COVID-19 & Vaccine FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccine Information & FAQ
October 25, 2023 — At this time, Duly Health and Care is only offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series for patients 6 months to 2 years of age. To schedule an appointment for your child, please call their primary care provider.
If you or anyone in your family 3 years of age and older are in need of COVID-19 vaccines and/or boosters, please schedule an appointment at your local pharmacy or nearest county health department clinic as we await next steps on approvals of additional vaccines.
Please refer back to this page for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Bivalent Booster Vaccine General Information
The FDA approved omicron-specific booster doses of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. These new bivalent boosters often referred to as “updated boosters” are targeted against the Omicron variants that have been dominant through most of 2022. These new vaccine boosters are a response to the need to have vaccines more targeted toward circulating strains of COVID.
Moderna’s bivalent booster is for patients age 6 and up who have received a complete initial vaccine series (at least 2 doses of Moderna or 2 doses of Pfizer or 1 dose of J&J or 2 doses of Novavax or 2 doses of any WHO-approved vaccine series outside of the country.) Anyone age 6 or older seeking a Moderna booster will receive this updated bivalent booster.
Pfizer’s bivalent booster is for patients age 5 and up who have received a complete vaccine series (at least 2 doses of Pfizer or 2 doses of Moderna or 1 dose of J&J or 2 doses of Novavax or 2 doses of any WHO-approved vaccine series outside of the country.) Anyone age 6 or older seeking a Pfizer booster will receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.
When can our patients receive the bivalent booster vaccines?
Patients are eligible to receive a bivalent booster dose of mRNA vaccine if they are fully vaccinated, meet the age criteria, and it has been at least 2 months since their last dose of any COVID vaccine, previous boosters included. If patients have already received all doses of the COVID vaccine for which they were eligible — they can and should still get a booster dose of these new bivalent vaccines.
What if a patient recently had COVID?
If a patient was recently infected, they likely have significant antibodies against circulating variants. For this reason, patients can wait up to 90 days after their COVID infection to receive bivalent boosters but do not have to. Patients can get these boosters at any time after recovery.
If I am a patient that has never been vaccinated, can I receive the new bivalent vaccine?
At this time, bivalent vaccines are NOT indicated for the primary vaccine series and cannot be used in this way. Patients have to receive a completed vaccine series of the original vaccines prior to these boosters. This is the current guidance from the CDC and FDA.
What about the bivalent vaccine for children under the age of 12?
It is recommended that children age 5 and older receive one updated bivalent booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was their final primary series dose or a monovalent booster.
If a child under the age of 5 years old has not yet received a 3rd dose of the COVID vaccine, they should not wait. There is no immediate timeline for the expected approval of pediatric doses of bivalent boosters for this age group. Children should continue to be vaccinated with boosters currently available and, when bivalent boosters become available, they will be able to receive these as well.
Can patients get their COVID booster, flu shot, monkeypox vaccine, Prevnar 20, etc. all on the same day?
Yes, they can. There is no need to space these vaccines out, nor is there a requirement to get them in a certain order.
When should patients get their influenza vaccines?
Flu shots are now available for patients at Duly. The optimal time for an influenza vaccine is generally October and into November so the peak effect is felt when we anticipate influenza cases to peak.
Do Duly providers recommend mixing vaccines to improve immunity against COVID?
The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to get the vaccine and boosters, including a second booster if recommended.
You can learn more about mixing and matching COVID here.
Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all individuals 6 months and up. Appointments are available in Glen Ellyn, Lisle and Tinley Park.
- A COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster is recommended for everyone ages 5 and older at least 2 months after their initial primary series or monovalent booster. Those ages 5 – 11 that are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their initial dose.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Mild side effects, such as those listed below, occur commonly and typically resolve within 24 – 48 hours of the vaccination administration. Common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include:
- Pain or swelling in the arm that received vaccine
- Fever
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Headache
These typical side effects can be treated with rest, hydration and Tylenol or ibuprofen. Patients should call their doctor if they feel that their side effects are becoming severe.
