COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 that was first discovered in 2019. It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, released when someone who is infected talks, sings, coughs, sneezes, or breathes. You get COVID-19 by breathing in the virus or less often by touching surfaces and objects that have the virus on it then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.

COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). COVID-19 can also be spread by airborne transmission at distances greater than 6 feet. This happens within enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation. Although many people who get COVID-19 are only mildly sick with cough and fever, some people become sick enough that they need to be hospitalized, and some people die from this infection.

The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. This means you have received all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine including booster dose(s) when eligible.

Read the CDC’s guidance on being up to date and how to protect yourself and others.

Read more about how to get vaccinated in Philadelphia.

If you are at high risk for severe disease (are overweight or have medical conditions), you may be able to get treatment. Contact a healthcare provider to find out about eligibility. Even if you do not feel very sick now, you should still contact your healthcare provider immediately after you test positive. Treatments must start in the first few days of illness to help you get well. Your healthcare provider will decide which, if any, of these treatments are appropriate to treat your illness.

• Oral antiviral medications target specific parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and can help reduce its spread through a person’s body. They have been shown to prevent severe COVID. They are intended for individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
• Monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 are a treatment given by infusion or injection. If you are at high risk for severe disease, monoclonal antibodies can help prevent hospitalization and death in people with mild COVID-19. The medication works best if you receive it as soon as possible after infection. Discuss this therapy with your medical provider. They may be able to reach out to an affiliated hospital to help you receive treatment.
• Call your healthcare provider to discuss if oral antibodies or monoclonaloral antivirals could help you. For healthcare providers, please see this Health Advisory (PDF) for more information.
• Most people who have had COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever medicine like Tylenol/acetaminophen.
• If you have trouble breathing, worsening cough, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department immediately.

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral treatment that has been shown to prevent severe COVID-19. This treatment is intended for individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk of getting severe COVID-19. See more information in How do you treat COVID-19?

There have been recent reports of people getting better after taking Paxolovid, but then test positive or have symptoms return within 2 weeks of their initial infection. This is referred to as rebound and is still being studied, though those who have had rebound COVID-19 report mild illness lasting 3 days on average.  The CDC has said that rebound does not mean that the oral antiviral didn’t work and still recommends Paxlovid for those at high risk of getting severe COVID-19.

If you experience COVID-19 rebound, you should follow CDC’s isolation guidance. Isolate again and restart the recommended 5-day isolation period starting with symptom onset or positive test result, whichever is earlier. You can end re-isolation after 5 days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. You should also wear a mask for 10 days after rebound.

Contact a healthcare provider if your COVID-19 rebound symptoms persist or worsen.

Consult with your healthcare provider if you have additional questions about your treatment.

Review symptoms of COVID-19. If you have mild symptoms, stay home, rest, and avoid contact with others until you feel completely better:

• It is best to stay in a separate room and use your own bathroom if available.
• Wear a face mask when around other people.
• Remember to wash your hands often.
• Call your personal health care provider or the Health Department to determine exactly when it is safe for you to leave your home. You also consult the Health Department’s Calculating Isolation and Quarantine Period.
• Your healthcare provider can also prescribe treatment if necessary.
• For information on how to get tested, see Getting tested.

It’s possible that people who have had COVID-19 can become re-infected. People who have had COVID-19 will have some immunity to the virus. Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.

• If you have COVID-19 like symptoms MORE than 90 days after recovering from COVID-19, you should be tested.
• If you develop new COVID-19 symptoms within the 90 days after the initial infection, especially within 45 days of the initial infection, and an alternative explanation cannot be found, consult with your medical provider about an alternative diagnosis. In the meantime, you should isolate.
• If you previously tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 and you test positive AFTER 90 days, this should be treated as a new case.

People with serious underlying health problems should always consult with their personal physician or provider when they develop new symptoms. This does not mean that you have COVID-19, but it does mean that you might need to be checked for other possible infections or health issues.

Find out about COVID-19 variants and subvariants.

See Schools (K-12) and early childhood education guidance.

