COVID-19 Vaccine
Updated on 10/18/2024
Latest Updates
The new COVID-19 Moderna vaccine is now available at Stanford Medicine. Appointments are required. Or check your local pharmacy for vaccine availability.
Vaccine FAQs
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine may be given at the same time.
As per CDC guidelines, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 6 months and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Source: CDC
Stanford Medicine recommends that people who are pregnant or lactating discuss COVID-19 vaccination with their primary care physician if they are uncertain regarding vaccination.
Yes. Vaccination-induced immunity provides added protection after people recovered from COVID-19. As COVID-19 continues to drive higher infection and death among the unvaccinated, vaccination is recommended to ensure the safety of our community.
Stanford Medicine recommends that persons who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days discuss COVID-19 vaccination with their primary care physician if they are uncertain regarding vaccination.
Because of reports of anaphylactic reactions in persons who received the COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials, the CDC has proposed the following guidance:
- Persons who have had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable therapy (intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous) should not receive the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at this time.
- Persons who have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine should not get that specific vaccine.
- Vaccine providers should observe patients after vaccination to monitor for the occurrence of immediate adverse reactions:
- Persons with a history of anaphylaxis: 30 minutes
- All other persons: 15 minutes
- This recommendation does not apply to persons with other severe allergic reactions (for example, food allergies).
Stanford Medicine recommends that persons with a history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions discuss COVID-19 vaccination with their primary care physician. The CDC Interim Clinical Considerations document details more considerations.
Resources
Who should get vaccinated?
Get the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Vaccine safety and efficacy
Learn how the CDC measures vaccine efficacy and observational studies.
More prevention tips
See more ways to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Make appointments, access test results, and more.
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