Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available to our patients. Sign up for Connect today to schedule your vaccination. Review the latest on COVID-19 vaccines.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Updated on September 24, 2021

Weill Cornell Medicine, in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, is committed to keeping you safe and protecting you and your loved ones from COVID-19 during this unprecedented pandemic. COVID-19 vaccinations will be prioritized according to guidelines defined by state and federal agencies, and vaccines are expected to be distributed in phases.

Patients Eligible for Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines

We are currently able to vaccinate those eligible individuals 12 and over who reside in the United States. Vaccination appointments are required.

Booster Doses Are Available

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently authorized and recommended a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for:

  • Individuals 65 and older and residents in long-term care settings
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age with underlying health conditions at high risk of severe COVID-19
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19, including severe COVID-19.

This recommendation is in addition to the previous CDC guidance for an additional vaccine dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

The CDC is recommending a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine be given to patients who received their primary series with Pfizer. Patients should wait until six months after having received the second dose before receiving a booster.

For more information on vaccine booster doses and eligibility, please visit the CDC for the latest press release.

Sign Up for Connect for Updates

You will need an appointment to receive the vaccine. You may schedule yours and receive all vaccine information updates through our Connect patient portal. To ensure your Connect account is active or to sign up for a new one, please visit here to login or register.  

Appointments appear on the patient portal as times become available.  For more details about eligibility, scheduling availability, and how to sign up for Connect, please visit  Vaccine Together NY.  

If you cannot find an appointment through Connect, then you may consider vaccination options through  New York State  and  New York City. 

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine release plans and protocols, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Who can currently receive a booster dose of the vaccine?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently authorized and recommended a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for:

  • Individuals 65 and older and residents in long-term care settings
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age with underlying health conditions at high risk of severe COVID-19
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19, including severe COVID-19.

This recommendation is in addition to the previous CDC guidance for an additional vaccine dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

The CDC is recommending a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine be given to patients who received their primary series with Pfizer. Patients should wait until six months after having received the second dose before receiving a booster.

At this time, FDA and CDC have not recommended booster doses for those who received a primary series with the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. As soon as there is further information about this group of patients we will communicate with you. If you are uncertain whether you qualify or should receive a booster dose please schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with your provider.
For more information on vaccine booster doses and eligibility, please visit the CDC for the latest press release.

Why vaccinate against COVID-19?

Currently, there is no cure for this potentially deadly virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is a proven and safe way to help your body defend itself by developing immunity to it. 

Who makes the COVID-19 vaccine?

Three companies, Pfizer BioEnTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, currently produce the COVID-19 vaccine. All three vaccines contain the mRNA code for a viral protein. This code allows your body to make the protein, which then triggers your immune system to create antibodies to help prevent illness.

The Pfizer BioEnTech and Moderna vaccines each require two doses of the same vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine’s second dose is required 21 days after the first dose, and the Moderna’s, 28 days after.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine requires only one dose.   

Are the vaccines effective?

Yes. The vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 and resulting complications. They significantly lower your risk of becoming acutely ill from the virus, being hospitalized, or dying from it. 

How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?

All COVID-19 vaccines contain the mRNA code for a viral protein. This code allows your body to make the protein, which then triggers your immune system to create antibodies to help prevent illness.

The Pfizer BioEnTech and Moderna vaccines each require two doses of the same vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine’s second dose is required 21 days after the first dose, and the Moderna’s, 28 days after.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine requires only one dose.   

Can I contract COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. It is impossible for the vaccine to give you COVID-19; it does not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

What are some side effects to the COVID-19 vaccine?

The most common reaction is soreness at the injection site in the upper arm. Other reactions may include fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, or less commonly, fever. These normal reactions, which are more likely to occur with the second dose, indicate that your body is building immunity.

To learn more about possible side effects, please review Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines. 

Is the vaccine recommended for children?

The CDC has approved the administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds.