Yes. The CDC has authorized the Pfizer vaccine to protect children ages 5 to 11 from COVID-19. The FDA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended that children 5 years and older be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.

The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective for these children after review by the FDA and CDC. This vaccine is one third of the dosage of the regular Pfizer vaccine and is administered with a smaller needle. You can find the vaccine for your child at any at City-run sites and other vaccination clinics, most pharmacies, health centers, and many pediatricians’ offices. Some pediatricians recommend calling ahead to make sure they have the vaccine. Also check phila.gov/vaccine and vaccines.gov.

For more information, read our blog post: Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine is Now Available in Philadelphia.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children 5-17 years old at this time. Anyone 18 and older can receive either Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.

In Philadelphia, children ages 11-17 can consent for their own COVID-19 vaccination, subject to the vaccine provider’s determination that they can provide informed consent. This aligns with a longstanding City policy that allows children ages 11 and above to consent for vaccines, without approval or consent of a parent or guardian. On May 14, the Board of Health ruled that this also applies to a vaccine with an FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Children under the age of 11 must have a parent or guardian present to be vaccinated. Accepted documentation to confirm a child’s age includes one of the following: 

• Access school or health care portals via phone. 
• Copy of school or sports health forms. 
• Insurance cards.
• Passports. 
• Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate. 
• Any other documents with the child’s name and date of birth. 

Please note: Not all sites will vaccinate people under the age of 16. Make sure to call ahead to confirm a vaccination site has Pfizer vaccine and will vaccinate your child.  

In Philadelphia, children ages 11 and above can consent for their own COVID-19 vaccination, subject to the vaccine provider’s determination that they can provide informed consent. This aligns with a longstanding City policy that allows children ages 11 and above to consent for vaccines, without approval or consent of a parent or guardian. On May 14, the Board of Health ruled that this also applies to a vaccine with an FDA Emergency Use Authorization. 

Accepted documentation to confirm a child’s age includes one of the following:

• Access school or health care portals via phone
• Copy of school or sports health forms
• Insurance Cards
• Passports
• Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate
• Any other documents with the child’s name and date of birth.

Please note: Not all sites will vaccinate people under the age of 16. Make sure to call ahead to confirm a vaccination site has Pfizer vaccine and will vaccinate your child.

Minors should bring a record of their birthdate to the vaccination site. This can include a school ID, a patient portal app, school app, or any other document/ID/picture that has both the child’s name and date of birth. A parent can also verify date of birth if present at the vaccination appointment. 

Visit the CDC website for a complete list of COVID-19 symptoms in children.

Visit the CDC website for up-to-date information about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

Children are more likely to have mild symptoms. Rarely, children can get very sick with COVID-19, resulting in hospitalization and even death. Like adults, children who have underlying health conditions are at greater risk of getting severe COVID-19.

The FDA has given Emergency Use Authorization for monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals to children 12 years and older. Please see “How do you treat COVID-19?” (above).

• Most children who have had COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever medicine like Tylenol/acetaminophen.
• If your child has trouble breathing, worsening cough, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the Emergency department immediately.

It’s very important that families stay connected to their pediatrician and their medical home. Pediatricians are taking​ steps to make sure it’s as safe as possible for visits that need to happen in person. Calling ahead is important so your pediatrician can advise you on the best way to come in.

Find out more about when to contact your child’s pediatrician.

Email vaccines@phila.gov with any questions about vaccination during the pandemic.

The shot can cause swollen lymph nodes for a few days to weeks. This swelling is a normal reaction that your body is building protection to the virus that causes COVID-19 and is NOT a sign of cancer. However, these swollen lymph nodes could cause a false reading on a mammogram. This means that something looks abnormal on the test but doesn’t mean that you have cancer. To avoid these false readings, you should wait 4-6 weeks after your vaccine to get your screening, or annual mammogram. If your doctor is ordering a test because you have breast cancer, or because a previous test looking for breast cancer was abnormal, you should not delay your test. Tell your doctor when you had your shot so that they are aware.

Yes. In fact, the CDC is urging pregnant people and those trying to get pregnant now or planning to become pregnant in the future, as well as individuals who are breastfeeding to get vaccinated. Although the overall risks are low, pregnant individuals or recently pregnant individuals are more likely to get sick from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant.

