For current risk and recommendations, see Updates. If you have questions that are not answered on this page, please call (215) 685-5488 or email publichealthinfo@phila.gov.
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How can you keep from catching COVID-19?
Read the CDC’s guidance on being up to date with all your COVID-19 vaccines, how to protect yourself and others, and what to expect when 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 or 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 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 why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
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 treatments for people with underlying health problems. See the question above (How do you treat COVID-19?) for more information.
Does the Health Department do any contact tracing for COVID-19?
Yes. Contact tracing is still used to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who:
The Health Department mostly uses contact tracing to investigate disease outbreaks. It does not conduct routine investigations of individual COVID-19 cases.
If the Health Department contacts you, please answer or return these calls/texts/emails. They are not spam. All responses are completely voluntary and are kept confidential.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should mask around others for a full 10 days. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and others.
If you have COVID-19, visit our guidance page to learn how to notify your own contacts.
Visit the CDC website to learn more about contact tracing for COVID-19.
Questions? Call (215) 685-5488 or email covid@phila.gov.
What is the current mask/vaccination guidance for schools K-12 and early childhood education settings?
Masks and vaccination for COVID-19 are not required in schools. However, some schools may require masks when students and staff return after having a COVID-19 infection or exposure as recommended by the CDC. Schools may set their own, more restrictive, mask policies.
We recommend that anyone who is eligible should be vaccinated with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. There are many opportunities for free vaccination in Philadelphia.
Can young children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages six months and up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended that children six months and older be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.
To learn more about vaccination, read Six Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs.
Children three years and older can get vaccines at many pharmacies and those 18 months and older can get vaccinated at retail care clinics. Children six months and older can get vaccinated at health centers or their pediatrician’s office. No matter where you choose to go, call before you go to make sure they have vaccines.
Check phila.gov/vaccine and vaccines.gov for a location near you.
Are there any treatments available for children with COVID-19?
Most children with COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever-reducing medicine.
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.
For children 28 days or older who have COVID-19 and are at risk for progressing to severe disease or hospitalized, various treatment options are available. You should discuss these options with your pediatrician.
Can I get my mammogram after I get my shot? Does the shot cause breast cancer?
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 get your mammogram before the vaccine or 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.
Can pregnant people get the vaccine?
Yes. Pregnant people are especially at risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19 disease. Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce the chance of complications for pregnant people and the fetus. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Find more information, see the CDC’s frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination, scroll to the Safety section and the question, “If I am pregnant or planning to get pregnant, can I get the vaccine?”
Is getting sick with COVID-19 while pregnant dangerous for the growing fetus?
Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant.
COVID-19 during pregnancy also increases the risk of delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant. Babies born to women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy have an increased risk of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Learn more about pregnant and recently pregnant people, COVID-19 and breastfeeding, and myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
Are infants born to people with COVID-19 during pregnancy at increased risk for adverse outcomes?
Infants born to people with COVID-19 have increased risk of prematurity, stillbirth, and ICU admission.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent these complications. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is known about COVID-19 and breastfeeding?
COVID-19 does not pass through breast milk and does not cause infection in the baby. You should continue to breastfeed your baby while you have COVID-19 but be sure to take precautions including wearing a masking, washing hands, and sterilizing pumping equipment.
Learn more about myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
When and where is it recommended to mask?
Masking is an important tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. You may decide to wear a mask or respirator (like an N95 or KN95) when you are indoors in public settings. Some instances where you may want to wear a mask include:
Are masks required in schools?
Masks and vaccination for COVID-19 are not required in schools. However, some schools may require masks when students and staff return after having a COVID-19 infection or exposure as recommended by the CDC. Schools may set their own, more restrictive, mask policies.
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 or after an exposure.
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.
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.
For more informtion, 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, sometimes testing, especially repeat testing, is not always available to everyone. If you’re able to test, please test.
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:
You can also follow additional prevention strategies, like:
In general, the more prevention strategies you follow, the better protected you and others around you will be from getting sick from a respiratory virus.
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?
Should people with asthma or other breathing problems use masks?
Most people with breathing problems and asthma are able to wear masks comfortably to protect themselves at times of high risk. These individuals are at higher risk from severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection and should wear masks in times of high risk. 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.
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 CDC Newsroom: COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults.
How many doses of vaccine will I need?
Learn everything you need to know about dosing and 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. For adults, vaccines will be covered by insurance. Uninsured and underinsured people will still have access to vaccine through a federal program and can get vaccinated at their provider’s office.
Can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. Children six months and older can get the vaccine. We recommend getting your child vaccinated, especially those under 5, since this is the third most hospitalized age group for COVID-19 after older adults.
See above: Can young children get the COVID-19 vaccine? (under Children and Families).
Should I get the vaccine if my blood test is positive for COVID-19 antibodies?
Yes, it is recommended that you be vaccinated even if you have antibodies in your blood. Hybrid immunity (having both vaccine and prior infection) protects you more than just prior infection alone.
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.
Even if you already have had COVID-19, you can get it again, and studies show worse outcomes with repeat infections. Getting vaccinated may also help protect against Long COVID.
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 current recommendation is for everyone to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine every fall. Older adults should also receive a second dose in the spring. The Health Department 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.
Is the vaccine safe for African Americans? Was the vaccine tested on African Americans?
See question above: How does safety testing for vaccines work and how do we know the vaccine is safe?
Can I get COVID-19 from getting vaccinated?
No. There is no living COVID-19 virus in the vaccines now available, and it will not give you COVID-19 infection. Receiving the vaccine, however, will greatly reduce your chances of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19 in the future.
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 Health Department 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, please discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Healthcare workers must be vaccinated. For more information, see Vaccination and Masking Requirements for Healthcare Workers.