COVID-19 Vaccines

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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended for Everyone Ages 6 Months and Older

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. 

  • An updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages six months and older.
    • If your last COVID-19 shot was a Pfizer or Moderna dose before September 12, 2023, then you are not considered up to date. (This includes the original monovalent and the 2022-2023 “bivalent” vaccines.) If your last COVID-19 shot was a Novavax dose before October 3, 2023, you are also not considered up to date.
  • Age 65 or older? CDC recommends people ages 65 and older receive a second updated dose four+ months after your first updated dose. This can help restore protection that has waned since your last fall dose.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive additional doses of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine 2+ months after your last recommended COVID-19 vaccine dose. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. 

COVID-19 Vaccines Available at No Cost for Everyone

  • If you have private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid/HUSKY Health: Under federal law, health insurance plans are required to cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to you through providers within your insurer's network. If there are no vaccinators in your network who offer the vaccine, insurers are required to cover the service out-of-network without cost sharing.
  • If you do not have any health insurance: Free COVID-19 vaccines are available at select locations if you do not have any health insurance or if your policy doesn’t cover the full cost of vaccination. The vaccine is available at no cost regardless of immigration status. Scroll down for vaccine locations participating in the CDC Bridge Access Program for adults and the Vaccines for Children Program.

Where to Go for COVID-19 Vaccines

Local Pharmacies

Visit Vaccines.gov to search for providers near your ZIP Code, then call or visit their website for hours and appointments. Or text your five-digit ZIP code to 438-829 (for English) or 822-862 (en español) to receive two provider suggestions via text message.

Most local Stamford pharmacies, such as Slavins-Hancock, Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, and ShopRite offer updated COVID-19 vaccines.  Check with your health insurance to verify which locations are in-network so you won’t have any out of pocket cost.

Your Healthcare Provider

Stamford Health, Community Health Center (CHC), Family Centers, Optimus Health Care, and some local primary care doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices offer COVID-19 vaccination for their established or newly-established patients. Contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment.

If You Do Not Have Health Insurance

CVS and Walgreens pharmacies participate in the CDC Bridge Access Program. If you are an adult age 18+ and do not have any health insurance or your policy does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs, you are eligible to receive free updated COVID-19 vaccines through December 31, 2024. There is no enrollment process and you do not need proof of U.S. citizenship.

The City of Stamford Department of Health and Human Services Health Clinic at 137 Henry Street also offers free COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured adults (ages 18+) who live in Stamford and to children (ages 6 months - age 17) who live in Connecticut. Call 203-977-5385 to schedule an appointment.

Sites Outside Stamford

To find other COVID-19 Vaccine providers outside of Stamford, visit Vaccines.gov to search by ZIP code. Use the “Bridge Access Program Participant” checkbox on the third screen (after you search by ZIP code) to find providers offering free vaccines to adults without health insurance.

 

Common Vaccine Questions & Answers

Why has the COVID-19 vaccine been updated? How is the updated 2023-2024 vaccine different from the original and bivalent versions?

The COVID-19 virus evolves over time and forms new variants. Vaccines are updated to more closely target the more-recent strains causing infections and hospitalizations. An updated dose could also restore protection against severe COVID-19 that may have decreased over time. 

The 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines focus on XBB.1.5, a newer subvariant of Omicron. The original COVID-19 vaccine targeted the initial virus, and the 2022-2023 vaccines targeted both the original virus and the early Omicron variant.

If I had a previous COVID-19 vaccine, should I still get an updated dose?

YES. An updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore protection and provide enhanced protection against the variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations here in the United States.

If your last COVID-19 shot was a Pfizer or Moderna dose before September 12, 2023, then you are not considered up to date. If your last COVID-19 shot was a Novavax dose before October 3, 2023, you are also not considered up to date.

If I previously had COVID-19, should I still get an updated vaccine?

YES. You should get an updated vaccine, even if you were infected with COVID-19 in the past, in order to provide added protection against COVID-19.

If you very recently had COVID-19, you may consider waiting three months to get your updated vaccine. However, your personal risk of severe disease or the risk of disease in a loved one or close contact may be reasons to get your updated vaccine sooner rather than later.

What is the difference between Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax?

Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax each offer updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines. There is no preferential recommendation for the use of any one COVID-19 vaccine over another when more than one licensed or authorized, recommended, and age-appropriate vaccine is available.  

Pfizer and Moderna are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine. Learn more about how these vaccines work here.

Can I get my flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?

YES. Getting a flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit is recommended if you are eligible and the timing for each vaccine is right. You can get your shots in the same arm at least one inch apart, or you can get them in different arms. If you prefer to go on two different days, there is no recommended waiting time between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine.

I’m pregnant/breastfeeding, should I get an updated COVID-19 vaccine?

YES. An updated shot is recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can help protect both you and your baby, younger than six months old, from severe illness. If you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider. 

What else can I do to help prevent getting COVID-19?

  • Practice good hygiene -- cover your coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitize your hands often, and clean frequently touched surfaces 

  • Take steps for cleaner air 

  • Wear a mask 

  • Physical distancing -- avoid being near someone who has respiratory virus symptoms, and avoid crowded areas 

 

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Last updated:3/5/24