Pregnant individuals and those who have recently been pregnant are also more likely to get severely ill if they get the COVID-19 virus compared with non-pregnant people. There is also some risk of having a premature birth for a pregnant person who has gotten the COVID virus. For these reasons, the CDC is recommending getting a COVID-19 vaccination which will provide protection from COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

Just like other systems in the body, the immune system undergoes normal changes during pregnancy, which may make the mother more likely to catch viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.  Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk for ICU admission, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (requiring a tube down the throat to breathe), and, in some cases, death.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

Adverse infant outcomes such as preterm birth have been reported among infants born to people positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. Recent research has identified that contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) and/or stillborn infant.

Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth, has been observed in cases of infection with other related coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, during pregnancy. High fevers during the first trimester of pregnancy can also increase the risk of birth defects.  If you require emergency care, do not delay your care due to fears of COVID-19.  If you are going to the emergency department, if possible call and tell them that you are pregnant and are having an emergency.  The emergency department will have a plan to protect you from getting COVID-19.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

Pregnant healthcare providers (HCP) should follow strict infection control guidelines if exposed to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Following recommended infection prevention and control practices is an important part of protecting all HCP.

Information on COVID-19 in pregnancy is very limited; facilities may want to consider limiting exposure of pregnant HCP to patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, especially during high-risk procedures (e.g., aerosol-generating procedures) if possible based on staffing availability.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly by close contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets or small particles released when someone who is sick talks, sings, coughs, sneezes, or breathes.  You get COVID-19 by breathing in the virus or less often by touching surfaces and objects that have the virus on it then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.  COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet, or 2 adult arms lengths).

There are reports of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV 2 from pregnant people to their newborns. This means that it is possible for a newborn to be infected before birth. It is very rare however. Most of these cases occurred when people were infected in their third trimester. We do not yet have much information about people who were infected early on in their pregnancy.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

Based on limited reports, adverse infant outcomes (e.g., preterm birth) have been reported among infants born to people positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, it is not clear if this was related to the parent’s infection so the risk of adverse infant outcomes is not known.

Given limited available research, knowledge of pregnancy outcomes from other respiratory viral infections may provide some information. For example, influenza during pregnancy has been associated with negative outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth. Additionally, having a cold or influenza with a high fever early in pregnancy may increase the risk of certain birth defects. Infants have been born preterm and/or small for gestational age to people with other coronavirus infections (like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) during pregnancy.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

Most newborns who tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 had mild or no symptoms and recovered. However, there are a few reports of newborns with severe COVID-19 illness. At this time, there is no information on long-term health effects on infants either with COVID-19, or those exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 during pregnancy. In general, prematurity and low birth weight are associated with adverse long-term health effects.

Those who are interested in receiving the vaccine should speak with their OB-GYN or regular healthcare provider if they have questions.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are breastfeeding.

No information is available on whether the virus can be passed on through breastmilk. However, early research studies have found no evidence of virus in the breastmilk of people with COVID-19.

You, along with your family and healthcare providers, should decide whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding. Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most babies.

However, a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to the infant during feeding, including washing hands before touching the infant and wearing a facemask while feeding at the breast. You should NOT place a face mask on your baby. If expressing breastmilk with a breast pump, the parent should wear a face mask while pumping, wash their hands before touching any pump or bottle parts, and follow the recommendation for proper pump cleaning after each use.

If possible, consider having someone who is healthy, is not at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and is living in the same home feed the expressed breast milk to the infant. Any caregiver feeding the baby should wear a face mask when caring for the baby for the entire time you are in isolation and for 2 weeks after you complete isolation.

• Any time you or a family member are going into an environment where the people present are more likely to have health risks, like a nursing home.
• In a small space with multiple people, like a car pool.
• In a location with multiple people entering and exiting, like a train, bus, or grocery store.
• Any time you or your family member are around individuals who are not or cannot be vaccinated, like daycare or preschools.
• When you or a family member are in an indoor space with many other people that involves physical exertion, like the gym.

