COVID-19 Vaccines
Updated 9/28/22
What vaccines are available? Who is eligible to be vaccinated?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several COVID-19 vaccines through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An overview for each is below. Visit the CDC website for more information.
- The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available for people 6 months of age and older. Boosters are available for people 5 years of age and older, if eligible.
- The two-dose Moderna vaccine is available for people 6 months of age and older. Boosters are available for people 12 years of age and older, if eligible.
- The two-dose Novavax vaccine is available for adults 18 years of age and older. Boosters are available for people 18 years of age and older, if eligible.
- The one-dose Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available for certain adults 18 years of age and older. It is recommended that this vaccine only be considered in some situations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of September 21, 2022 over 224 million Americans, or almost 68% of the total U.S. population are fully vaccinated. More than 108 million, or almost 49% have received at least one booster dose. About 42% of adults over the age 65, who are at greatest risk of getting COVID-19, are fully vaccinated with two booster shots.
Are there COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements in Los Angeles?
Although the CDC recommends certain people get them, COVID-19 vaccines are not required. It is your choice whether to receive one and it should not change your standard medical care. In the state of California, certain employees, such as those in hospitals, adult care facilities and public schools, may be required to have a vaccine in order to work. Workers required by their employer may be exempt from vaccination due to closely held religious beliefs or qualifying medical reasons. Check with your employer for additional information.
On September 15, 2022 The California Department of Health updated its COVID-19 Public Health Order, stating that health care facilities no longer need to screen visitors for COVID-19 symptoms, or that visitors provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Visitors to Valley Presbyterian Hospital must continue to wear a hospital issued face-covering. Please see our COVID-19 portal page for Patient & Visitor Policy Updates with information about these and other requirements when visiting the hospital.
As of September 23, 2022 the County of Los Angeles has updated its mask requirements. Masks are required in healthcare settings, congregate care facilities, and in other locations where it is the policy of the business or venue. Wearing a mask is recommended on public transit, in transportation hubs, and if you are at risk for severe illness and in a higher risk setting (closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact settings). It is no longer required in correctional facilities, shelters, schools, or other businesses (unless noted above). Visit the Los Angeles County Public Health (LACPH) website for more information.
As of August 2, 2022, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) does not have a vaccination mandate for children to attend in-person classes in LAUSD and charter schools. Booster shots are not required. Masks are not required but are recommended. Visit the LAUSD website for more information.
Do children need to be vaccinated?
The CDC is recommending that children 6 months of age and older get vaccinated.
Evidence suggests that children with obesity, asthma, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, immunosuppression and other underlying medical conditions are more at risk than other children of having a severe illness when infected with COVID-19. When healthy children without underlying medical conditions are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, most have been less severely affected by it. Most are also not as severely affected as adults. According to the CDC, as of March, 2022, only 0.07% of children aged 0-17 have died from COVID-19, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. This indicates that death in children with COVID-19 has been rare.
What are the vaccines made of?
There are three types of vaccines: messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector/adenovirus vaccines, both of which use newer technology, and a more traditional protein subunit vaccine.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) - Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are available in the United States from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. These vaccines use new technology for the development of mRNA that has been engineered in a lab. Tiny pieces of genetic code are delivered to body cells by a small enclosure made of fat. After the vaccination, when the mRNA delivery enters a cell, it provides the body with instructions for making the spike (S) protein found in the COVID-19 virus. The S protein stimulates the body to react with an immune response, fighting the actual virus if the body becomes infected. Visit the CDC website for more information about mRNA vaccines.
Viral vector / adenovirus vaccines - Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Another vaccine, available from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, is based on new viral vector or adenovirus technology. This vaccine extracts genetic DNA material from the COVID-19 virus and uses a viral vector (an unrelated common virus that doesn’t replicate) as a shell to deliver it into body cells. After the vaccination, when the viral vector enters a cell, it provides instructions for making the spike (S) protein found in the COVID-19 virus. The S protein stimulates the body to react, creating defensive white blood cells and antibodies, which will fight the virus if the body becomes infected. Visit the CDC website for more information about viral vector vaccines.
Protein subunit vaccines - other
A third type of vaccine, called a protein subunit vaccine is based on traditional science similar to the how protein-based flu vaccines are made. It uses a tiny piece of the coronavirus, the spike (S) protein, which has undergone a purification process. The vaccine includes a nanoparticle dose of the protein, along with a natural soapbark tree extraction that encourages immune cells to activate. Unlike mRNA or viral vector vaccines, the body isn’t required to make a protein since the protein is already in the dose. After the vaccination, when the body’s immune system recognizes an invading S protein, it creates a potent immune response, which will fight the virus if infected. Visit the CDC website for more information about protein subunit vaccines.
How effective is the vaccine? What is a breakthrough infection after vaccination?
According to the CDC, the vaccines are not entirely effective and the duration of protection wanes. Fully vaccinated people can become infected with variants, be infectious, and spread the virus to others.
Regardless of vaccination status, if you are exposed to COVID-19, as of September 28, 2022, the CDC has updated their recommendations for what to do. Visit the CDC website for more information.
In some cases, treatment may be needed. Visit our Symptoms & Treatments page for information about treatments that are available for vaccinated and unvaccinated people who are infected with COVID-19.
How safe are the vaccines? What are the side effects?
According to the CDC, the vaccines are safe. Some people have no side effects, while others have reported common side effects such as swelling and pain at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, chills and nausea. See additional side effects for each vaccine included in their fact sheets, below. In addition see the next question about conditions, hospitalizations and deaths that have been tracked in the VAERS reporting system after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away call your vaccination administrator or healthcare provider. If you have severe reaction, call 911.
