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1. Where can I get a vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are now available to anyone 6 months and older that wants a vaccine. Vaccines are being given by Public Health, hospitals, health care providers, clinics, and pharmacies in the community. 

Vaccines and boosters are available at the New Hanover County Health & Human Services Clinic located at 1650 Greenfield Street in Wilmington, NC.  Vaccines and boosters are available Monday to Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm with extended hours until 6 pm on Tuesdays.  

More Information

CDC - What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

2. Can children receive the vaccine?

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA and CDC for children 6 months to 17 years. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA and CDC for individuals 12 years and older.  In studies, these COVID-19 vaccines reduced the rate of COVID-19 infection and provided strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization. Parents can learn more at NCDHHS.gov. Parental consent is required for children ages 6 months to 15 years old prior to receiving the vaccine.  The following vaccines are available at New Hanover County Health and Human Services. 

Pfizer

6 months to 4 years: Three dose bivalent vaccine series

Ages 5 and older: One dose bivalent vaccine

Moderna

6 months to 5 years: Two dose bivalent vaccine series

Ages 6 and older: One dose bivalent vaccine

More Informations

• FDA
  • FDA Authorizes Changes to Simplify Use of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
  • FDA Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
  • FDA Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
• CDC
  • CDC simplifies COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
  • CDC Recommendations for Children Aged 6 Months—5 Years
  • CDC Recommendation for Everyone Aged 6 Years and Older
• NCDHHS
  • New Guidance: Only Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available, People at High Risk May Receive Additional Dose

3. Where can I get more information about COVID-19 vaccines?

It's important to follow trusted sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, some of those include:

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vaccine Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
• Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Information
• Mayo Clinic - COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked

More Information about the approved vaccines:

CDC - Different COVID-19 Vaccines

FDA - Pfizer Vaccine Information

FDA - Moderna Vaccine Information

FDA - Janssen Vaccine Information

FDA - Novavax Vaccine Information

4. Why should I get the vaccine?

The vaccine will protect you from getting COVID-19, help prevent severe illness and the spread of the virus in our community, and save lives.

There is no way to know how your body will fight COVID-19 or the impact the illness could have if spread to members of your family, to friends, or other close contacts. The vaccine will help your body build protection from COVID-19, without having to experience the virus itself or risk spreading the illness to others.

More Information

CDC - Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

5. What are the side effects from the vaccine?

While side effects can occur after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, just like with any other vaccine you receive, they are typically minor and short-lived. Adverse events from the vaccine are extremely rare, and some people experience no side effects at all.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists common side effects of the vaccine, including pain, redness and swelling at the injection site along with tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea.  Side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection against the virus and should go away within a few days.  While COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects, they cannot and do not give you COVID-19.

The CDC encourages people to contact their doctor if side effects do not go away after a few days.

6. How do I know the vaccine is safe?

Every vaccine goes through extensive clinical trials and monitoring to identify effectiveness, potential side effects, or safety concerns before it is approved for public use, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different.

The COVID-19 vaccine is designed like many other vaccines to teach your body to fight infection. Sometimes, this can cause a spike in fever or other symptoms that signal your body is building immunity. Some recipients have reported effects of the immune response the vaccine triggers, like soreness at the injection site or fatigue.

Any potential side effects are required by law to be reported by the drug manufacturer. So far, none of the approved vaccines have reported any significant safety concerns in their trials.

The CDC also has an app called "V-Safe" that allows users to report any side effects experienced after receiving the vaccine.

Monitoring of potential side effects will be on-going as the vaccine is distributed, with mandatory reporting of any adverse effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD).

More Information

• CDC - COVID-19 Vaccine Safety information
• FDA - Vaccine Development 101

7. Will the vaccine give me COVID-19? Or make me sick?

No. The COVID-19 vaccine is designed like many other vaccines to teach your body to fight infection. Sometimes, this can cause a spike in fever or other symptoms that signal your body is building immunity. Some recipients have reported effects of the immune response the vaccine triggers, like soreness at the injection site or fatigue. Any side effects from the vaccine will be reported, as required by law.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

8. If I get the vaccine, am I immune to COVID-19?

Not quite. Getting your vaccine will build your immunity, which can lower your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Your vaccine will also greatly reduce your risk of developing serious illness or death related to COVID-19.

Your greatest level of immunity will be 14 days after receiving a COVID vaccine.

Immunity can fade with time so to keep your immunity level high, stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.  Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for one updated bivalent COVID-19 booster 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or any previous booster.  Those 65 and older are eligible for a second bivalent COVID-19 booster 4 months after the first bivalent booster and those that are immunocompromised are eligible for a second bivalent COVID-19 booster 2 months after the first bivalent booster.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

9. What will the vaccine cost?

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster is free and accessible to everyone. Health insurance is not required.

10. If I’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, can I still get the vaccine?

Yes, and you should. Even if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, there is no current understanding of how long natural immunity, gained from exposure to the virus, will last from person to person. Re-infection is still possible, so everyone is encouraged to get the vaccine and booster to protect themselves from severe illness.

More Information

• CDC - Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

11. Can I get the vaccine if I have COVID or have had another vaccine recently?

Yes. The CDC has advised that you can receive your COVID-19 vaccine even if you have received another vaccine recently. You can even receive other necessary vaccines on the same day you receive your COVID-19 vaccine, like for the flu or other diseases.

People who are actively sick with COVID-19 should wait until they have recovered and can no longer spread the virus before getting their vaccine.  Once you have recovered, it is safe to get vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine if you have been infected in the past.

If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

12. What is a booster dose?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended updated bivalent COVID-19 booster shots to provide continued protection for those who have been fully vaccinated. Boosters strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. See below for a COVID-19 booster eligibility guide.

Eligibility for a Pfizer Booster

• 5 years or older and it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 shot, either the last dose in your initial series or an previous booster shot. 

Eligibility for a Moderna Booster

• 6 years or older and it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 shot, either the last dose in your initial series or an previous booster shot. 
• 6 months to 5 years and it has been at least two months since completing the initial Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series.

Eligibility for a Novavax Booster

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended a monovalent Novavax COVID-19 booster in certain cases.
• 18 years or older and it has been at least six months since completion of a primary series COVID-19 vaccine and have not received any previous boosters. 
• Unable to receive an mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster due to medical reasons or lack of availability. 

13. Do I need to have an appointment to get a vaccine?

No, vaccines and boosters are available on a walk-in basis only during the following times at the New Hanover County Health & Human Services Clinic:

• Monday - 8 am to 5 pm
• Tuesday - 8 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday - 8 am to 5 pm
• Thursday - 8 am to 5 pm
• Friday - 8 am to 5 pm