April 19, 2023:
Recommendations for Second Dose of Updated Vaccine:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems receive another dose of the reformulated bivalent booster vaccine that debuted last fall. Eligible Americans will be able to receive booster shots immediately.
- Federal health officials are also phasing out the original monovalent vaccine created by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, revoking their authorizations in the United States. And instead of needing an initial series of two shots, unvaccinated people will now require just a single dose of the reformulated, or “bivalent,” COVID shot to be considered vaccinated. Prior to this recommendation, the CDC had required two doses of the original vaccine before recipients could begin to receive the bivalent boosters.
- Click here for the latest updates and recommendations from the CDC.
September 1, 2022:
Updated COVID-19 Booster:
- The U.S. authorized the first reformulation of COVID booster shots this week.
- The new doses target the dominant Omicron subvariants as well as the original COVID strain that emerged in 2019.
- Top health officials believe the shots will provide more durable protection heading into the fall.
- The CDC guidelines recommend updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older.
- People need to wait at least two months since their last COVID vaccine dose to receive an updated booster shot.
- Click here for additional information from the CDC.
June 18, 2022:
Vaccines for Young Children 6 months-5 Years of Age:
- Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated. Federal regulators have authorized the Moderna vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years.
- COVID-19 vaccines have undergone—and will continue to undergo—the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Parents and caregivers can play an active role in monitoring the safety of these vaccines by signing their children up for v-safe – personalized and confidential health check-ins via text messages and web surveys where they can easily share with CDC how a child feels after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Click here for additional information from the CDC on vaccinations for children.
May 19, 2022:
Booster Shots for Children 5-11 Years of Age:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Children in this age group who received their last dose least five months earlier are eligible to immediately receive additional doses. In addition, the CDC is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first.
- Click here for additional information from the CDC.
March 30, 2022:
- President Biden announced the creation of a new Federal website, Covid.gov., a centralized site to find guidance on masks, vaccines, testing and treatment. It is particularly useful for finding anti-viral medications. Click here to be taken to the site.
March 29, 2022:
Second Booster Shots:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.
- A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
- A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
- A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older who meet the current standards of being immunocompromised.
- Click here for additional information.
January 2022:
Free COVID Tests: Each household in the U.S. can now have four free COVID-19 at-home tests shipped directly to their home address. All you need to do is visit COVIDtests.gov and enter your contact information and mailing address.
Booster shots:
- The CDC now recommends that adolescents age 12 to 17 years old receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17. Click here for additional CDC information.
- The CDC has updated its recommendation for when people can receive a booster shots, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 and Moderna Vaccines. People who received the J&J vaccine can receive a booster shot after 2 months. Click here for further updated information.
- The CDC is also recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5 -11 year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11. Click here for the latest updates on booster shots from the Centers for Disease Control.
- Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
December 2021:
Booster shots:
- Teens 16-17 years of age are now eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster if their most recent shot was six months ago. Click here to learn more about requirements from the CDC.
November 2021:
Booster shots:
- As of November 19, 2021, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration approved booster shots for all Americans age 18 and up if their most recent shot was at least six month ago.
Vaccines for children:
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have authorized COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 who live in the United States.
- If you would like your child to receive a COVID vaccination, you may visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you, including pharmacies and drug stores. The following websites can also help you find a vaccination location:
- New York City vaccination information
- New York State vaccination information
October 2021:
Booster shots:
Third doses of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine - are now available to qualified individuals. You may schedule a booster dose if:
- You were fully vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna over 6 months ago and are 65 or older;
- You are a resident of a long-term care facility;
- You are 18 or older with underlying medical conditions and at higher risk for severe COVID-19;
- You are or 18 or older and at high risk due to occupational or institutional exposure.
Booster eligibility is available to the following recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
- You are 18 or older and were vaccinated at least two months ago;
- Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Click here for current CDC guidelines and recommendations for booster shots.
Click here for CDC updates.
There are multiple locations available in New York City and New York State where you can receive your third dose of vaccine; the following sites can help you find community-based locations: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/ and https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.
May 2021: Individuals 12 years of age and older residing in the United States are eligible to receive the COVID 19 vaccine. COVID vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. Visit Vaccines.gov to find appointments near you or contact your local pharmacy or provider. To check your eligibility, click here.
To learn more about the New York State Vaccination Program or to schedule an appointment, click here.
Additional Vaccine sites - the list below is not complete so do check with your own preferred local pharmacy:
Help for those who are Homebound - the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp has partnered with the Westchester County Department of Health to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to homebound Scarsdale residents 18 years of age or older, free of charge. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please contact SVAC either by phone at 914-722-2288 or by email using covid@scarsdalevac.com.
Please also note that SVAC offers COVID-19 testing for all Scarsdale residents. Any resident needing a COVID-19 test, either rapid or molecular, may schedule an appointment online at www.scarsdalevac.com/covid, or by calling 914-722-2288.
Help for Seniors - Vaccine hotline for seniors: Westchester County Department of Senior Programs & Services is helping the county’s senior citizens navigate the COVID-19 vaccine appointment process through an information and assistance phone line on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 914-813-6300, https://seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com/.
For advice and links to helpful resources: Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service - Maryellen Saenger: 914-723-3281.
Need a ride to your appointment? Contact RideConnect - 914-242-7433, rideconnectwestchester.org; and WestFair Rides - 914-764-3533, westfairrides.org
Sadly, desperate times are often fertile breeding grounds for scammers. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) website warns of the following red flags:
- You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency.
- You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
- You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine.
- No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call you asking for your Social Security number or your credit card or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.
- Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines to prevent the virus. Check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment.
See: ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams; and consumerresources.org/beware-coronavirus-scams
Finally, dealing with restrictions and losses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant psychological stress. NY Project Hope is an emotional support helpline, providing educational materials and trusted referrals. Contact Project Hope at: 1-844-863-9314.