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If you have questions that aren’t answered on this page, call (215) 685-5488 or email publichealthinfo@phila.gov.
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What is COVID-19?
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the signs and symptoms as COVID-19.
How can you keep from catching COVID-19?
Read the CDC’s guidance on staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, how to protect yourself and others, and getting your COVID vaccine.
Read more about how to get vaccinated in Philadelphia.
How do you treat COVID-19?
Most people who have had COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever-reducing medicine.
If you are at high risk for severe disease (are overweight, have other medical conditions, or are over 50–with increasing risk as you get older), contact your healthcare provider immediately after you test positive. Treatments must start in the first few days of illness to help you get well.
What should you do if you think you have COVID-19?
Review the symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or another respiratory illness that aren’t better explained by another cause, stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick).
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours:
When you return to your normal activities, take added precautions for the next 5 days.
Are people who have recovered from COVID-19 immune to it? How do I know if I’ve been reinfected?
People who have had COVID-19 will have some short-term immunity to the virus, but those who had COVID-19 can become re-infected.
If you’ve recovered from a previous COVID-19 illness but develop new COVID-19 symptoms, you should isolate and test immediately with a rapid antigen test. You should test even if it’s been less than 90 days since your previous illness.
Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated.
If I have an underlying health condition such as diabetes or moderate to severe asthma, what should I do if I develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath?
People with serious underlying health problems are more likely to develop severe COVID-19. If you develop new symptoms, you should always consult with your personal physician or provider about types of treatment for people with underlying health problems. See the question above (How do you treat COVID-19?) for more information.
What is the current mask and vaccination guidance for K–12 schools and early childhood education settings?
Masks and COVID-19 vaccination are not required in schools. However, some schools may require masks when students and staff return after having a COVID-19 infection.
Children six months and older should get all their recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. Many locations in Philadelphia offer vaccinations.
Can young children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, children six months and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Health experts, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend age-appropriate updated vaccinations.
For children ages six months to 17 years, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended through shared clinical decision-making. This means parents or guardians should discuss the potential benefits with their child’s healthcare provider to make an informed decision together.
For more information, see Six Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs.
Children 5 years and older can get vaccines at many pharmacies, children 18 months and older can get vaccinated at retail care clinics, and children six months and older can get vaccinated at health centers or their pediatrician’s office. Before going, call ahead to make sure the location has the vaccine available.
Visit phila.gov/vaccine or vaccines.gov for a location near you.
Vaccines listed on the CDC’s Immunization Schedules, including those based on shared clinical decision-making, are generally covered by health insurance without any cost (no copay, coinsurance, or deductible). You should still confirm insurance coverage with your primary care provider and insurance carrier.
Are there any treatments for children with COVID-19?
Most children with COVID-19 get better with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicine.
If your child has trouble breathing, fast breathing, wheezing, chest muscle pulling, chest pain or pressure, inability to wake up or stay awake, weakness, signs of dehydration, or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately.
For children who have COVID-19 and are at risk of progressing to severe disease or are hospitalized, various treatment options may be available. Discuss these options with your pediatrician.
Can pregnant people get the vaccine?
Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to decrease illness and serious complications in pregnant people and their newborns. Overview from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Pregnant people have a higher chance of getting very sick from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. Pregnant people also have a higher chance of complications that can affect their pregnancy and developing baby, including pre-term birth or stillbirth.
Getting vaccinated during pregnancy can also help protect newborns, since babies can’t get their own COVID-19 shot until they’re six months or older.
Is getting sick with COVID-19 while pregnant dangerous for the growing fetus?
Getting COVID-19 while pregnant can increase the risk of delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant.
Getting vaccinated before or during pregnancy can help protect the growing fetus. It will also help protect babies younger than six months old from getting very sick from COVID-19 since they can’t get vaccinated until they are six months or older.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are babies born to people who had COVID-19 during pregnancy more likely to experience negative effects?
Yes. Babies born to people who had COVID-19 during pregnancy are more likely to be born early, be stillborn, or need advanced intensive care in the hospital.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid these problems. The vaccine is recommended for anyone six months and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are there any settings where masks are still required?
