COVID-19 Vaccine


Vaccines are widely available across the country, and we understand you may have questions. Here’s what you need to know.

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What To Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

  • All U.S. residents age 5 and older are now eligible for the vaccine. Children age 6 months and older are eligible for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
  • As of August 2022, the FDA and CDC have authorized the Novavax vaccine for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17.
  • Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you at vaccines.gov.
  • You won’t have any out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine.
  • The FDA and CDC consider COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective.
  • According to the CDC, you still need the vaccine even if you’ve had COVID-19 and you won’t get COVID-19 from a vaccine.
  • As of May 2022, the FDA recommends that distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be limited to individuals 18 years of age and older are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or who specifically request the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, due to the ongoing risk of rare but serious blood clots.

Additional Doses and Boosters:

  • Boosters and additional vaccine doses aren’t the same and their recommendations vary. Boosters increase immunity after the protection from the initial series has begun to wane. Additional vaccines are given as part of the initial series for people who are immunocompromised and need additional doses to mount a protective immune response. Be sure to talk to your health care provider to determine what’s right for you.
  • Boosters are recommended for all adults age 18 and older. The Pfizer booster is authorized for children age 5 and older. See the chart below for more information.
  • As of October 2022, people age 5 or older are eligible for the newest version of the Pfizer booster targeting subvariants. Moderna also has a new booster that is more effective against the Omicron subvariants, available for those age 6 or older.
  • Adults age 18 or older who received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines as their primary vaccine series can choose to receive the Novavax vaccine as their booster, according to the CDC. The Novavax vaccine can be used as a booster at least 6 months after the primary series.

COVID-19 Treatment:

  • The FDA has authorized Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 treatment pill as early stage treatment for those 12 years or older with mild to moderate illness who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. Learn more here.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs.
We’ve compiled answers to your most-asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

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COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs.
We’ve compiled answers to your most-asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

Current Vaccine Phases in Tennessee

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PHASE 1

1 A1

  • Inpatient and other high-exposure health care workers
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
  • First responders
  • Adults who cannot live independently

1 A2

  • Outpatient health care workers with direct patient exposure, including mortuary services

1 B

  • K-12 and child care staff
  • First responder operations personnel

1 C

  • Those with high-risk health conditions including pregnancy
  • Caregivers of children with high-risk health conditions
  • Permanent household members age 16 and older living with pregnant women
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PHASE 2

2 A

Critical infrastructure, including:

  • Social services
  • Commercial agriculture
  • Commercial food production
  • Corrections staff
  • Public transit

2 B

Critical infrastructure, including:

  • Transportation
  • Public infrastructure
  • Telecommunications
  • Utilities/energy
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PHASE 3

  • Congregate living facilities, including corrections
  • Grocery workers
  • Everyone else who did not fall under a previous phase

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AGE-BASED

In addition to the prioritized phases, Tennesseans are eligible for vaccines based on age. This timeline is tentative and is subject to change:

  • December 2020: Ages 75+
  • January/February 2021: Ages 70+
  • February 2021: 65+
  • March 2021: Ages 55+
  • April 5, 2021: Ages 16+

Vaccine Phases in Tennessee

Image

PHASE 1

1 A1

  • Inpatient and other high-exposure health care workers
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
  • First responders
  • Adults who cannot live independently

1 A2

  • Outpatient health care workers with direct patient exposure, including mortuary services

1 B

  • K-12 and child care staff
  • First responder operations personnel

1 C

  • Those with high-risk health conditions including pregnancy
  • Caregivers of children with high-risk health conditions
  • Permanent household members age 16 and older living with pregnant women
Image

PHASE 2

2 A

Critical infrastructure, including:

  • Social services
  • Commercial agriculture
  • Commercial food production
  • Corrections staff
  • Public transit

2 B

Critical infrastructure, including:

  • Transportation
  • Public infrastructure
  • Telecommunications
  • Utilities/energy
Image Image

PHASE 3

  • Congregate living facilities, including corrections
  • Grocery workers
  • Everyone else who did not fall under a previous phase
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      AGE-BASED

      In addition to the prioritized phases, Tennesseans are eligible for vaccines based on age. This timeline is tentative and is subject to change:

      • December 2020: Ages 75+
      • January/February 2021: Ages 70+
      • February 2021: 65+
      • March 2021: Ages 55+
      • April 5, 2021: Ages 16+

      The Four COVID-19 Vaccines

      This chart, compiled from CDC and vaccine manufacturer data, helps explain the differences among the vaccines. It’s important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

      As of August 2022, Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for adolescents ages 12–17, and adults age 18 or older. See the chart below for more details.