Yes. Even without a City mandate, businesses and other institutions are allowed to be stricter than the City’s COVID-19 policies. Some businesses may require proof of vaccination or require that everyone wears a mask.

Schools may set their own mask policies, and it is strongly encouraged that students and teachers continue to keep each other safe by wearing a mask.

Masks are still required in healthcare settings and congregate settings such as nursing homes and shelters.

No. Someone with COVID-19 may unknowingly spread it while wearing this type of mask. That’s because these masks are designed to help you exhale more easily. But the valve/vent allows you to breathe out unfiltered air. These masks do not protect other people in your vicinity from your respiratory droplets. Read more at the CDC’s guide to masks.

People who have COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 infection should stay out of work until all of the following are true:

1. It has been at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms AND
2. They have been fever-free without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours AND
3. Their symptoms are improving.
4. Masks MUST be worn at all times upon return to work for another 5 days. If individuals won’t be able to mask and eat in a room alone, they shouldn’t return to work until 10 days after symptom onset.

Please do not require proof of COVID-19 testing either to qualify for sick leave or to return to work. Tests can remain positive for weeks after infection due to dead virus remaining in the body, but this does not mean that people are contagious.

The Health Department recommends getting tested for COVID-19:

• If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Get tested immediately. If your test result is positive, you must isolate. For more information, see Calculating isolation and quarantine period (PDF).
• If you have recently attended a large indoor event.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you’re about to visit someone at high risk, such as an elderly relative. Take a rapid test before seeing them.
• If you’re about to travel. Take a test, especially if you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.

In any of these instances, if your test result is positive, reschedule your plans and isolate.  Read more about isolation here.

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.

If you were tested at a location that is not a hospital or City health center, you should be able to get your test results on the laboratory’s patient portal. If you have additional questions about your results, contact the organization or location at which you were tested.

• Bioreference Laboratories
• LabCorp
• Quest Diagnostics

• Depending on what laboratory performs your test, it may take 1-6 days to learn your results. During that time, get rest, stay hydrated, and stay at home away from all people while you have symptoms. Read our guidance about Calculating isolation and quarantine period (PDF).
• Monitor for symptoms — if you feel short of breath or have a worsening cough or persistent fever (a temperature of 100.4 or greater), call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency department.
• If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital emergency department immediately:
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
  • New confusion.
  • Inability to wake or stay awake.
  • Bluish lips or face.
• If you must be near other people, wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth.

If you have had symptoms of COVID-19, you may stop isolating after 5 days have passed since your symptoms started AND you have had no fever without fever-lowering medicine for at least 24 hours AND other symptoms (like cough and shortness of breathing) are improving.

If you have NOT had symptoms of COVID-19, you may stop isolating 5 days after your positive test was collected.

Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

Note that instructions are different for those with severely weakened immune systems; healthcare workers; and residents of long-term care facilities, shelters, or other congregate settings. If you fall into one of these categories, speak to your healthcare provider or call the Health Department at (215) 685-5488 for more information about when you can end isolation.

The Health Department is calling and sending texts and emails to contact individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who may have come in contact with a person with COVID-19.

Individuals are asked to complete a brief survey to help the Health Department better understand and monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. Questions address demographic details, signs and symptoms, and information about exposure history, travel, and hospitalization. Participation is voluntary.

When case counts regularly exceed approximately 250 cases a day, the Health Department may not be able to reach out to every case and contact for contact tracing.

Read the CDC recommendations for when you’ve been fully vaccinated.

• Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should get tested.
• Anyone who is positive for COVID-19 must isolate according to CDC guidelines.
• After vaccination you are strongly recommended to wear a tight-fitting mask while in indoor public spaces such as restaurants, offices, and public transportation.

If you were in or near a large crowd–even if you wore a mask–AND you are vaccinated:

• To prevent possible spread to your loved ones and those in your community who are vulnerable, you should get tested for COVID-19 after having been in or near a crowd.
• While waiting for results, stay away from others, especially those who are at high risk of getting severe disease and the elderly.
• If you are positive, isolate. Read more about testing and isolation.
• If you cannot stay home, be sure to wear a well-fitted mask and keep your distance.
• Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms like new-onset fever, cough, or shortness of breath for 10 days.