Allergic Reactions: Those with a known history of allergic reactions to injectable medications or vaccinations should consult with their primary care provider or an allergist before receiving the vaccine. The CDC recommends that patients who have an allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive the second dose. If you have questions regarding your vaccine options, please contact your primary care provider or the Duly Health and Care Allergy, Asthma and Immunology department.
Onsite Safety Monitoring: All patients will be monitored for reactions to the vaccine for 15 minutes. Those with a history of severe allergic reactions will be monitored for up to 30 minutes. If you experience a reaction after leaving your appointment, seek medical attention immediately.
Follow-up Check-ins: Patients who receive the vaccine will be provided instructions on how to report side effects. A MyDMGHealth account will allow you to fill out check-in questionnaires to report any health concerns following your vaccination.
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers, those with a history of allergic reactions or those who are immunocompromised?
Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding
Clinical trials did not study this demographic. Recent data has suggested that those who are pregnant could experience more severe reactions to side effects of either vaccine1. Reach out to your medical provider to help you make an informed decision.
Those with a history of severe allergic reactions
Those with a known history of severe or mild immediate allergic reactions, especially to injectable medications or vaccinations, should consult with their allergy and immunologist or primary care provider before receiving the vaccine.
Those with a history of severe allergies unrelated to vaccine ingredients and medical provider approval will be monitored for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine instead of the standard 15 minutes.
Those who are immunocompromised
Due to limited data, it is recommended for those who are immunocompromised to consult with their doctor before receiving the vaccine.
Your medical provider will help inform you about the limited data surrounding vaccine research and those who are immunocompromised. Your provider may have special instructions for you following the vaccine to help ensure your safety.
Who is considered immunocompromised?
- Cancer patients
- Those who have had a bone marrow transplant
- Those who have had a solid organ transplant
- Received stem cells for cancer treatment
- Those with genetic immune deficiencies
- Those with HIV
- Those who chronically use oral or intravenous corticosteroids or immunosuppressants
If I have had COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, should I get the vaccine?
- It is highly encouraged that those who have had COVID-19 receive the vaccination series to help avoid reinfection. The length of natural immunity ranges depending on the person. The vaccination series will help extend your immunity and lessen your risk of COVID-19 diagnosis and severity.
- For the safety of others, those who currently have COVID-19 should wait the recommended 14 days of isolation before considering a vaccine.
- Recent evidence has suggested a lower probability of reinfection within 90 days of COVID-19 infection. As a result, those with a recent COVID-19 diagnosis may choose to delay their vaccination series.
How long does the vaccine provide protection? What we know so far…
The COVID-19 vaccine’s length of immunity is still being determined due to limited data. It is recommended that those with COVID-19 antibodies from previous illness still receive the vaccination series since it is still unknown how long natural immunity lasts.
Does the vaccine protect me from alternate strains?
While data is limited, researchers believe that the COVID-19 vaccines will cover the alternate strains of the virus that have appeared around the world. Early findings suggest that COVID-19 mutations are showing consistent results as those already covered by the existing vaccine1. Additional research will help scientists adjust the vaccine as necessary in the future.
What is the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 Vaccine is provided at no cost by the federal government. Duly Health and Care will bill your current insurance for the administration of the vaccine. Please check with your health plan by calling the number on the back of your insurance card for any questions prior to your appointment. If you are uninsured, the administration of your vaccine may be covered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
The CDC has given final approval of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and up.
What are the current COVID-19 vaccines available for pediatric patients?
