time of administration.

Yes, COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time as Mpox vaccines, although adolescent and young adult males (aged 10-39) may consider waiting 4 weeks between vaccines.

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 bivalent vaccine is 80% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection in children. This means less hospital visits for COVID-19 infections.

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.

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.

Location Information:

416 Vaccine Clinic: 416 8th St., Oakland, CA 94607

Clinton Park 655 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606 (Corner of 6th and 12th St)

KCCEB: 99 Callan Ave, San Leandro CA 94577

To look for other vaccine clinics closer to you, visit myturn.ca.gov

View the Children Ages 5-11 FAQs in another language

View the 12 and older FAQs in Another Language

Eligibility Chart

Pfizer
Moderna
J&J
Time Eligibility
6 months from 2nd dose
6 months from 2nd dose
2 months from 2nd dose
Eligible Groups
All adults age 16 and older who received their 2nd shot at least 6 months ago
All adults age 16 and older who received their 2nd shot at least 6 months ago
-All adults age 18 and older who got 1st shot
Underlying Medical Conditions *
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
  • Dementia or other neurological conditions
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Down syndrome
  • Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
  • HIV infection
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
  • Liver disease
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoking, current or former
  • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
  • Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
  • Substance use disorders
Occupational/ Institutional Setting **
  • First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
  • Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
  • Food and agriculture workers
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Corrections workers
  • US. Postal Service work
  • Public transit workers
  • Grocery store workers