COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
Are you a BlueCare Tennessee provider? Click here for information about COVID-19 vaccines.
All other providers can find more information about COVID-19 vaccines here.
We’ve compiled answers to your most-asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines. This is a developing situation, so check back for updated information.
About COVID-19 Vaccinations
As of April 2023, all U.S. residents age 6 months or older are eligible for the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccine. The FDA recommends a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose as the primary COVID-19 vaccination.
- Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of the vaccine.
- Children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
- Those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus are authorized for a second bivalent booster dose at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative to mRNA bivalent doses. Our chart here outlines vaccine guidance.
The FDA recommends a single Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose for unvaccinated adults. Unvaccinated children ages 6 months to 4 years should receive two doses of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or three doses of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine.
The FDA also recommends a second bivalent booster dose, at least four months after their initial bivalent booster, for those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative to mRNA bivalent doses.
You can find more details through the CDC guidance here.
Tools like vaccines.gov will usually show which vaccine a provider is giving. The CDC recommends you get whichever bivalent vaccine is available. Keep in mind that:
- Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna bivalent vaccine.
- Children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
- Those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus are authorized for a second bivalent booster dose at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative to mRNA bivalent doses.
The FDA now recommends a single Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose for unvaccinated adults. Unvaccinated children ages 6 months to 4 years should receive two doses of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or three doses of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine.
The FDA also recommends a second bivalent booster dose, at least four months after their initial bivalent booster, for those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who cannot receive mRNA bivalent doses are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative.
You can find more information here.
The FDA recommends a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose as the primary COVID-19 vaccination.
- Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of the vaccine.
- Children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
- Those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus are authorized for a second bivalent booster dose at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who cannot receive mRNA bivalent doses are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative.
You can find more details through the CDC guidance here.
Those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus may be eligible to receive a second bivalent shot at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
If you’re immunocompromised and wish to receive an additional dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, please talk to your doctor to discuss whether you meet the CDC recommendations.
Unvaccinated children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Adults age 18 or older who received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines and are unable to receive an mRNA bivalent dose can also receive the Novavax vaccine as their first booster six months after their primary vaccination series, according to the CDC.
With the mRNA vaccines and the Johnson and Johnson vaccines, the body’s cells are instructed to create harmless spike proteins. Novavax delivers a harmless spike protein that was made outside of the body. The mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to direct the body’s cell to create a harmless spike protein to stimulate an immune response to COVID-19. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a viral vector vaccine which uses a harmless adenovirus (an adenovirus is associated with the common cold) as a carrier for the harmless spike protein making instructions. The Novavax vaccine packages a synthetic harmless spike protein with an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response. Learn more here.
The Novavax vaccine is 90% effective against lab-confirmed, symptomatic infection and 100% effective against moderate and severe disease, according to Phase 3 trial results published in The New England Journal of Medicine in December 2021.
As of October 2022, the CDC recommends that adults age 18 or older who received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can receive the Novavax vaccine as their first booster six months after their primary vaccination series.
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time, including a COVID-19 booster shot, if you are eligible and the timing coincides. Although you can receive both vaccines during the same visit, please make sure the timing is right. The CDC advises that people follow the recommended schedule for each vaccine. So, get your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and receive a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible.
According to a recent CDC study, people who received a flu vaccine and an mRNA booster vaccine at the same time were slightly more likely to experience reactions like fatigue, headache and muscle ache; but reactions were mild and shown to resolve quickly. We urge you to speak with your primary care provider if you have any concerns or questions about receiving both vaccines at the same time.
Moms and Children
Adults and children have been included in the vaccine clinical trials, meeting safety and effectiveness standards. As of April 2023, all U.S. residents age 6 months or older are eligible for the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccine. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus are authorized for a second bivalent booster dose at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
The Novavax vaccine is authorized for adolescents ages 12–17 who are unable to receive an mRNA bivalent dose.
Children ages 6 months through 17 years are eligible for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccines. As of August 2022, the Novavax vaccine is authorized for age 12 or older who are unable to receive the mRNA bivalent dose.
People of all ages, including children, will need the vaccine. As of April 2023, the FDA recommends a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose as the primary COVID-19 vaccination. Children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Novavax is authorized for adolescents ages 12–17 who are unable to receive the mRNA bivalent dose.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published on Dec. 13, 2020, that pregnant and nursing women should be offered a vaccine.
