Quick Links:
Who should get vaccinated?
Are the vaccines safe for adults?
Are the vaccines safe for children?
What about antiviral drugs?
Will the vaccines protect people from the newer strains (variants) of the virus?
If a person is vaccinated, can they still get COVID?
If a person has already had and recovered from COVID, do they still need to get vaccinated?
Will we need to get vaccinated every year?
What does it cost to get vaccinated?
Where can I get vaccinated?
Where can I be tested for COVID 19?
Do we have to continue health measures after being vaccinated?
Are we required to get the vaccine?
When might we expect to go “back to normal”?
COVID Vaccine - Frequently Asked Questions
Who should get a vaccination for COVID?
As of August 2024, the CDC is recommending updated vaccines for all who are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. CDC recommends that people receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. Vaccination is especially important for people at highest risk of severe COVID-19, including people ages 65 years and older; people with underlying medical conditions, including those who are immune compromised; people living in long-term care facilities; and pregnant people to protect themselves and their infants.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for people who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future, and people who are breastfeeding. A growing body of evidence on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination indicates that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Maternal vaccination has also been shown to be safe and effective, and protects infants younger than age 6 months from severe COVID-19 and hospitalization.
Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech The 2024–2025 formulas for COVID-19 vaccines has been approved and authorized in the United States has been updated to a monovalent vaccine based on the newest variants (Omicron JN.1-lineage of SARS-CoV-2, KP.2).
First time vaccination dosage:
- Ages 6 months–4 years
- 2 doses of 2024–2025 Moderna or 3 doses of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
- Ages 5 years and older
- 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna or 1 dose of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Dosage for those who have received previous COVID vaccines:
- Ages 6 months–4 years
- 1 or 2 doses of 2024–2025 mRNA vaccine from the same manufacturer as administered for initial vaccination, depending on the vaccine and the number of prior doses
- Ages 5 years and older
- 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna or 1 dose of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Additional doses: People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised ages 6 months and older may receive 1 or more age-appropriate additional doses of a 2024–2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. An additional dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 65 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised is NOT currently recommended.
Novavax COVID-19 FDA authorized Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 2024 – 2025 Formula under Emergency Use Authorization on August 30, 2024. Vaccine 2024-2025 formula is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older as follows:
- Individuals who have never been vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine: one dose of the Novavax 2023-2024 formula at least 2 months after receipt of the last previous dose of an original monovalent or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals who have been vaccinated only with one dose of any Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted: one dose of the Novavax 2024-2025 formula is administered at least 3 weeks after receipt of the previous dose.
- Individuals who have been vaccinated with a prior formula of a COVID-19 vaccine from another manufacturer or with two or more doses of a prior formula of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted: one dose of 2024-2025 formula at least 2 months after the last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Immunocompromised individuals: an additional dose of the Novavax 2024-2025 formula may be administered at least 2 months following the last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025 Formula). Additional doses of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 2024-2025 formula may be administered at the discretion of the healthcare provider, taking into consideration the individual’s clinical circumstances. The timing of the additional doses may be based on the individual’s clinical circumstances.
Are the vaccines safe for adults?
Yes. Both the updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have full FDA approval for those 6 months and older, and the updated Novavax vaccine has FDA emergency authorization for those 12 years and older. The original vaccines were administered to millions of people, including young children. Post release monitoring is in place and so far has only demonstrated a few severe allergic reactions, all of which were treated successfully. These allergic reactions are very rare and similar to reactions that can happen with other vaccines, medications, or some foods. Mild systemic side effects include tiredness, body aches, and headaches, most of which last only 1-2 days and are treated with rest or over the counter medications.
The vaccines:
- do not alter your DNA
- do not cause infertility
- do not cause you to contract COVID
- are safe to co-administer with the flu vaccine
Are the vaccines safe for children?
Medical and public health experts, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children and adolescents age 6 months and older get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to help protect them from contracting and spreading the virus. Staying up to date on vaccines are the best way to protect children from becoming severely ill or having long-lasting health impacts due to COVID-19. COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. While children and adolescents are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19, it is still possible.
Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 commendations:
Initial vaccination (for children who have not received prior COVID vaccinations)
- Children 6 months through 4 years - 2 doses of 2024–2025 Moderna or 3 doses of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
- Children 5 years and older - 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna or 1 dose of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Received previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (for children who have been previously vaccinated against COVID)
- Children 6 months through 4 years - 1 or 2 doses of 2024–2025 mRNA vaccine from the same manufacturer as administered for initial vaccination, depending on the vaccine and the number of prior doses
- Children 5 years and older - 1 dose of 2024–2025 Moderna or 1 dose of 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech
Novavax COVID-19 2024 – 2025 vaccine has FDA Emergency Use Authorization (August 30, 2024). The Novavax 2024-2025 vaccine formula is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older
Immunocompromised Children: Parents/caregivers should consult their child’s healthcare provider for dosing recommendations.
Which vaccine is better?
Both the updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective and approved by the FDA. Both vaccines effectively prevent the severe disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. FDA has also given emergency authorization to the Novavax vaccine, which has also proved to be safe and effective.
What about antiviral drugs?
Vaccination is the best line of defense against COVID-19. While antiviral drugs and other treatments are an important advancement, they are not 100% effective in reducing risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19, and they are no substitute for getting vaccinated. Getting COVID-19 still causes serious health impacts for some people, especially those who are not vaccinated. Preventing serious infection by staying up to date on vaccinations and taking other precautions, like masking and distancing — particularly if your COVID-19 community level is high — are the best ways to protect your health.
However, taking an antiviral drug can lessen the severity and duration of COVID if taken early. Paxlovid, an oral antiviral pill that can be taken at home, is the go-to treatment for COVID-19. If you are at high risk for severe disease from COVID, and you take it within the first five days of experiencing symptoms, it will lower your risk of getting so sick that you need to be hospitalized. Paxlovid was granted full approval in May 2023 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID in adults at high risk for severe disease, including hospitalization and death. The drug had an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death in unvaccinated people in the clinical trial, a number that was high enough to prompt the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to prioritize it over other COVID treatments. More about Paxlovid.
Medicare patients who are prescribed Paxlovid to continue to receive the medication at no cost through February 28, 2025, using the current U.S. Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) workflow already in place. Medicare patients will continue to have two ways to access this medication: a 100% rebate program for plans that have entered into an agreement with Pfizer (determined at the pharmacy counter) or through direct enrollment in the USG PAP. The rebate option will close at the end of February. Beginning March 1, 2025, Medicare patients who are under-insured may be eligible to receive no cost Paxlovid through the USG PAP if they have a high co-pay for Paxlovid and cannot afford the medication based on income. Medicare beneficiaries who do not have prescription coverage and cannot afford the medication may also qualify for Paxlovid under the USG PAP as uninsured.
Starting January 1, 2025, patients who are covered under Medicaid, Tricare, or Veterans Affairs Community Care Network should consult their plan for coverage. If individuals under those plans are facing high co-pays and cannot afford the medication, they may be eligible for no cost Paxlovid through enrollment in the USG PAP.
Will the vaccines protect people from the newer strains (variants) of the virus?
The coronavirus continues to spread and mutate. Overall, studies show that the updated vaccine is effective against the variants currently causing the majority of COVID cases in the U.S.
If a person is vaccinated, can they still get COVID?
Because no vaccine is 100% effective, some people will get COVID-19. These vaccine breakthrough cases are expected. However, vaccinated persons are likely to:
- Spend fewer sick days in bed
- Be less likely to have fever or chills
- May be less likely to spread the virus to others
If a person has already had and recovered from COVID, do they still need to get vaccinated?
If you’ve recently had COVID, it’s still important to stay up to date with your vaccines. According to the CDC, you can wait three months since your symptoms began or, for asymptomatic cases, since you first tested positive. There’s also some evidence to support waiting as long as six months after a COVID infection to receive an updated COVID vaccine. Waiting longer than the CDC’s guidance of three months is not recommended for high-risk groups, but it’s something people can discuss with their doctor.
Will we need to get vaccinated every year?
