COVID Vaccine Walk-in Near Me - Los Angeles, California (2023)

FAQs

Which is better Pfizer or Moderna booster? ›

Both of the mRNA vaccines available in the US are highly effective against severe COVID-19, but recent studies suggest that Moderna's elicits a stronger immune response and might be better at preventing breakthrough infections.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective at preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19.

CDC recommends one updated (bivalent) booster dose:

For everyone aged 5 years and older if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose. For children aged 6 months–4 years who completed the Moderna primary series and if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose.

In multivariate logistic regressions analyses, the second dose of the Moderna vaccine was associated with a significantly higher risk of side effects than both the second dose of Pfizer and the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Alternatively, adults are eligible for a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna bivalent booster at least two months after their primary Novavax vaccination, and teenagers ages 12 through 17 must get a Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster. Possible side effects: Injection site tenderness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain.

If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), then you are considered to be fully vaccinated.

Can you get Covid-19 twice? Yes, it is possible to get Covid-19 two, three or even more times. Covid reinfections have become more common because of the Omicron variant, and because immunity from previous infection and immunisation has reduced over time.

Vaccines are injections (shots), liquids, pills, or nasal sprays that you take to teach your body's immune system to recognize and defend against harmful germs. For example, there are vaccines to protect against diseases caused by: Viruses, like the ones that cause the flu and COVID-19.

You should not take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to help prevent side effects before you get the vaccine. It is not known if these medicines will affect how well the vaccine works.

When can I take Tylenol after Covid vaccine? ›

If you have a sore arm or a fever after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20.

Make sure you get some good rest before you get your shot, sleep experts say. That's because adequate sleep is an important factor in a strong immune system.

Eat something and drink water the day of your vaccination. Some people get nervous when they get any kind of shot and can feel dizzy or lightheaded. Proper nutrition and hydration will combat that.

Other typical side effects included fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, diarrhea, fever and vomiting — all were seen with Pfizer's original COVID-19 booster too.

Use an ice pack or cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness and/or swelling at the place where the shot was given. A cool bath can also be soothing. Drink liquids often for 1-2 days after getting the vaccine. Take an over the counter pain reliever unless you have any specific contraindication.

However, data from multiple studies show a slight risk for myocarditis and pericarditis following the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. These cases occurred most frequently in males, ages 16 years and older, within seven days of receiving the second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® or Advil® (ibuprofen) can help with pain, fever, headache, or discomfort.

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations and death. People 65 and older who received both doses of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines showed a 94% reduced risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization.

Records show that side effects, if any, occur within 2 months of vaccination [2]. They do not develop years after they are used. mRNA, which is the technology used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, degrades in the body naturally after a few days, and the spike protein it creates only stays for a couple weeks [3].

Both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are effectively interchangeable and are safe to mix.

Is Moderna effective against Omicron? ›

Moderna data suggest new Covid booster is more effective against Omicron variants. New data indicate Moderna's Covid bivalent booster may be more effective against currently circulating Omicron variants of the virus than its original vaccine, the company said Monday.

Vaccine may be stored between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for up to 30 days.

Get some rest and pay attention to your body. Common side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine include pain and swelling at the injection site and the potential for flu-like symptoms, like chills, tiredness or fever. This phase should only last a day or two, and if you've ever had a flu shot, will come as no surprise.

You need 2 doses for stronger and longer-lasting protection. Most people also need a booster dose to help improve the protection from the first 2 doses of the vaccine.

It's possible to have genetic features that make you resistant to COVID infection. Researchers have noted this before with viral infections, like HIV. But there's still more research to be done in this area. Given the high rates of COVID infection, it's likely that there aren't many people who are immune.

COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath. Some people who have COVID-19 develop pneumonia. The type and severity of first symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low. Do not put masks on pets; masks could harm your pet.

How quickly does the vaccine work and how long does the protection last? It generally takes 1-2 weeks following COVID-19 vaccination for the body to build immunity against the virus. Duration of protection differs per vaccine and may be influenced by who receives it.

There are two types of immunity: active and passive.

What medications not to take with COVID vaccine? ›

Do not take a pain reliever or fever-reducing drug before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine because these drugs may impact the immune response to the vaccine. If you experience side effects after getting vaccinated, it is safe to take these drugs as needed to treat pain.

Medication: You may find covid headache relief by using over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the printed dosing directions or ask your doctor about the appropriate dose.

Take OTC antihistamines

Nasal decongestant sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin, Vick's Sinex) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), can also be helpful.

Use over-the-counter pain medication after the injection.

Taking a pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen after your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, can help reduce muscle pain and reduce swelling at the injection site. You can alternate doses of these two medications throughout the day for added relief.

You may be asked to wait for 15 minutes after having the vaccination. This is in the unlikely event you have a serious reaction to the vaccine. Research has found it's very rare to have a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.

Sleep length may affect how your body responds to vaccines, increasing your risk for illness.

Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep: When you get vaccinated, the body relies on immune responses to develop protection.

Side effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

Very common side effects in the first day or two include: having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. feeling tired. headache, aches and chills.

Overall, the bivalent shots were 37% more effective at preventing severe COVID-19 than the original boosters. Effectiveness was similar between the two different brands, and whether or not people had received one or more boosters previously. Protection from both shots peaked at about 4 weeks after administration.

A booster shot with the Moderna vaccine offered older people better protection against COVID-19 if they had previously taken Pfizer jabs, researchers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) have found.

How long do boosters last? ›

Some health experts have suggested that more time between boosters—up to six months—might be preferred. That's because someone who recently got a booster already has more virus-fighting antibodies in their bloodstream. Antibodies gradually wane over time, and another shot too soon won't offer much extra benefit.

Axillary (or groin) swelling or tenderness was reported slightly more frequently in the younger age group than the older age group (9.3% vs 9.1% after dose 2). Injection site redness and swelling following either dose were reported less frequently. Redness and swelling were more common after dose 2.

New evidence suggests that 'hybrid' immunity, the result of both vaccination and a bout of COVID-19, can provide partial protection against reinfection for at least eight months¹.

Be aware that some countries are requesting evidence that you completed your COVID-19 vaccine course at least 14 days before arriving in their country. They may also require evidence of a booster dose depending on how long ago you completed your COVID-19 vaccine course.

How long does it take for my booster to start working? Your body's immune response kicks in almost immediately after a booster dose. It may take around two weeks to reach maximum protection.