Visit the CDC website for additional vaccine information. Summaries are listed below with links to the vaccine makers' Fact Sheets.
Pfizer-BioNTech
According to Pfizer’s fact sheet data (versions June 28, 2022 and July 8, 2022), adverse reactions may include an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, higher among males under 40 years of age than females. In addition, chest pain, shortness of breath, fast-beating/fluttering or pounding heart, difficulty breathing, swelling of face and throat, a bad rash all over the body, dizziness, weakness, chills, headache, muscle pain, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite, and other side effects have been reported. Information is not yet available about long-term effects. Data is insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy, and data is not available to assess its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion. This may not be all of the adverse reactions or side effects. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use. For more information, download the Fact Sheets for adults and children.
Moderna (marketed as Spikevax)
According to Moderna’s fact sheet data (version June 17, 2022), adverse reactions may include cardiac disorders (myocarditis, pericarditis), higher among males under 40 years of age, and highest in males 18-24 years of age, immune system disorders (anaphylaxis, severe allergic reactions), and nervous system disorders (syncope). In addition, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, chills, nausea/vomiting, swelling, fever, and skin rash have been reported. Information is not yet available about long-term effects. Data is insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy, and data is not available to assess its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion. This may not be all of the adverse reactions or side effects. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use. For more information, download the Fact Sheets for adults and children.
Novavax
According to Novavax’s fact sheet data (version July 13, 2022), adverse reactions may include increased risks of cardiac disorders (myocarditis, pericarditis), and nervous system disorders (syncope). In addition, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, headache, join pain, nausea/vomiting, fever, and lymphadenopathy-related reactions have been reported. Information is not yet available about long-term effects. Data is insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy, and data is not available to assess its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion. This may not be all of the adverse reactions or side effects. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use. For more information, download the Fact Sheets for adults.
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
According to Janssen’s fact sheet data (version May 5, 2022), adverse reactions to the vaccine may include severe allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling of face and throat, fast heartbeat, bad rash over the body, dizziness, and weakness. There is also an increased risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) (blood clots with low levels of platelets) in males and females 18 years of older, with the highest reporting rate in females 30–49 years of age. 1 in 7 of these cases have resulted in death. In addition, there may be an increased risk of other vascular disorders (capillary leak syndrome, venous thromboembolism, immune thrombocytopenia), lymphatic system disorders, cardiac disorders (myocarditis, pericarditis), ear and labyrinth disorders (tinnitus), and nervous system disorders (Guillain-Barre syndrome, syncope, paresthesia, hypoesthesia). This may not be all of the adverse reactions or side effects. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use. For more information, download the Fact Sheets for adults.
Note: As of May 5, 2022, the FDA limited the use of the Janssen vaccine to adults 18 years of age and older, only when other COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to those adults who elect to receive it because they otherwise would not receive a vaccine.
How is the safety of the vaccines tracked? How are problems reported?
A Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a volunteer reporting system when someone has a problem or adverse event after being vaccinated. VAERS has been used for decades for all types of vaccines and is jointly operated by the CDC/HHH and FDA. It is required by law for vaccination providers enrolled in the federal COVID-19 Vaccination Program to report adverse events to the VAERS system that are listed in the Table of Reportable Events.
The data that the VAERS system captures is under-reported and accounts for only 1% of all adverse events according to the Lazarus report. It may also not reflect actual numbers due to backlogs of adverse events that healthcare providers have not yet entered into the system. HHS personnel may not have reviewed all of the adverse events in the system and may not find a causal relationship to the vaccines.
The OpenVaers report is a helpful tool that provides charts to the public based on the VAERS data. As of September 16, 2022 VAERS data shows 1,371,471 adverse reactions and side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccines have been reported thus far, listed below. (*children aged 0-17)
- 31,071 deaths (*151)
- 177,973 hospitalizations (*4,366)
- 135,618 urgent care visits (*5,195)
- 206,016 doctor office visits
- 58,024 permanently disabled (*522)
- 52,347 myocarditis/pericarditis (*1,928)
- 44,736 severe allergic reaction (*1,634)
- 34,107 life threatening conditions (*666)
- 16,650 heart attacks
- 16,035 Bell's Palsy (*228)
- 14,698 shingles
- 10,018 anaphylaxis
- *9,893 not recovered
- 9,040 thrombocytopenia/low platelet (*248)
- 5,040 miscarriages
Visit the OpenVaers website for more information and additional data about other conditions that have been reported after receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. This data includes reports from the United states and other countries that are using COVID-19 vaccinations manufactured in the United States.
Do I need to get a booster shot if I've been vaccinated?
Due to waning effectiveness of the primary vaccine (see more information above), the CDC now recommends boosters. Visit the CDC website for more information.
Where do I get a vaccination or booster?
Residents may receive communication from their health care provider with information on how to receive the vaccine. To find locations which are administering free vaccines and for additional information, visit the Los Angeles County Vaccination page.
Where can I get up-to-date information?
The information on this page has been obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIAID), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). You may check back here as we periodically update this information.
Our Resources page also has links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, City of Los Angeles, and World Health Organization for up-to-date information locally, nationally and worldwide.
The information on this page is provided for general, informational purposes and not personalized medical advice. Please contact your health care provider for medical advice specific to your situation and/or regarding getting the vaccine or booster. If you are having a medical emergency please call 911.