COVID-19 Information

It’s not too late. Boost or Vaccinate.

Watch the videos below to meet Direct Support Professionals, a Special Olympics athlete, healthcare professionals, and other friends and family members and learn why they choose to get the vaccine. It’s not too late. Vaccines and boosters are still available!

Protect yourself and your community. Get vaccinated.

COVID-19 Booster Shot FAQs

Pfizer: Adults 12 years & older; Modern and Johnson & Johnson: Adults 18 years & older.

At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 Pfizer or Maderna vaccination series. At least 2 months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are preferred in most situations. Teens 12-17 years old may only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine/booster near you, click here.  When you access the above site and enter your zip code, it will provide details regarding what is available in your area. An appointment is not always necessary. There are many walk-up and drive-through clinics in many areas.

Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record/card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.

You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.

Click here to use V-safe to tell CDC about any side effects. If you enter your booster shot in your V-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins.

Pain, redness or swelling may occur on the arm where the shot was administered. Tiredness, nausea, muscle pain, headache, chills, and fever are other possible side effects.

For quick reference, download this easy to read tip sheet. Download Now

Are you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

Vaccination Myths and Facts

Hesitating to get the COVID-19 vaccination? We understand. This list of common Myths and Facts can help you decide when, or if, to be vaccinated.

Myths

The Covid-19 vaccine was rushed being made and is not safe.

I can get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered then I do not need to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Covid-19 vaccine can alter my DNA.

The Covid-19 vaccine can make me infertile.

Medicaid will not provide transportation to the vaccine clinic.

Facts

The FDA and an independent panel of vaccine experts deemed the vaccines safe and effective.

COVID-19 vaccines do NOT contain the live virus, which means you cannot contract COVID from the vaccine.

Experts don’t  know how long you’re protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

There is currently no evidence of pregnancy or  fertility problems as a side effect of the vaccine.

Medicaid will provide transportation to Covid-19 vaccine clinics. Contact your Care Manager for help.

Additional Resources

Get your free at-home COVID-19 tests! Place one order per household. Each order contains 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Orders will ship free starting in late January.

VaxFacts DDNY engages and educate families, self-advocates, and members with science-based information on COVID-19.

Members of the I/DD community share their experiences and tell us why they got vaccinated.