Clinical trials continue to expand their recruitment into more populations and the groups recommended to receive the vaccines could grow in the near future. 

Am I required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

No, but we strongly encourage that you do.  Vaccinating as many people as possible is one way of acquiring “herd immunity.” This means that a sufficient proportion of the population has antibodies either from vaccination or having had COVID-19, which significantly decreases the potential for future outbreaks. 

I’ve already had COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes. It is still possible to become re-infected, and the vaccine may provide extra protection.

Must I still wear a mask after I get my COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Since you may transmit the virus after vaccination, the CDC urges you to continue wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and washing your hands regularly. As more people are vaccinated, some of these requirements may change.  

How many doses of the vaccine is required?

The Pfizer BioEnTech and Moderna vaccines each require two doses of the same vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine’s second dose is required 21 days after the first dose, and the Moderna’s, 28 days after.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine requires only one dose.   

Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccine is not recommended for people who may be allergic to its ingredients, are taking medications or undergoing treatments (e.g., for cancer) that may interact negatively with it. It also may not be recommended for children younger than age 12. 

Please consult your physician about the vaccines risks and benefits, and review CDC guides on ​​​​Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Should I take the vaccine if I’m pregnant, expecting, or breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant and get COVID-19, then you have an increased risk of being hospitalized or dying from the virus. You have an even greater risk if you have other chronic conditions. You should discuss the risks and benefits of the vaccine with your provider. Meanwhile, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), FDA, and CDC recommend that you take the vaccine if you are:  

  • considering getting pregnant, to prevent possible complications of the virus during pregnancy; 
  • currently pregnant, especially if you have other chronic conditions; or, 
  • breastfeeding, since the vaccine cannot get into the breast milk or affect your baby. You should not stop breast feeding to get the vaccine.  

May I choose the vaccine I want?

No. You will receive the vaccine that is available at the time of your appointment. All three vaccines are equally safe and effective. 

Should I get it if I have allergic reactions?

As with any vaccine, of the millions of people who have received these vaccines, there have been a very small number that have experienced severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anyone who has had a history of a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine should NOT receive the vaccine. Please consult with your doctor first.

Does the current vaccine protect against the new coronavirus strain?

Yes, experts believe the COVID-19 vaccines will be effective against this variant. According to the CDC, there is no evidence that the new variant strain is able to evade immunity induced by current COVID-19 vaccines.

How do I print a record of my medical conditions for vaccination purposes?

Please  click here for instructions  on how to access your medical record via the Connect patient portal. 

What if I need to reschedule my vaccine appointment?

Click here  for information on how to reschedule your vaccine appointment on Connect.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Please wear loose fitting clothing to your appointment. A short sleeve shirt is preferable. Please wear comfortable shoes to your appointment. You will be walking indoors during your visit. As you arrive at the vaccination site, you will be required to go through a metal detector at a security checkpoint.

To expedite your experience, please print and complete this form on the day of your appointment and bring it with you. 

For second dose appointments, please bring your vaccination card with you to the Armory on the day of your appointment. 

Important: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, recently diagnosed with COVID-19, or require quarantine in accordance with CDC guidelines, please do not come in for your appointment. Please reschedule when you are well. 

Where is the vaccination center?

We are currently vaccinating patients at the Belfer Research Building, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 413 E 69th Street. You can make an appointment through your Connect patient portal.

The site is ADA accessible at entrance. Please review the Vaccine Center Fact Sheet (Includes directions, parking).

Are all three vaccines safe?

Yes. Since none of the vaccines contain live coronavirus, they cannot give you COVID-19. Millions of Americans have received these vaccines without major unexpected side effects. In very rare cases, people experienced serious allergic reactions, but these have generally occurred in individuals with a history of serious allergic reactions.

To learn more about U.S. COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, please visit  clinicaltrials.gov. 

Vaccine Together

Eligible patients, per state guidelines, can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, pending availability.

Learn More

Sign up for Connect or update your current Connect account to receive the latest updates about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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