In the U.S., all persons 6 months and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 and the Moderna vaccine. Persons 18 years of age and older are eligible to receive the Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine series for this age group is a three-dose series, with the second dose administered three weeks after the first, and the third dose eight weeks after the second. Follow-up doses will be scheduled at the visits. As with other COVID-19 vaccines, children will be observed for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine. 

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization and the CDC has issued guidelines for booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 and older. Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to individuals 5 and older.

People who received Pfizer in this group may receive a booster shot no sooner than 5 months after their second vaccination. People who received Moderna may receive a booster shot no sooner than 6 months after their second vaccination. For detailed information about these recommendations, visit CDC.gov.

For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

The Pfizer vaccine is now fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 16 years and older. The vaccine continues to be available to 6 months - 15 years of age under emergency use authorization. Please review FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for more information about the approval process.

The Moderna vaccine is now fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 18 years and older. The vaccine continues to be available to 6 months -17 years of age under emergency use authorization. Please review FDA approval of the Moderna vaccine for more information about the approval process.

The Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax vaccines continue to be available for people 18 and older through emergency use authorization. This authorization by the FDA follows a rigorous review of safety and effectiveness data gathered through large clinical trials.

Vaccines are cleared for Emergency Use Authorization after rigorous review by FDA based on scientific evidence about safety and effectiveness gathered through large clinical trials. 

Please review the Moderna Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), Pfizer Emergency Use Authorization (EAU), Janssen Emergency Use Authorization (EAU) and Novavax Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for detailed information about the vaccines.

Learn more about v-safe, a vaccination health checker.

Following CDC recommendations, University Health is currently offering 3rd dose shots of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for persons who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

According to the CDC, this group includes some people receiving cancer treatments, organ and stem cell transplant recipients, persons with severe immunodeficiency or untreated HIV infection, or those taking medications that may suppress the immune system. These people may not have had a strong immune response to the vaccine, so the CDC recommends a third dose.

The CDC recommends immunocompromised persons receive their 3rd dose shot no sooner than four weeks after their 2nd dose.

If you received your vaccination at any University Health locations, you can access your vaccine record through your MyChart account. If you have the MyChart app, your vaccine verification will be easy to access anytime on your mobile phone. 

1. Log into your MyChart account from a desktop computer or mobile device.
2. Select the Menu Bar.
3. In the search bar type “covid”.
4. In the “My Record” section, select “COVID-19”.
5. Once the COVID-19 activity section opens, your vaccine record will show. Click the vaccine line to see more details about your vaccine(s).

Need to sign up for MyChart? Follow these easy steps to enroll today.

ImmTrac

If you received your COVID-19 vaccine through University Health or another provider, you can obtain your immunization records, including your COVID-19 vaccine, from the Texas Department of State Health Services program, ImmTrac. 

1. Go to www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/immtrac/clients.shtm.
2. Click on “Request an Immunization Record” link.
3. Download and complete the form.
4. Send completed form to the DSHS Immunization Unit address listed on the website.
5. Additional information is available on the website or call Toll-Free at 1-866-624-0180.

You need to bring an ID and wear a face mask.

For children, any document that has their name and date of birth such as birth certificate, school and vaccine record could be used as proof of child's age.

Persons coming to receive a booster shot must bring their vaccine card or log on to their MyChart account to show which vaccine they have already received and when they were vaccinated.

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization and the CDC has issued guidelines for booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 and older. Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to individuals 5 and older.

People who received Pfizer in this group may receive a booster shot no sooner than 5 months after their second vaccination. People who received Moderna may receive a booster shot no sooner than 6 months after their second vaccination. For detailed information about these recommendations, visit CDC.gov.

For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

If you are two months past your J&J vaccination, you are eligible to receive a booster. You may mix and match with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or you may have another J&J. All people 18 and older who received a J&J are eligible.

Yes. The FDA and CDC approved a mix-and-match approach. When deciding to mix and match, you should consider benefits and risks with each vaccine. Keep in mind that:

• There’s been some evidence of myocarditis among males 18 - 30 years old after a second dose of mRNA vaccine; slightly higher incidence after Moderna compared to Pfizer. There have been no deaths and people fully recover within six months. However, there have been far more, and more serious, cases of myocarditis and other serious inflammatory issues in young people who have contracted COVID-19.
• There have been 47 cases of blood clots with the J&J vaccine, out of 15.3 million doses; with a higher incidence in females aged 30-39. 

Yes. The booster dose is a half dose, as was approved by the FDA and CDC.

University Health has been providing third shots of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for persons who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. According to the CDC, this group includes some people receiving cancer treatments, organ and stem cell transplant recipients, persons with severe immunodeficiency or untreated HIV infection, or those taking medications that may suppress their immune system. These people may not have had a strong immune response to the vaccine, so the CDC recommends a third dose in the series, as opposed to the two-dose series for others. The CDC recommends immunocompromised persons receive their 3rd dose shot no sooner than four weeks after their 2nd dose. Boosters are shots in addition to the initial shot or series for people with a normal immune response to the vaccine, and may be recommended months or even years after the initial series.

Yes, teens who are 16 and 17 years old are still considered minors and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes, it’s not necessary to put any time between the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, said Dr. Bryan Alsip, University Health chief medical officer.

There are markers on the ground and security to ensure that physical distancing is being followed.

They will schedule your second dose at your appointment for the first dose.

COVID-19 vaccinations may be administered to those with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination should be deferred until recovery from acute illness (if person had symptoms) and criteria have been met to discontinue isolation. However, there is no minimal interval between infection and vaccination. Evidence suggests that reinfection is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection, so individuals may defer vaccination until the end of this period, if desired, but it is a not a requirement to receive the vaccine.

Side effects of a COVID-19 vaccination can be fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and pain or swelling in the arm where you got your shot. These are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects can be worse after the second dose but, usually resolve in a few days. Consult with your doctor about taking any over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with these symptoms or if you are still experiencing side effects after a few days.

Even after vaccination it’s important to keep using a mask or face-covering and keeping your distance when around others outside your home, and washing your hands often to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as we continue to learn more about immunity and protection provided by these vaccines.