If you’re pregnant, talk with your provider to determine whether it’s right for you. As clinical trials expand, health experts will be able to offer more direction.
Experts are still reviewing this subject. But a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that antibodies made after a pregnant person got an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine could be found in the umbilical cord blood. This means that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy might help protect babies against COVID-19.
It’s also important to protect yourself while pregnant by getting vaccinated. According to the CDC, people who are pregnant or recently pregnant are more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 compared to others. Getting a vaccine can help protect you from severe illness.
Vaccine Testing and Side Effects
Some people have had side effects from the vaccines. These are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects are pain, redness and swelling in the arm where you received the shot, as well as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea. These side effects could affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Learn more about what to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they receive the second dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine or the single dose of the J&J/Janssen vaccine.
Provider Questions
You won’t have any out-of-pocket costs for a vaccine. The federal government is paying for the vaccine itself, and we’re covering the costs to administer the vaccine for our members. Some providers may charge for an office visit to give the vaccine, which would use your usual office visit benefits. But the vaccine itself won’t cost you anything. We’re also covering the administration cost for a COVID-19 booster for commercial Blue Network S, P and L members and Medicare Advantage, BlueCare Tennessee and BlueCare Plus members who are eligible for a booster. This includes people who are 65-plus, or adults ages 18–64 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or whose employment puts them at high risk of COVID-19 due to repeated exposure.
If you are a BlueCross member and you are charged for your vaccine visit, please call the Member Service telephone number on the back of your Member ID card for help.
COVID-19 and Fraud
Unfortunately, some people are using the threat of coronavirus to defraud others, especially our senior population.
Your Health
Yes, you should get vaccinated even if you already had COVID-19. Health experts are still studying how long you’ll be protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.
If you were treated for COVID-19 with antibodies or plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
A person is considered fully vaccinated after receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna bivalent COVID-19 dose. This means that:
- Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of the vaccine.
- Children between ages 6 months and 5 years can receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine and three doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
- Those who are immunocompromised and adults ages 65-plus are authorized for a second bivalent booster dose at least four months after their initial bivalent booster.
Adults over 18 and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who cannot receive mRNA bivalent doses are also eligible for the Novavax vaccine as an alternative.
You can find more information here.
Most vaccines take several weeks to build an immune response in your body, and the COVID-19 vaccines are no different.
Until you’re fully vaccinated, you should still practice social distancing, mask wearing and frequent handwashing. Once you’re fully vaccinated, you can resume some activities; but the CDC still recommends wearing a mask in many situations, depending on the level of risk in your area. Stay up to date on the latest mask guidelines here.
Just remember, some businesses, workplaces and travel still require mask wearing regardless of vaccine status.
Preguntas frecuentes para miembros, sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19
La vacuna no le costará nada de su bolsillo. El gobierno federal está pagando por la vacuna en sí, y nosotros estamos cubriendo los costos para administrar la vacuna para nuestros miembros. Algunos proveedores médicos pueden cobrar por la consulta para administrar la vacuna, lo que utilizaría sus beneficios habituales de consultas en el consultorio. Pero la vacuna en sí no le costará nada. Nosotros también cubriremos el costo para administrar la vacuna de refuerzo contra el COVID-19 para los miembros comerciales de la Red Blue S, P y L y los miembros de Medicare Advantage, BlueCare Tennessee y BlueCare Plus que sean elegibles para una vacuna de refuerzo. Esto incluye a las personas mayores de 65 años, o a los adultos de 18 a 64 años de edad que están de moderada a severamente inmunocomprometidos o cuyo empleo los pone en alto riesgo de contraer COVID-19 debido a la exposición continua.
Si usted es un miembro de BlueCross y se le ha cobrado por su consulta de vacunación, por favor llame al número de Servicio al Miembro que aparece en el reverso de su tarjeta de identificación de miembro para obtener ayuda.
los CDC y la FDA informaron que cualquiera de las tres vacunas autorizadas podría usarse como refuerzo de “combinación y mezcla” para quienes necesitan protección adicional.
Actualmente, las recomendaciones de refuerzo se aplican a todos los adultos de 18 años o más. El refuerzo de Pfizer está autorizado para los mayores de 5 años. Si tiene al menos 5 años y ha pasado suficiente tiempo desde que recibió la primera vacuna, puede recibir un refuerzo.