      As of October 2022, a new version of the Pfizer booster, targeting subvariants, is available for those age 5 and up. Moderna also has a new booster targeting subvariants, available for people age 6 or older.

      The CDC and FDA have advised that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines could be used as a booster in a “mix and match” approach for those who need additional protection. Adults age 18 or older can also receive the Novavax vaccine as their first booster dose.

      Boosters are for fully vaccinated people whose immune systems already built an appropriate level of protection. However, over time, this protection may need to be boosted again. You can find more information here.

      If you are immunocompromised, you may qualify for an additional vaccine dose. Read more here.


      Moderna

      Pfizer

      Johnson & Johnson JansSen

      Novavax

      • Under distribution
      • Under distribution
      • Under distribution
      • Under distribution
      • 2+ shots
      • 2+ shots
      • 1+ shot
      • 2 shots
      • 94.1% effective against positive COVID-19 test results or symptomatic infection
      • 95% effective against positive COVID-19 test results or symptomatic infection
      • 72% effective against COVID-19-related moderate to severe illness and 85% against severe cases
      • 90% effective against preventing illness from COVID-19-related moderate to severe illness
      • FDA-approved for people age 18 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 17 years old.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • All adults ages 18+
      • FDA-approved for people age 16 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 15 years old.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • Ages 5+
      • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older who are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer, or upon specific request.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • All adults ages 18+
      • FDA-emergency use authorization for people age 12 or older.
      • Doses are 28 days apart
      • Booster 2 months after second dose
        • People age 6 or older are eligible for the new booster, targeting subvariants, two months after completing their initial vaccination series.
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • Booster 2 months after second dose
        • People age 5 or older are eligible for the new booster, targeting subvariants, two months after completing their initial vaccination series.
      • 1 dose
      • Booster 2 months after original dose
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • May be used as an initial booster dose for adults, 6 months after their primary series.
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and rarely severe allergic reaction
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and rarely severe allergic reaction
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain and a sore arm
      • Side effects may include injection site pain, fatigue, headache and muscle pain.
      • FDA-approved for people age 18 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 17 years old.
      • FDA-approved for people age 16 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 15 years old.
      • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older who are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer, or upon specific request.

      Moderna

      • Under distribution
      • 2+ shots
      • FDA-approved for people age 18 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 17 years old.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • All adults ages 18+
      • Doses are 28 days apart
      • Booster 2 months after second dose
        • People age 6 or older are eligible for the new booster, targeting subvariants, two months after completing their initial vaccination series.
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and rarely severe allergic reaction

      Pfizer

      • Under distribution
      • 2+ shots
      • FDA-approved for people age 16 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 15 years old.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • Ages 5+
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • Booster 2 months after second dose
        • People age 5 or older are eligible for the new booster, targeting subvariants, two months after completing their initial vaccination.
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and rarely severe allergic reaction

      Johnson & Johnson JansSen

      • Under distribution
      • 1+ shot
      • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older who are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer, or upon specific request.
      • Additional dose eligible for:
        • All adults ages 18+
      • 1 dose
      • Booster 2 months after original dose
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain and a sore arm

      Novavax

      • Under distribution
      • 2 shots
      • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older.
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • May be used as an initial booster dose for adults, 6 months after their primary series
      • Side effects may include injection site pain, fatigue, headache and muscle pain.

      It’s important to remember this information could change. We’ll update this page as researchers learn more.
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      Guidelines after vaccination
      The CDC released recommendations for safely gathering once vaccinated against COVID-19.

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      Guidelines after vaccination
      The CDC released recommendations for safely gathering once vaccinated against COVID-19.

      Learn More

      COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ ¿Habla Español?


      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.

      Preguntas frecuentes para miembros, sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19