Besides getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose, the best way to protect yourself from getting sick and to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good health habits.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Wet your hands with running water, lather them with soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. After rinsing, dry your hands with a clean towel.
  • Learn how to properly wash your hands in the CDC’s video on handwashing.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
  • If you are using hand sanitizer, choose an alcohol-based product (60 percent alcohol or higher is recommended). Pour some into your palm and then rub it all over your hands and fingers until it dries (about 20 seconds).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
  • If you don’t have a tissue, try to cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Throw away used tissues as soon as possible.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching used tissues.
• Avoid touching your face if you haven’t washed your hands.
• Avoid sharing drinks and eating utensils like forks and spoons.
• Get a flu shot every year.

If you think you have COVID-19:

• If you have mild symptoms, stay home, rest, and avoid contact with others until you feel completely better.
• Use an at-home test. Order your free COVID-19 tests.
• Some people with mild COVID-19 will benefit from treatment with monoclonal antibodies or antiviral pills, which can help prevent hospitalization and death. You can discuss this treatment with your healthcare provider.

People who should be tested, regardless of age, include:

• People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• People with COVID-19 symptoms.

If you do not have tests at home, you can find a testing site.

If you have questions about COVID-19 symptoms (common symptoms are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue), call the 24/7 helpline at (800) 722-7112.

For information, see:

Someone who is actively having trouble breathing such as an asthma attack should take off their face mask and use their asthma medication or get medical attention if needed.

People with asthma or other breathing problems are at higher risk from COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccination is highly recommended. They may need to try different types of masks to find one they are comfortable wearing. The type of cloth and the number of layers makes a big difference. Surgical/paper masks may be easier for some people to tolerate than cloth masks.

Those who are unable to remove a face mask on their own and children younger than 2 years should not wear a face mask.

While transporting the patient, both the patient and the driver should wear face masks. The masks should cover their noses and mouths and they should avoid touching the masks and their faces. The patient should sit as far as possible from the driver, in the right-hand back seat.

No one other than the driver and the patient should ride in the vehicle. During transport, vehicle ventilation should be on non-recirculated mode to maximize air changes that reduce potentially infectious particles in the vehicle.

Anyone who is in isolation or quarantine should try to stay away from other people in the home. Only one person should take care of the person in isolation or quarantine. This person should be the only person to have direct contact with the patient or their room.

The patient should have their own separate bedroom and bathroom if that’s an option. The patient should wear a face mask when they are around other people. Everyone in the home should wash their hands often. Surfaces that are frequently touched by the patient should be cleaned with a household disinfectant at least daily.

We strongly recommend getting vaccinated, as it significantly decreases the chance of you getting COVID-19 disease and is very effective at preventing hospitalization and death.

If you do not get vaccinated, you put not only yourself at risk, but also those you love or care about. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.

All Philadelphians who meet the age requirements are eligible to get the vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for individuals 5 years and above. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently authorized for individuals 18 years and above. Other COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization are also acceptable forms of vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccine had previously been distributed in phases in Philadelphia. The phases were based on a person’s level of risk of acquiring infection, transmitting infection to vulnerable persons, or suffering severe consequences of infection.

There are many ways to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Here are some options:

• Find a vaccination clinic in Philadelphia.
• Check with your doctor’s office to see if they are offering vaccine. Hospital systems and Federally Qualified Health Centers offer vaccine to their own patients and many also hold vaccine events for community members.
• Pharmacies across the city offer COVID-19 vaccine. Most local pharmacies will give second shots to people who are due or overdue, regardless of where you got your first dose. Check with your local pharmacy for details.
• Check with your employer to see if they are planning to host a vaccine clinic with a pharmacy partner.
• Look for opportunities with community providers (Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium and other awardees of the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program Request for Proposals).

An acceptable COVID-19 vaccine is one that has been authorized or approved by either the Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization to prevent COVID-19, whether for emergency use or otherwise.