- Pfizer y Moderna: al menos 5 meses después de la segunda dosis de la serie inicial
- Johnson & Johnson / Janssen: 2 meses o más después de la vacunación inicial
la FDA autorizó una segunda dosis de refuerzo de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 de Pfizer-BioNTech y Moderna para los adultos mayores de 50 años y ciertas personas con inmunodeficiencias. Las personas podrán recibirla al menos cuatro meses después de la primera dosis de refuerzo. Puede encontrar más detalles en la guía de los CDC aquí.
Las personas inmunocomprometidas con afecciones moderadas a graves pueden ser elegibles para recibir una tercera dosis de las vacunas Pfizer o Moderna.
Si está inmunocomprometido y desea recibir una tercera dosis de Pfizer o Moderna, hable con su médico para analizar si cumple con las recomendaciones de los CDC y tenga en cuenta lo siguiente:
- Deben haber pasado al menos 28 días desde su vacuna anterior.
- Se recomienda una tercera dosis de la misma marca de ARNm que se recibió inicialmente, pero si la marca de ARNm que se recibió inicialmente no está disponible, se puede tomar cualquiera de las marcas de ARNm para una dosis adicional.
- Nadie debe recibir más de tres dosis de vacuna de ARNm.
Los niños de 6 meses a 17 años pueden recibir las vacunas contra el COVID-19 de Moderna y Pfizer. Los niños de 5 años o más también pueden recibir la vacuna de refuerzo de Pfizer al menos cinco meses después de la segunda vacuna.
El Colegio Americano de Obstetras y Ginecólogos publicó el 13 de diciembre de 2020 que se debe ofrecer la vacuna a las mujeres embarazadas y lactantes.
Si está embarazada, hable con su proveedor médico para determinar si es adecuado para usted. A medida que se amplíen los ensayos clínicos, los expertos en salud podrán ofrecer más información.
La vacuna de cada fabricante requiere programas de vacunación ligeramente diferentes. El proveedor que le administrará la inyección le informará cuándo debe recibir la segunda dosis. El CDC ha creado una tarjeta de vacuna para que pueda anotar cuándo la recibió y cuándo la necesitará nuevamente. Es importante seguir el horario de las dosis para obtener la máxima protección.
Los expertos en salud recomiendan que las personas elegibles reciban las inyecciones de refuerzo de Pfizer y Moderna a partir de los seis meses posteriores a la segunda dosis. Los niños de 5 años de edad o más pueden recibir el refuerzo de Pfizer al menos cinco meses después de su segunda dosis. Los adultos mayores de 18 años que recibieron la vacuna Johnson & Johnson pueden recibir un refuerzo al menos dos meses después de la dosis inicial. La FDA también ha emitido una autorización de emergencia para un enfoque de “combinación y mezcla” para los refuerzos, lo que significa que los adultos elegibles que estén completamente vacunados pueden recibir un refuerzo de una vacuna diferente. Puede encontrar más información aquí.
la FDA autorizó una segunda dosis de refuerzo de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 de Pfizer-BioNTech y Moderna para los adultos mayores de 50 años y ciertas personas con inmunodeficiencias. Las personas podrán recibirla al menos cuatro meses después de la primera dosis de refuerzo. Puede encontrar más detalles en la guía de los CDC aquí.
Se considera que una persona está totalmente vacunada dos semanas después de recibir una segunda dosis de la vacuna Pfizer o Moderna, o dos semanas después de recibir la vacuna Johnson & Johnson de una sola dosis.
Sin embargo, para obtener la máxima protección, los expertos en salud recomiendan que las personas que cumplen los requisitos reciban las vacunas de refuerzo de Pfizer y Moderna a partir de los seis meses posteriores a la segunda dosis. Esto incluye a todas las personas de 18 años o más para Moderna y de 5 años o más para Pfizer. Los adultos mayores de 18 años que recibieron la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson pueden recibir un refuerzo al menos dos meses después de la dosis inicial. La FDA también ha emitido una autorización de emergencia para un enfoque de “mezcla y combinación” de refuerzos, lo que significa que los adultos elegibles que están completamente vacunados pueden obtener un refuerzo de una vacuna diferente. Puede encontrar más información aquí.