Many hospitals continue to require masks in certain areas with vulnerable populations or during illness surges. Other businesses or schools may require masking after testing positive.
When can employees who have had COVID-19 or possible COVID-19 return to work safely?
People who have COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 infection or another respiratory illness can return to work when, for 24 hours, the following are true:
When you return to your normal activities, take these added precautions for the next 5 days:
The more precautions you follow, the better.
For more information, see the CDC’s complete respiratory illness guidance.
Who should get tested?
Testing is a valuable prevention tool that helps you make decisions about how to protect yourself and others. However, testing is not always available to everyone. If you’re able to test, please test.
Our neighborhood resource hubs give out test kits.
For more information, see the CDC’s complete respiratory illness guidance.
Where can I get tested in Philadelphia?
If you think you should be tested for COVID-19, use our testing sites map and events calendar to find locations, contact information, and other requirements for testing sites in Philadelphia.
Pick up free rapid antigen home test kits at Health Department resource hubs.
If I previously tested positive, how do I know when I can stop isolating?
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours:
For more informtion, see the CDC’s complete respiratory illness guidance.
What else can I do to keep from getting sick?
We recommend following three core prevention strategies:
Some people also choose to follow additional prevention strategies, like:
What should I do if I feel sick?
See above: What should you do if you think you have COVID-19?
When can employees who have had COVID-19 or possible COVID-19 return to work safely?
Why should I get the vaccine?
Vaccines are a core prevention strategy to keep us, our loved ones, and our community safe from disease.
For more information, see How to Protect Yourself and Others.
How many doses of vaccine will I need?
Learn everything you need to know about staying up to date with your vaccines.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Is there a cost for the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines are part of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and continue to be free for all children up to age 18.
Most adults living in the U.S. have access to free updated COVID-19 vaccines through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. However, 25-30 million adults lack health insurance, and additional adult insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs.
Check your health insurance plan for coverage details to see if your plan covers a COVID-19 vaccine without cost-sharing at an in-network provider.
Visit Get your COVID-19 vaccine for updates on vaccines in Philadelphia.
Can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. Children six months and older can get the vaccine. Infants under six months of age have the highest hospitalization rates.
All moderately and severely immunocompromised children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. All other children can get the COVID-19 vaccine based on a shared decision between parents or guardians and the pediatrician.
Children at high risk for severe COVID-19 and hospitalization include those with certain medical conditions and children aged two and under who haven’t received the primary vaccine series.
Should I get the vaccine if I recently had COVID-19?
Yes, it is recommended that you be vaccinated even if you have had COVID-19. If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine dose by three months.
You can get vaccinated when, for at least 24 hours, both:
Even if you have already had COVID-19, you can get it again. Getting vaccinated may also help protect against long-term COVID-19.
How long does protection last against COVID-19 if I receive the vaccine?
No vaccine can protect 100% against infection. For most people who received an updated vaccine, there is good protection against severe disease. Since updated vaccines more closely match circulating variants, the Department of Public Health recommends everyone receive all vaccines for which they are eligible.
Read more guidance from the CDC about how to stay up to date with vaccines.
How does safety testing for vaccines work and how do we know the vaccine is safe?
Read about the CDC’s safety testing and monitoring of the vaccine.
Can I get COVID-19 from getting vaccinated?
No. The vaccines do not contain a living COVID-19 virus, so you cannot get infected. However, receiving the vaccine will greatly reduce your chances of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19.
Learn more about myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
What are the possible side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Most side effects from the vaccine are temporary and well tolerated. Read information from the CDC about possible side effects and helpful tips to treat them.
What happens if someone loses their vaccine card?
If you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccination record card, please see how to request your immunization record.
If you have further questions, call the Department of Public Health at (215) 685-5488 or publichealthinfo@phila.gov.
Is COVID-19 vaccination required in Philadelphia?
COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for Philadelphia residents. If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Where can I find COVID-19 vaccine data?
The Department of Public Health tracks the number of COVID-19 vaccines that are given in Philadelphia. To download this vaccine data, visit our OpenDataPhilly page.
For historical data, visit our archived COVID-19 data and documents page.
Visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for more information about COVID-19 vaccines.