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COVID-19 Vaccines

And Vaccine Schedules

Where to get a vaccine Side effects Vaccination records FAQs Learn more
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Everyone ages 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19. People who are up to date with their vaccines (including any recommended boosters) have the best protection. For the most up to date guidance from the CDC, see Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines.

Need help? Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473 open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Information is also available in multiple languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.
To find a vaccine, visit ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated.
Which vaccine should I get and when?
 

Vaccine Schedules
Which vaccine to get and when to get each dose depends on your age, your health status, and the type of vaccine you first received – see the COVID-19 vaccine schedules below for details.

Children ages 6 months through 17 years
(includes immunocompromised children)
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Adults 18+
(includes immunocompromised adults 18+)
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People vaccinated outside of the US, as part of a clinical trial or received a mix-and-match series
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View or download the full 5-page schedule in PDF format (updated 6/24/22): English | Español

  • The Pfizer (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines are recommended over the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) vaccine because they offer better protection against COVID-19 and have fewer potential risks. But you may get the J&J vaccine in some situations.
  • Children and teens - COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for children ages 6 months and older. The dose of vaccine is based on the age of the child on the day of their vaccine, not on their size or weight. Children ages 12 and over get the same dose of vaccine as teens and adults. For more information, see the CDC webpage COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens.
  • If you have COVID-19, wait until you have recovered (if you had symptoms) and finished isolation to get any COVID-19 vaccine doses. This is so that you don’t spread COVID-19 to healthcare workers and others when you go to get vaccinated. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from your infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
  • If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider delaying a vaccine dose (primary series or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or when you first had a positive test (if you didn’t have any symptoms).
  • Second primary dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
    The timing of your 2nd dose of the primary series depends on your individual situation:
    • People under 65 years of age, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 8 weeks after the first dose. A longer time between the first and second doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the already rare risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart).
      If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised or if you need the fullest possible protection sooner, you should get your second dose earlier: at least 3 weeks after your 1st dose of Pfizer and at least 4 weeks after your 1st dose of Moderna. For example, if there is an increase of COVID-19 spread in your community and/or you are at higher risk for severe disease.
    • People ages 65 years and older should get the second dose of Pfizer vaccine 3 weeks after the first dose, or the second dose of Moderna vaccine 4 weeks after the first dose.
    Talk with your doctor if you are not sure about which timing is best for your situation.
  • Booster doses
    Everyone age 18 and older should get a booster dose after they finish their primary series. Children age 5-17 who received the Pfizer vaccine for their primary series should also get a booster dose. (See vaccine schedule above for timing).
    • In addition, if you are age 50 and older or if you are age 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised you should get your 2nd booster when it is due to remain up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
    • If you are age 18-49 and you received J&J for both your primary dose and booster dose you may get a 2nd booster. This second booster dose is not required to be considered up to date.

    Visit the CDC interactive Getting your COVID-19 Booster tool to help determine when/if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters.

  • If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) you are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition, you may not build enough protection from the standard vaccine schedule. For this reason, additional COVID-19 vaccine doses are recommended. For more information, see the CDC webpage COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people (and vaccine schedule above) and talk to your doctor.
      Treatment to prevent COVID-19 for some people with weak immune systems.

      In addition to vaccination, there is an injectable medicine called Evusheld that is used before a person is exposed to COVID-19 to prevent them from getting infected. It can be given to people ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 lbs. whose immune system is not strong enough to mount a response to the vaccine. For more information, see Medicine to treat & prevent COVID-19. Talk to your doctor to see if this treatment is right for you.

  • If you were vaccinated outside of the US or as part of a clinical trial, See the CDC webpages People who received COVID-19 vaccine outside the United States and People who received COVID-19 vaccine as part of a clinical trial.
Where can I go to get vaccinated?
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  • There are hundreds of vaccination locations in LA County. Click here to find a location near you. If you are looking for vaccine for a child, make sure the location has the right vaccine for your child’s age. Note that many pharmacies do not vaccinate children under age 3. In-home vaccination and transportation to a vaccine site are also available.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is free.
  • No appointment is needed at many vaccine locations.
  • You will not be asked about your immigration status.

Need help? Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473 0473 if you need help finding a vaccine, transportation, or in-home vaccination. Open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Information is also available in multiple languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.

More information
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Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.

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