COVID-19 Vaccine

In This Section:

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Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines

On September 12, the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines that protect against the more current strains of the virus were approved and recommended for use. These new COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out to locations across Vermont over the coming weeks.

Everyone 6 months and older should get at least one dose of the new 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to stay protected against serious illness and hospitalization.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the safer way to build protection from serious illness—even for those who have already had COVID-19. The older “bivalent” COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended in the United States.

People ages 5 years and older can get one dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) if it has been at least two months since their last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses.
Children ages 6 months through 4 years may need additional doses depending on timing and previous COVID-19 vaccinations.

A 2023-2024 Novavax vaccine is currently under review for authorization and approval by FDA for ages 12 years and older.

Find more on recommended doses from CDC

Know your rights when getting free vaccines.

You do NOT need insurance to get vaccinated. You may be asked if you have insurance for reimbursement reasons, but you cannot be denied vaccination if you have no insurance. See where to get vaccinated in Vermont
You do NOT need to share a Social Security Number or driver’s license/state ID number. In Vermont, you are not required to provide that information and you cannot be turned away from getting vaccinated if you do not provide identification. If you do provide it, it will be used only for the pharmacy's reimbursement purposes.
You do NOT need to be a U.S. citizen. Everyone can receive COVID-19 services, regardless of immigration status. Information you share will not be shared with immigration services and vaccinations paid for by the federal government will not impact anyone’s current or future immigration status.

Learn more at Vermont Health Equity Initiative

Find COVID-19 Vaccines

The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out to primary care practices, pharmacies, local health offices and other locations across Vermont over the coming weeks. Please check with the location where you get your other routine vaccines when you make an appointment.

COVID-19 vaccines are still provided at no cost to you, but now the way they are paid for is more like other vaccines.

For most people, their health insurance will cover the cost of getting vaccinated.*
For people who do not have health insurance, or who have insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines (less common), the Vermont Immunization Program or the CDC’s temporary Bridge Access Program can cover the cost.

*Note: Medicaid does not cover the cost for Medicaid-insured children to get vaccinated at Vermont pharmacies.

Anyone can get vaccinated in Vermont, including those who live in another state, are non-U.S. citizens, or who have no insurance.

Find vaccine locations at Vaccines.gov

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Adults ages 18 and older with no insurance or insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines, look for vaccine locations listed as “Participating in the Bridge Access Program” to be sure there are no administrative fees for getting vaccinated. Locations are being added regularly.

Help Getting Vaccinated

Anyone without health insurance can get vaccinated by appointment at local health offices. Local health offices can also help vaccinate those under age 65 with health insurance if they are not able to get vaccinated through other locations due to lack of transportation or other barriers.

Need a ride? If you do not have transportation to get a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your local public transportation provider or call Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA) at 833-387-7200.

English language learners, or immigrant or refugee community members, who would like to learn more about vaccine clinics can contact the Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV) at 802-985-3106.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have never had a COVID vaccine before, you should get the vaccine as soon as possible, even if you have had COVID-19 before.

Everyone 6 months and older should follow COVID-19 vaccine dose recommendations from the CDC. These recommendations are based on extensive data that found the right vaccines doses needed to create the needed immune response for each age group. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions.

Other considerations:

If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you may consider delaying your vaccine by three months from when your symptoms started or, if you had no symptoms, when you received a positive test.
After your primary vaccine series, it is recommended to wait at least two months from your last dose before getting additional vaccine doses.

Why should I get another COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are working well  to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. However, public health experts are seeing reduced protection over time against mild and moderate disease, especially among certain populations. This is why vaccination recommendations are updated. Vaccine formulas are also being updated to give protection against more current strains of the virus that are circulating in the U.S.

Find more information at CDC

Are the COVID-19 vaccines for children the same as the ones for adults?

The COVID-19 vaccines for children have the same active ingredients as the vaccines given to adults. However, young children get a smaller dose that is right for them. The smaller doses were thoroughly tested and found to create the needed immune response for each age group. This means it's important for your child to get the vaccine made for their age group. COVID-19 vaccine dosage is based on the child's age the day of vaccination, not on size or weight. This is also true for other routinely recommended vaccines, like hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. Find more information at CDC

How can I get a new vaccine card or get my vaccine records?

If you lost your vaccine card or your information is wrong:

You may be able to get a new CDC COVID-19 vaccination card at the pharmacy or health care provider’s practice where you were vaccinated. Not all pharmacies or providers provide this service.
Vermont Immunization Registry (IMR) can give you a copy of your vaccination record by mail (within a week) or secure email (within two business days). NOTE: The IMR and CDC cannot issue you a new white CDC COVID-19 vaccination card or provide QR codes. Instructions on how to request vaccine records

How can I keep my vaccine card and record up to date?

Keep your vaccine card in a safe place so you don't lose it, like in your wallet or stored with other important documents. You can also take a picture of it with your smartphone.
Do not laminate your vaccine card. The ink on your card could run when heat is applied making it difficult to read. Also, additional doses will not be able to be recorded if the card is laminated.
If vaccinated in another state, check with your doctor that your vaccination is on record. This will ensure that both your medical records are updated, and your vaccine is recorded in the Vermont Immunization Registry.