The available Covid-19 vaccines are NOT weight-based but rather based on immune system age/maturity and therefore, the vaccine dosing becomes smaller the younger the recipient. The Pfizer vaccine is given as 30 mcg doses for ages 12 and up, 10 mcg for children ages 5 – 11, and 3 mcg for children 6 months to 4 years. For the newest eligible age group, children 6 months to 4 years, this vaccine is given as a 3‑dose series, with the first 2 doses given 21 days apart and the 3rd dose at least 2 months after the 2nd dose. The Moderna vaccine is dosed similarly, 100 mcg for ages 12 and up, 50 mcg for children ages 6 to 11, and 25 mcg for children 6 months to 5 years. The Moderna vaccine is administered as a 2‑dose series given 28 days apart.
| Child’s Age | Pfizer-BioNTech | Moderna |
| 6 months — 4 years old | 3‑dose primary series | 2‑dose primary series |
| 5 years old | 2‑dose primary series Bivalent booster (at least 2 months after primary series) | |
| 6 – 17 years old | 2‑dose primary series | 2‑dose primary series |
Which vaccine should I choose for my child?
Both vaccines are safe and effective. We understand you may have some additional factors to consider before choosing which vaccine you would like your child to receive. Currently, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are offered at our Glen Ellyn and Tinley Park locations. Please speak with your provider if you have specific questions about your vaccine choice.
Why should my child get this vaccine? I thought children were low risk.
There have been over 6 million COVID illnesses in children in the United States. Up to 30% of children sick enough to be hospitalized had NO underlying health issues or risk factors. There have been over 600 pediatric deaths due to COVID with over 100 pediatric deaths in this age group alone. Although children are at low risk for severe COVID illness, hospitalization, and death, they remain at risk for post-COVID or COVID long-haul syndromes with symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, poor appetite, etc., lasting for weeks to months after even mild cases of COVID.
How effective is this vaccine?
When the primary series of the vaccines available are completed, they have reliably demonstrated that they are extremely protective against the severest complications of Covid-19, which includes hospitalization and even death. The Pfizer vaccine series for children ages 6 months to 4 years was found to elicit a similar immune response in the age groups studied when compared to older recipients of the vaccine. The Moderna trial found the vaccine to be approximately 50% effective in preventing Covid 19 in children 6 to 23 months, and more than 36% effective in children ages 2 to 5 that received the vaccine.
Can this vaccine be given at the same time as my child’s influenza vaccine or other scheduled vaccines?
Yes. COVID vaccines can be given at the same time as the influenza vaccine or any other scheduled childhood immunization.
What are the expected side effects?
Vaccine side effects are common but generally mild. Children in these trials experienced fevers, headaches, fatigue, chills, and generalized body aches. Some children experienced swollen lymph nodes and GI upset/diarrhea. There were no severe side effects reported in these clinical trials. Similar to older kids and adults, children will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after receipt of their vaccines, 30 minutes if there is a history of anaphylaxis.
What about myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)?
Myocarditis is a very rare side effect that was identified to occur more commonly in young males after their 2nd dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The risk was found to be higher in males aged 18 to 24 for the Moderna vaccine and aged 12 to 17 for the Pfizer. For those that developed this rare side effect, further safety monitoring found that most cases of myocarditis associated with the vaccines resolved rather quickly with little intervention and no reported impact on quality of life. When this rare side effect occurs, it is generally within 7 days of vaccine and presents with chest discomfort and fevers. No children have died of COVID vaccine-induced myocarditis and, in general, myocarditis due to vaccine is milder than myocarditis due to COVID infection.
What about long-term side effects of mRNA vaccines?
Long-term side effects are very unlikely based on how mRNA vaccines work and the evidence we have gathered from millions of doses of the vaccine already administered worldwide. Tiny fragments of mRNA are contained in a lipid (fat) particle and delivered into the muscle. The lipid particle helps prevent the mRNA from breaking down during delivery. Within a few hours, the lipid dissolves and releases the mRNA to deliver the message for cells to start making spike proteins. mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell where DNA is stored, and it cannot change a person’s DNA. mRNA itself also cannot be converted to DNA. After this message is delivered to the cells, mRNA completely disintegrates and is cleared from the body within 72 hours. For as long as we have had vaccines in history, all serious vaccine events occur within 6 – 8 weeks of a vaccine’s administration. We now have more than 1.5 years of vaccine data, with millions of doses adminstered, showing these vaccines are safe and effective.
