Covid-19 Vaccines

The Covid-19 vaccine is free and does not require insurance or immigration status

Vaccines available to you

There are 2 types of vaccines, mRNA vaccines and adenovirus vaccines, that are offered in the US.

• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine is an adenovirus.
  • A primary series of 1 dose for individuals 18 and up.
• Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are mRNA vaccines.
  • Pfizer: Primary series of 2 doses (21 days apart) of Pfizer vaccine. Approved for 12 and up. Separate dosing approved for children age 5-11.
  • Moderna: Primary series of 2 doses (28 days apart) of Moderna vaccine for individuals 18 and up.

The Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines provide the best protection against Covid-19

Pfizer and Moderna are recommended over the J&J vaccine for both primary and booster vaccination. J&J is still available to:

• Those who are unable to get a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine due to medical reasons
• Those who prefer it

Vaccination for 5-17 year olds

A Pfizer vaccine containing a smaller dose (1/3rd dose) of the formulation is available to children 5-11 years of age. For minors aged 5-17 who are getting vaccinated at an LA County Department of Public Health site, the following are required:

• A consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian is required for both visits
• 5-15 year-olds must be accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or a responsible adult.
• 16 and 17-year-olds should be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian if possible.

Required Documentation

Please bring the following documents with you if you are getting vaccinated at an LA County Department of Public Health site.

• If you have health insurance, please bring your health insurance card (COVID-19 vaccines are free regardless of insurance status)
• A consent form is required for minors to be vaccinated at sites run by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health(see below for more details)
• Note: You do not need to show ID in order to get a vaccine. However, because you may need to show your vaccination record and your ID if you travel or visit certain venues, it is recommended that when you get a vaccine you provide the name that is on your ID.
• You do not need to be a US citizen to get a vaccine.

For more information on Vaccine Guidelines and Required Documentation, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/?provider=&vaccine=&daysOfWeek=0&dateOptions=1&system=&timeOfDay=&walkin=TRUE&

Vaccine Eligibility

Who is eligible for the vaccine and booster?

Who should NOT get vaccinated?

• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccines
  • Do not get mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) if allergic to polyethylene glycol
  • Do not get Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine if allergic to polysorbate
• If you had a severe allergic reaction following a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Severe allergic reactions can include rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, or a generalized rash or hives *If you believe you are suffering from an allergic reaction, please seek immediate medical attention

Who should NOT get vaccinated?

• Contact and consult with your physician on the best alternative solutions to protect yourself
• Practice safety measures including wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing

Getting vaccinated

Where to get vaccinated

Vaccine Clinics are open on Sundays and no appointments are needed. Find a vaccine clinic near you: https://myturn.ca.gov/

At-home vaccinations

California residents can now request in-home vaccinations and/or transit assistance to get vaccinated by registering at MyTurn.‍ca.‍gov or by calling the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Call Center at 1-833-422-4255.

CA Department of Public Health COVID-19

• If you need language assistance, request your desired language (“Japanese”). You will then be connected to an interpretation service.
• Request an in-home vaccine or transportation assistance.
• You will be asked for the County you live in, full name, date of birth and medical insurance information. (You will not be turned away for lack of insurance)
• For in-home vaccination – County will follow up with an appointment date. This may take up to 10 days.
• For transportation support, call should be made 5 days before your vaccine appointment date.

LA County Residents (excludes Pasadena and Long Beach residents) – Request In-Home Vaccination Online here at bit.ly/3wtkmp1

How do I prepare for my COVID vaccination?

Ensure your appointment is confirmed with the provider to whom is administering the vaccine, unless it is a walk-in

It is not recommended to take over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen (tylenol) as well as antihistamines before vaccination in order to prevent or minimize side effects. It is not well understood how these medications will affect the efficacy of the vaccine. However, If these medication are taken regularly for certain reasons as prescribed by your physician, then please continue to do so per your physician’s instructions.

Following the vaccine, over-the-counter medications may be taken to help dissipate side effects that may arise