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COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know
09/08/2022
Wegmans has partnered with state and local government officials to offer the COVID-19 vaccine in NY, PA, VA, NJ, MD, and MA.
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10/12/2022 Update: The FDA has authorized the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster vaccine for pediatrics made by both Pfizer and Moderna as a single booster dose at least two months following primary or booster vaccination. Pfizer-BioNTech has been authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 5 to 11 years old and Moderna has been authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 6 to 11 years old and individuals 12 to 17 years old.
Effective immediately, the FDA no longer authorizes the current monovalent mRNA vaccines as booster doses for those 5 to 11 years old.
Once we receive product in our stores, we will begin offering appointments and administering these doses to eligible individuals. Please continue to check back for more updates.
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Schedule an Appointment
Appointments for a COVID-19 vaccines must be reserved in advance. Customers can schedule an appointment by visiting Wegmans.com/pharmacy. Please have your insurance card available when scheduling your appointment.
What to Bring
You must bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other proof of vaccination if you did not receive your initial vaccination at Wegmans. It is recommended to bring a photo ID and your insurance card. Proof of qualifying condition is not required. Patients will be asked to self-attest to current CDC eligibility at time of vaccine appointment.
Vaccine Cost
There are no out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine or its administration, regardless of insurance coverage. If you have insurance, we will process the vaccine through your insurance provider.
Who’s Eligible
- Individuals ages 5 years and older who completed the primary series may receive a bivalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech 5+ or Moderna 6+) at least two months after completion of primary series or most recent booster dose
Who’s Eligible
The CDC recommends that individuals 5 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune system
When to Get the Third Dose
The CDC recommends the additional dose (from the same manufacturer of the original vaccine received) of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be administered at least 28 days after a second dose.
Wegmans is carrying the Moderna Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 3 and 4 at all locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey, and in select locations in New York.
Who’s Eligible
- Individuals ages 3 and 4 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 pediatric vaccine at Wegmans Pharmacy. For this age group, we are offering the Moderna pediatric vaccine.
- Individuals ages 5 to 11 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We are offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for this age group.
Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
*Individuals looking for a COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children ages 6 months to 2 years old should contact their pediatrician.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5 to 11
Is the vaccine for this age group different from the adult vaccine?
Yes. Children ages 5 through 11 years receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third of the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
What side effects might my child experience after receiving the vaccine?
Similar to the side effects of the adult vaccine, children may experience pain, redness, or swelling on the arm where they get the shot. They may also experience tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, or nausea.
COVID-19 Booster Shots
Should everyone get a COVID-19 booster dose?
- Monovalent
- Individuals ages 5 to 11 years who received the Pfizer-BioNTech primary series may receive a monovalent booster dose five months after completing the primary series.
- Bivalent
- Individuals ages 12 years and older who completed the primary series may receive a bivalent booster dose at least two months after completion of primary series or most recent booster dose
Third Dose for Immunocompromised Individuals
Why do some immunocompromised people need an additional dose?
Studies have shown a reduced immune response and reduced vaccine effectiveness in these individuals. Furthermore, they have a higher rate of infection even after vaccination compared to the general population.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time?
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations.
Can I trust the vaccine? Is it safe?
The clinical data indicates it is safe and effective which led to FDA’s emergency use authorization of the vaccine. Safety is the most important priority while federal partners work to make the vaccine available and the US Vaccine Safety System ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
When you get vaccinated, a normal immune response occurs. It does not mean you are sick; it means your immune system is activated and working to produce antibodies that fight off infection, should your body be exposed to that particular virus. Side effects could include a sore injection site, body aches, and less frequently a mild headache or low-grade fever. These are no different than receiving the influenza vaccine and when they do occur, usually last about 24 hours.
Will I have to get a booster dose every year like the flu vaccine?
At this point it is unclear as to whether or not this is going to become an annual vaccine, we are awaiting further guidance from the CDC.
Is there live COVID-19 virus in the vaccine?
None of the COVID-19 vaccines under development use the live virus that cause COVID-19.
If I had COVID-19, do I still need the vaccine?
Getting vaccinated after recovery from a COVID-19 infection provides additional protection. You can consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months from when your symptoms started, or from when you received a positive test if you had no symptoms.