Are there any risks to future fertility?
Studies in individuals of reproductive age show no decreases in sperm counts and no increased risk of miscarriage. To date, there have been thousands of successful pregnancies after vaccination. For young people who have begun menstruating there could be a temporary change in menstrual cycles due to the mounting of an immune response to the vaccine. At present, experts in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine all endorse receipt of the COVID vaccine.
What if my child has already had COVID? Don’t they already have antibodies?
Studies show that natural immunity is both quite high and fairly common in children. Similar to vaccine protection over time, however, natural immunity wanes. Natural immunity also makes antibodies less predictably, and it currently appears the vaccine is more protective against current COVID variants. Receiving the COVID vaccine after COVID illness also strengthens the immune system response. There is no need to“wait” to receive the vaccine after COVID illness, as soon as your child has recovered symptomatically and has completed quarantine, it is OK to receive the COVID vaccine.
COVID-19 Pediatric Booster FAQ
Who can get a bivalent booster?
Everyone ages 5 and older have now been approved for a COVID-19 bivalent booster shot. Especially children and individuals that have underlying medical conditions (ie diabetes, asthma, other health risk factors), are immunocompromised or live with an immunocompromised individual or family member not eligible for vaccination (<5 yrs of age).
When should they get a bivalent booster?
It is recommended that children age 5 and older receive one updated bivalent booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was their final primary series dose or a monovalent booster.
What if they have already had a COVID infection, should they still get a bivalent booster?
Getting a bivalent booster after you have had a COVID-19 infection can still add protection to your immune system, help prevent another COVID-19 infection, and prevent serious complications or hospitalization from the disease.
Will this be the last booster they need?
It is very likely that new boosters will be needed in the future, we just don’t know when yet. Vaccine and medical experts are collecting data to determine levels of immunity from current doses and infections, whether new mutations will determine a need for a new formulation of vaccine, and if immunity differs across different age groups.
How can I learn more about whether a bivalent booster is right for my child?
Your child’s annual physical is always a good time to ask questions and get guidance about preventive health care decisions such as vaccination with your child’s pediatrician. Trusted sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.healthychildren.org) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) are also reliable sources of information and have answers to frequently asked questions.
COVID-19 Questions
How are COVID-19 Omicron and its subvariants transmitted?
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
- Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
- Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
- Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
Omicron variants spread more easily than earlier variants of the virus that cause COVID-19.
Regardless of vaccination status, the Omicron variant can be spread to others whether or not they have symptoms and can cause reinfection even after recovery from COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of Omicron and its subvariants?
Symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Data suggests that symptoms from the Omicron variant are less severe, but more data is needed to fully assess the severity of illness and death associated with this variant.
I’ve been prescribed Paxlovid and am having a hard time finding a pharmacy to dispense it. Can you give me some guidance?
Much of what the government allocates has been distributed to commercial pharmacies like CVS, Walgreen’s and in some cases Walmart. Inquire about availability at your local store. Then let your Duly provider know which pharmacy and they will call it in for you.
This tracker may also be helpful.
I have questions about Paxlovid. Where can I find more information?
The FDA has published some helpful FAQs
And here’s a link to Pfizer’s Fact Sheet
Can I be tested to see what variant I have?
Duly does not offer that testing- it is done randomly at a state level for trending purposes. Duly does participate in this state testing.
CDC COVID Data Tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
Are home tests accurate? Do I need a PCR test to confirm the result of my home test?
The home test can be considered reliable, and a PCR test is not needed to confirm a positive.
CDC COVID Self-Testing Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html
At-home COVID advice lists OTC recommendations to prevent severe COVID for adults. Are there any recommendations for children (pediatric patients)?
Yes. Per our physicians, vitamins C & D and zinc are recommended. Parents can discuss proper dosing with their pharmacist for children.
What are the new quarantine guidelines?
The guidelines for quarantine are changing quickly. Please find the latest CDC guidance for quarantine here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html