Note about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: On December 16, 2021, the CDC endorsed updated recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of COVID-19.  ACIP expressed a clinical preference for individuals to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The update came in response to the risk of a rare but potentially fatal blood clot side effect. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine works differently than either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and this blood clotting side effect has not been seen in people who got mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna)..

Individuals who are unable or unwilling to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will continue to have access to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.

See Health Department Issues Statement on Updated CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation.

Yes. The vaccines are very effective against symptomatic COVID-19 illness. Vaccine efficacy is determined by comparing the number of symptomatic cases in vaccinated people to the number of symptomatic cases in unvaccinated people.

The vaccine efficacy trials were performed in different populations at different times, so it is impossible to directly compare the available vaccines. For the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19, Pfizer vaccine efficacy rate is reported as 95%, Moderna vaccine efficacy rate is 94.1%, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine efficacy rate is 66% (although 72% in the United States). These are all very good efficacy rates for vaccines. In contrast, influenza vaccines are about 40-60% effective.

All COVID-19 vaccines were highly effective (over 89%) against COVID-19 severe enough to require hospitalization. In the vaccine trials, no participants who received a COVID-19 vaccine died from COVID-19.

In these trials, efficacy of the vaccine was similar across demographic groups, including those with different ages, races and ethnicities, and underlying health conditions.

The CDC has been continuously monitoring the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. During Omicron, the CDC has identified that COVID-19 associated hospitalization rates increased for all adults, regardless of vaccination status. However, rates were 12 times higher among adults who were unvaccinated compared to adults who received booster or additional doses.

There is also evidence that the mRNA vaccines continued to be highly effective at protecting against COVID-19 associated invasive ventilation (the need for a breathing tube) or death. CDC has identified that the protection was highest in adults who received the third dose, reducing the risk of COVID-19 associated ventilation or death during the Omicron period by 94%.

For more information, see CDC Newsroom: COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults.

The Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine is one dose. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks afterward. CDC recommends people to receive the first booster shot at least 2 months after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson primary series.

Learn more about Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines require 2 doses. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your second dose. It is recommended to start and finish with the same vaccine brand for the primary series.

CDC recommends that people receive the first booster shot at least 5 months after the last dose (second dose) of the primary series (second dose).

Learn more about the Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccine.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines that require 2 shots.

If you are immunocompromised, you should receive an additional primary dose prior to booster shots.

After you receive the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine, an additional primary dose with of mRNA vaccine should be provided at least 4 weeks afterward. The first booster shot should be administered at least 2 months after the additional primary dose of mRNA vaccine. The second booster shot may be administered at least 4 months from the first booster dose.

After you complete the 2-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, an additional primary dose should be administered at least 4 weeks after the second dose. The first booster shot may be administered at least 3 months from the additional primary dose. The second booster shot may be administered at least 4 months from the first booster dose.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, see Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States.

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to everyone ages 5 and older. 

Read more guidance from the CDC about booster eligibility.

Find out more about getting booster shots in Philadelphia.

Certain groups of people may receive the second booster shot:

• Individuals 50 years of age and older.
• Immunocompromised individuals 12 to 17 years old (Pfizer only).
• Immunocompromised individuals 18 years and older.
• Adults aged 18 to 49 years who received the primary vaccine and booster dose of the Janssen J&J vaccine.

Note: The second booster shot must be an mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

For more information, see Second mRNA Booster Dose for COVID-19 (PDF).

All vaccines work by preparing your immune system, so that the body can respond more quickly when exposed to an unwanted invader. This reduces your chances of getting sick.

The main ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccines is a code with instructions to make an important protein found on the COVID-19 virus. In the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the code is messenger RNA (mRNA) and is protected by a fat layer. In the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the code is a gene and is carried inside a harmless virus that cannot cause infection.

The code to make the virus protein is only used for a short time and cannot enter the nucleus core of our cells or change the DNA of a person. Once this virus protein is made, our body’s immune cells are trained to recognize it, and protect us from getting sick if we are exposed to the COVID-19 virus in the future.

