What is the role of CVS Health® in administering COVID-19 vaccines?
During Q2, CVS Health administered more than 6 million COVID-19 tests and nearly 17 million COVID-19 vaccines nationwide in the second quarter, bringing the total number to 29 million COVID-19 tests and 30 million COVID-19 vaccines. The Company maintains a strong commitment to vaccine and testing equity and continues to optimize site locations and targeted outreach initiatives in order to reach vulnerable populations.
Can patients make a vaccine appointment at CVS.com?
Eligible customers are now able to walk into a CVS Pharmacy location or schedule an appointment on CVS.com. Anyone requiring assistance with the scheduling tool or without access to a computer or mobile device is encouraged to contact CVS Customer Service.
Can I choose which vaccine to receive at CVS Pharmacy?
CVS Pharmacy locations have either the Moderna, Pfizer or Janssen vaccine — not more than one type at a time in any one pharmacy. Patients will be able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on cvs.com before scheduling. Depending on which vaccine you receive, you will be prompted to schedule a second dose if needed.
Is getting the COVID-19 vaccine similar to getting a flu vaccine?
Yes, the process is very similar to receiving a flu vaccine, including walking into a CVS Pharmacy location or scheduling an appointment online at CVS.com or through the CVS app. CVS Health has ample experience in safely administering vaccines, including millions of flu shots every year.
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine at preventing death?
According to the CDC, 99.5% of those who have died of COVID-19 in most recent months were NOT vaccinated, which means for every 200 people that have died, 199 were NOT vaccinated.
Is the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine available at CVS Pharmacy?
After a thorough safety review, the CDC and FDA have lifted the pause on the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine as well as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are offered in our stores.
What do I need to do/know about the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine?
The FDA and the CDC are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. At this time, the available data suggests that the chance of developing a rare blood disorder — thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) — is very low, and the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.
For women between the ages of 18 and 49, this adverse event is rare, occurring at a rate of about 7 per 1 million vaccinated women. For women 50 years and older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare. Women younger than 50 should be aware that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen.
Patients who receive the Janssen vaccine should monitor for severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath for 2 weeks after administration.
If experiencing symptoms, patients should contact their healthcare provider.
Are people who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine more at risk to develop Guillain-Barre syndrome?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently added Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a warning to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 fact sheets for health care providers and patients. According to the fact sheets, reports of adverse events following use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine under emergency use authorization suggest an increased risk of GBS during the 42 days following vaccination. Although regulators have found the chances of developing the condition are low, they appear to be three to five time higher among recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine than among the general population in the United States.
Is CVS Health continuing to administer the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine given this warning?
Yes, this vaccine is currently available at MinuteClinic® and administration of the vaccine continues to be safe. The method used to create the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the same as the flu vaccine, which includes the same warning. The chances of a patient contracting GBS remains low but is possible.
Can my 12 to 15 year old child receive the COVID-19 vaccine at CVS Pharmacy?
Yes, all children ages 12 to 15 are eligible to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at CVS Pharmacy, as of Thursday, May 13, provided there is parental or legal guardian consent and the child is accompanied by an adult.
Because the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is currently the only authorized vaccine for children in this age group, we recommend making an appointment online at cvs.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app at a nearby location that has the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to ensure there is adequate supply and availability. Walk-ins are also accepted. Our online scheduling tool will only display appointments at locations that have the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine once the patient’s age is provided.
How can I be sure that my local CVS Pharmacy offers the Pfizer vaccine for my child ages 12 to 15?
CVS Pharmacy locations have either the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine — not more than one type at a time. Patients are able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on CVS.com before scheduling, which is recommended especially when looking for an appointment for children ages 12 to 15 that require the Pfizer vaccine. Our online scheduling tool will only display appointments at locations that have the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine once the patient’s age is provided.
Is parental consent required for patients ages 12 to 17 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine? (Updated 5/12)
Yes, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration on cvs.com for minors seeking the COVID-19 vaccine. An adult must accompany children ages 12 to 15 to the appointment at CVS Pharmacy, but does not need to accompany teens ages 16 and older, unless required by local or state law.