Just like the flu vaccine, an annual COVID vaccine is likely and especially important for those:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
What about "long COVID"? Long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome is an array of symptoms that present four to eight weeks after acute illness has passed. Long COVID can affect both adults and children. The condition is thought to affect as many as 30 percent of patients and can include a continuation of symptoms suffered during the acute phase — shortness of breath or fatigue, for example — along with new symptoms that occur after patients feel like they’ve recovered: chest discomfort, severe pain, dizziness, vomiting, brain fog. Even people who did not have any symptoms can experience long COVID, which can present as different types and combinations of health problems and can range in lengths of time. More Q & A about long COVID.
Vaccination may reduce the risk of long COVID in two ways. The first is by reducing the risk of becoming infected with COVID in the first place. A recent study also shows that fully vaccinated people who experience breakthrough infections are about 50% less likely to develop long COVID than people who are infected without having been vaccinated.
What does it cost to get vaccinated?
The updated COVID vaccine is free for most Americans through private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Private insurance companies are mandated to cover the COVID vaccine with no copay. However, insurers are no longer required to pay for “out-of-network”. Vaccines for Children cover all kid’s vaccines, not just Covid-19, for those that cannot pay. The Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) provides updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults and children who are uninsured or underinsured and children with Medicaid.
Where can I get vaccinated?
For vaccination sites closest to you, check vaccines.gov. This free resource provides accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services in your area. You can also text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you in the U.S. For those on private insurance plans, the vaccines are generally available by appointment or walk-in, at HyVee, WalMart, Sam's Club, Costco, and CVS pharmacies. Vaccines may also be are available at Rely Care pharmacies with appointment. Nebraskans can visit any available pharmacy regardless of jurisdiction. Outside Lancaster County, vaccines may be available through your local health department.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) will provide updated COVID-19 vaccine solely to adults and children who are uninsured or underinsured, and children with Medicaid by appointment only. Call 402-441-8065 to schedule a date and time.
Where can I be tested for COVID 19?
As of January 2025, households can still receive 4 free rapid tests through USPS. This may change. Order here: COVIDtests.gov. In Lincoln, at home tests remain available in the main lobby of the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department during regular business hours. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations.
Private insurance providers will no longer be required to provide free COVID tests (over the counter or laboratory). Availability of testing sites changes, so call first to verify:
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Autumn Ridge Family Medicine, 5000 North 26th St. and Southwest Family Health, 1240 Aries Drive. Call either site to schedule an appointment: Autumn Ridge, 402-435-5300 and South West Family, 402-420-1300.
- Testing is also available without an appointment at the three Bryan Urgent Care locations, 7501 S. 27th St., 5901 N. 27th St. and 4333 S. 86th St. To check wait times, call 402-481-6343.
- Several pharmacies including CVS, HyVee and Walgreens along with other health care provider offices and urgent care clinics also offer testing. If a person is uninsured or underinsured, they can call the COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 and the health department will connect them to testing resources.
- While supplies last, you may also be able to get free test kits through your local health department.
Do we have to continue health measures like wearing masks, social distancing, hand sanitizing, and avoiding crowded and confined spaces after being vaccinated?
Wearing masks is advised in certain circumstances. If you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, you can enjoy the outdoors without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart except in crowded areas. Because of the highly transmissible omicron variant, vaccinated people in counties with substantial or high transmission of the infection should still wear masks in confined spaces, crowded outdoor or indoor spaces, and where masks and distancing are required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, including local business and workplace guidance. Healthy people people who are up to date on vaccinations are still protected against severe disease, hospitalization and death. Proper fitting KF94, N95, and KN95 masks continue to be a highly effective tool to prevent COVID-19 spread.
Are we required to get the vaccine?
No, but it is our best chance at returning to our lives by keeping ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and our economy safe and healthy. However, employers may require employees to get vaccinated, similar to how many healthcare facilities may require their employees to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B or Influenza.
When might we expect to go “back to normal”?
Like influenza, some form of COVID will probably always be with us. While COVID-19 continues to be a serious threat to public health, we have the tools to help us stay healthy. Vaccination, well-fitting masks, and testing all work to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our best defense against COVID is staying up to date on COVID vaccinations.
