Updated COVID-19 Vaccines


The CDC has approved updated vaccines, which can reduce your risk of infection against COVID-19 and variants. Learn more about CDC guidance.

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A nurse and patient interacting

What To Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

  • All U.S. residents age 6 months or older are now eligible for the updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, designed to offer added protection against the XBB.1.5 Omicron variant.
  • Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you at vaccines.gov.
  • BlueCross will cover FDA-approved or emergency-authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Your plan will cover the vaccine at 100% if you get it from an in-network provider. If you get a vaccine from an out-of-network provider, then your out-of-network benefits will apply.
  • 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 or have already gotten another COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
  • You won't get COVID-19 from a vaccine.

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.
  • As of April 2023, the FDA recommends the bivalent dose as the primary COVID-19 vaccination. Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of that vaccine, rather than multiple doses. Unvaccinated children will still receive multiple shots.
  • 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. See the chart below for more information.
  • 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
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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
ImageImage

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+

      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 April 2023, the FDA recommends a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent dose as the primary COVID-19 vaccination. Unvaccinated adults can receive a single dose of that vaccine. Unvaccinated children will still receive multiple shots.

      If you are immunocompromised or ages 65-plus, 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
      • One shot for adults
        • Two shots for children 6 months through 5 years old
        • Additional dose eligible for those immunocompromised and ages 65-plus
      • One shot for adults
        • Three shots for children 6 months through 5 years old
        • Additional dose eligible for those immunocompromised and ages 65-plus
      • 1+ shot
      • 2 shots
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • May be used as an initial booster dose for adults, 6 months after their primary series.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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 months+ are eligible for the bivalent booster after completing their initial vaccination series.
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • Booster 2 months after second dose
        • The bivalent booster is available for people age 5+ after completing their initial vaccination series, or children 6 months+ after the three-dose primary 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
      • One shot for adults
        • Two shots for children 6 months through 5 years old
        • Additional dose eligible for those immunocompromised and ages 65-plus
      • FDA-approved for people age 18 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 17 years old.
      • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and rarely severe allergic reaction

      Pfizer

      • Under distribution
      • One shot for adults
        • Three shots for children 6 months through 5 years old
        • Additional dose eligible for those immunocompromised and ages 65-plus
      • FDA-approved for people age 16 and older. FDA emergency use authorization for those 6 months to 15 years old.
      • 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
      • Doses are 21 days apart
      • May be used as an initial booster dose for adults, 6 months after their primary series
      • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 12 or older.
      • 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.

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      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