What is the role of CVS Health® in administering COVID-19 vaccines?
CVS Health has administered more than 32 million COVID-19 tests and 34 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.
When will CVS Health begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11?
We anticipate pediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be available in select CVS Pharmacy locations starting on Sunday, 11/7, upon receipt and confirmation of vaccine supply. We recommend parents and guardians check CVS.com to find locations near them with available appointments.
Is an appointment required or can I just walk in?
Families interested in receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11 years are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at CVS.com or via the CVS App in order to identify the location closest to them with available vaccine.
Why or how were these specific CVS locations chosen to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to five–11-year-olds?
We have identified nearly 1,700 CVS Pharmacy locations across 46 states, Puerto Rico and Washington DC, for the administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11 years based on the C.D.C. Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) that identifies underserved areas with at-risk patients, and on available vaccine supply. We also selected these locations because they have vaccinators who are solely focused on administering vaccines. Additional locations are expected to begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11 years in the coming weeks.
How can I be sure that my local CVS Pharmacy carries a vaccine approved for my child aged five to 11 years?
Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment online at CVS.com or through the CVS App to ensure availability of the appropriate vaccine. The scheduling tool will only display appointments at CVS Pharmacy locations that have the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages five to 11 years once the patient's age is provided.
What do parents need to know about the safety of the vaccine?
On October 29, the FDA expanded the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include children five to 11 years of age. The FDA has determined that the Pfizer vaccine has met the appropriate criteria and will be an effective tool in preventing COVID-19 among this age group. For more specific details, we recommend reaching out to the manufacturer.
Who is administering the pediatric vaccine?
At select CVS Pharmacy locations, trained pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians and nurses will be administering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants will administer the vaccine at select MinuteClinic locations as they receive vaccine supply.
Is there anything parents need to know or bring in order to get their kids vaccinated?
A parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration on CVS.com and an adult must accompany children ages five to 11 years to the appointment at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic. As with the adult COVID-19 vaccination, children and their parent or guardian will need to remain in the pharmacy area for at least 15 minutes following vaccination for observation.
Can children ages five to 11 receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine at the same time?
Yes. According to the CDC, children ages five to 11 may receive the seasonal flu vaccine at the same time they are receiving the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine. There is no need to stagger vaccinations. Additionally, if a child has already received a flu shot, they can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at any time.
Who qualifies for a booster shot?
Following guidelines set by ACIP and the CDC, all individuals who are over the age of 12 years old are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. Additional recommendations based on age and primary vaccination series are as follows.
Patients aged 12 years old and above who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series are eligible for a booster five months after completion of their primary series.
Patients aged 18 years old and above who received a Moderna COVID-19 primary vaccine series are eligible for a booster five months after completion of their primary series.
Patients aged 18 years old and above who received a Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine series are eligible for a booster two months after their primary vaccine dose.
Eligible individuals do not need to receive a booster shot that matches the formulation of their primary series. If individuals choose a booster dose that differs from their primary vaccine series, the manufacturers recommend individuals should check with their health care provider regarding the timing of the booster dose.
Patients who received a Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine and prefer to receive a Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) booster are encouraged to contact their primary care provider for best next steps or refer to vaccines.gov for more information.
Which vaccines are being offered as a booster?
As of November 19, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines boosters are authorized for eligible individuals age 18 and above, following FDA authorization, and under guidelines set by ACIP and the CDC.
On December 9, the FDA and CDC authorized the administration of a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for patients ages 16-17 years, six months after receiving the second dose of their primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Additionally, individuals who are 18 years and older and received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine may receive a single booster dose of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Moderna, or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after receiving their primary vaccination.
What should people who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine do?
At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech booster recommendation only applies to people whose primary series was Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. People in the recommended groups who got the Moderna or Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine may also be recommended to receive booster shot. More data on the effectiveness and safety of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) booster shots are expected in the coming weeks. Visit the CDC website for more information and updates.
When can eligible populations receive their booster?
Starting Saturday, November 20, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots for eligible individuals 18+ are available at select CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations.
Starting Friday, December 10, teens ages 16-17 years will be able to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot at CVS Pharmacy locations currently carrying this vaccine. A parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration on CVS.com for minors up to age 17. Teens 16 and older do not need to be accompanied by an adult to their vaccination appointment, unless required by local or state law.
How can eligible populations receive their booster at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic?
Patients interested in receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at CVS.com or MinuteClinic.com. Advanced scheduling is recommended for patients looking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from a specific manufacturer to ensure that it is available at the clinic of their choice. At this time, each participating CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic is offering either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, not all three.
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.
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?
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.