It depends. You can get free vaccine at City health centers and pop-up clinics if you are uninsured or have insurance. You don’t need to provide identification to get a vaccine at these locations.

Other sites, like pharmacies, may bill your insurance company or charge you a direct fee. Call these sites before you go to find out about their policies.

Yes. The CDC has authorized a vaccine that protects children ages 5 to 11 from COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective for these children after review by the FDA and CDC. This vaccine is one third of the dosage of the regular Pfizer vaccine and is administered with a smaller needle. You will soon be able to find the vaccine for your child at any at City-run sites and other vaccination clinics, most pharmacies, health centers, and many pediatricians’ offices. Some pediatricians recommend calling ahead to make sure they have the vaccine. Also check vaccines.gov.

The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved in the fall for use in children aged 12 to 15 at City-run sites and other vaccination clinics in Philadelphia. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children 12 years and above at this time.

In Philadelphia, children ages 12-17 can consent for their own COVID-19 vaccination, subject to the vaccine provider’s determination that they can provide informed consent. This aligns with a longstanding City policy that allows children ages 11 and above to consent for vaccines, without approval or consent of a parent or guardian. On May 14, the Board of Health ruled that this also applies to a vaccine with an FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Children under the age of 11 must have a parent or guardian present to be vaccinated. Accepted documentation to confirm a child’s age includes one of the following: 

• Access school or health care portals via phone. 
• Copy of school or sports health forms. 
• Insurance cards.
• Passports. 
• Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate. 
• Any other documents with the child’s name and date of birth. 

Please note: Not all sites will vaccinate people under the age of 16. Make sure to call ahead to confirm a vaccination site has Pfizer vaccine and will vaccinate your child.  

We do not know what level of antibodies in the blood indicates protection from COVID-19. Therefore, it is recommended that you be vaccinated even if you have antibodies in your blood.

If you recently had COVID-19, you must wait until you are cleared from isolation to protect staff and other individuals at the vaccination site. You also must not be under quarantine after COVID-19 exposure.

Yes. We do not know how long someone is protected after getting sick and recovering from COVID; this is called natural immunity. More studies are needed to understand how long natural immunity to COVID-19 will last. It is recommended to get the vaccine for the best chance of protection from COVID-19 in the future.

A CDC study in October 2021 showed that people who had survived a previous COVID-19 infection were five times more likely to be reinfected compared to people who were fully vaccinated. 

However, if you recently had COVID-19, you must wait until you are cleared from isolation to protect staff and other individuals at the vaccination site. For most people, this means that at least 10 days have passed since first developing symptoms, symptoms have improved, and fever has resolved for at least 24 hours. You may need to isolate longer if you are severely ill or immunocompromised. You also must not be under quarantine after being in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you were treated for COVID-19 illness with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Please talk to your doctor if you have questions about the treatments you received.

Researchers have seen a decrease in vaccine effectiveness after 6 months, although the vaccine continues to show significant effectiveness against severe illnesses. Experts speculate this may be caused by waning immunity. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to receive the booster shot to counteract the reduced immunity.

The CDC has recommended that people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine get booster doses after 5 months. People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster dose after 2 months. However, if you are immunocompromised or in a certain age group, you may receive the second booster shot. Please check with your provider for further details.  

The safety of a vaccine is determined by watching for side effects or complications in people who have received immunization with the vaccine. Post-vaccination observation for side effects occurs both during the research studies and when the vaccine is in widespread use. Almost all adverse events that are associated with vaccines occur within 6 weeks following the immunization. That is why the COVID-19 vaccine trials required eight weeks of observation for vaccine recipients before deciding that the vaccines are safe.

There is also continued monitoring for very rare side effects when the vaccine is in widespread use. Long term side effects are not expected since the code to make the virus protein in the vaccine is only used for a short time before breaking down. This code cannot enter the nucleus core of our cells or change the DNA of a person.

Having a safe and effective vaccine is a top priority in Philadelphia. Approving vaccines as safe, and making sure they work, is the responsibility of the FDA and CDC. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other groups look at information about a vaccine and make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of using it. The Health Department is committed to making vaccine available only after we are confident that it is safe and effective.

The large clinical trials for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines included about 3,000 Black or African American participants each, about 10% of the total. The Johnson & Johnson trials had about 6,500 Black or African American participants, or just under 20% of the total. There were also a large number of Hispanic/Latinx and other participants of color.

See the breakdown of racial and ethnic categories below for each vaccine:

• Pfizer
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson

In these trials, efficacy of the vaccine was consistent across demographic groups and there were no safety concerns when these groups were individually analyzed.

No. There are no known drug interactions with the COVID-19 vaccine. If you still have concerns, talk to your healthcare or vaccine provider.

No. The COVID-19 vaccine will not give you COVID-19 infection. There is no living COVID-19 virus in the vaccines now available. Receiving the vaccine, however, will greatly reduce your chances of getting sick from COVID-19 in the future.

Potential short-term side effects include:

• A sore arm.
• General muscle aches.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Chills.
• Fever.

These side effects are signals that your immune system is working.

You should not get the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine if you have had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any ingredient in the specific COVID-19 vaccine you are receiving or a previous dose of the vaccine.

Read more guidance from the CDC about booster eligibility.

Find out more about getting booster shots in Philadelphia.

If you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccination record card, please see How to request an immunization record (PDF).

If you have further questions, call the Health Department at (215) 685-5488 or covid@phila.gov.

No. COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory in Philadelphia. If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, please discuss them with your healthcare provider.

While there is no mandate in Philadelphia requiring everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated, individual organizations and businesses may require employees to get vaccinated in order to work at these establishments. In addition, all healthcare workers and students and employees at institutions of higher education must be vaccinated. If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, please discuss them with your healthcare provider or contact the Health Department.

1. Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
2. Screen yourself and other travelers in your group for symptoms of COVID-19. Do not travel if you are feeling ill or have any COVID-like symptoms, which you can find in the questions below.
3. Check your airline carrier for individual requirements prior to travel for additional information. Your carrier will have the most up-to-date information for your trip. Any links provided are subject to change.
4. Always wear a face mask completely covering your mouth and nose. The Health Department strongly recommends wearing a mask.

As a result of a court order, effective immediately and as of April 18, 2022, CDC’s January 29, 2021 Order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

People must wear masks that completely cover the mouth and nose. Masks should fit snugly against the sides of the face.

For more information about masks, see “Additional travel resources” below.

All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.

Prior to flying out of the United States, travelers should review all local, state, and federal COVID-19 guidance of their destination. You can find notices and news for your destination country under “Additional travel resources” below.

Please visit the CDC website for information about quarantine requirements related to travel.

If you had COVID-19 in the past 3 months, follow all requirements and recommendations for fully vaccinated travelers, found below under “Additional travel resources,” with adjustments:

• You can show proof of recovery from COVID-19 instead of a negative test result before boarding an international flight to the United States. You can find examples of proof of recovery under “Additional travel resources” below.
• You do NOT need to be tested 3-5 days after travel to the United States from international locations unless you have symptoms of COVID-19. You can look up COVID-19 symptoms under “Additional travel resources” below.

Check with your destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health, or the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information, for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers.

For most domestic travel, passengers are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. However, certain travel destinations may require additional documentation. Consult with local ordinances prior to travel. See “Additional travel resources” below to review all relevant state and local guidance of your destination prior to travel.

The CDC recommends individuals to get tested 3-5 days after returning from travel. All travelers should self-monitor COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if they develop symptoms.

CDC travel guidance

• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs
• Recommendations for domestic travel
• Travel planner to check recommendations and requirements for domestic destinations
• Recommendations for international travel
• Requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for international travel into the U.S.
• Notices and news for your destination country

CDC mask guidance

• Who needs to wear a mask and what kind of mask to wear
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs

Individual airline requirements

• Air Canada
• Alaska
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Delta
• Frontier
• Jet Blue
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• Southwest
• Spirit
• Sun Country Airlines
• United

Pennsylvania travel restrictions

There are no longer any travel restrictions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On March 1, 2021, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam signed a termination of mitigation measures.