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Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know (Updated: 1/12/2022)

 

The Omicron variant will likely spread more easily than the other SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, although it is not yet clear how easily it spreads in comparison to other variants. The CDC expects that individuals infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated and/or asymptomatic. 

You can now track the Omicron variant, which is one of the variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions

Vaccines

Why should I get vaccinated even if vaccinated individuals can get infected with the Omicron variant?

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to Omicron variant infection. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters. 

So, what does that mean for me?

Healthy individuals who have been vaccinated, especially those that have been boosted, appear unlikely to develop severe infections from the Omicron variant that would land them in the hospital. With an increased immune response from getting the booster shot, individuals should have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19 and help prevent severe disease. 

So, why not get a booster shot?

Booster Shot & Third Dose (Updated:1/12/2022)

 

Booster Shot:

 

People who have received both doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are now eligible for a booster shot. To receive a booster shot, you must be one of the following:

 

✔ 18 or older

✔ 12-17 old (who received their Pfizer-BioNTech initial vaccine series at least five months ago are eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster only) 

 

You can only get a booster shot if you received your second dose of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine at least five months ago.

 

People who received the single-dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago are eligible for a booster shot of any of the three types of vaccines. To receive a booster shot, you must be: 

 

✔ 18 or older 

 

Third Dose:

 

People who are 12 years of age or older, have a condition or are taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weakens their immune system, and received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a third dose. These people should get their third dose at least 28 days after their second shot. The third dose should be the same brand as your first two doses, if possible (Pfizer or Moderna). 

 

Conditions and treatments may include: 

✔ Active treatment for cancer 

✔ Received an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy 

✔ Received a stem cell transplant within the past two years 

✔ Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency 

✔ Advanced or untreated HIV 

✔ Active treatment with a high dose of corticosteroids or other drugs that moderately or severely weaken your immune system 

 

This is not a complete list. The recommendation for a third dose is for people who have conditions like those listed above and not for most people with other medical conditions such as diabetes or heart or lung disease. If you have an immunocompromising condition or are taking drugs that weaken your immune system, discuss with your doctor whether you should get a third dose.

 

Some immunocompromised children aged 5-11 years old can get an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to complete the primary series. 

 

More information: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page 

If You Were Vaccinated Outside of the United States (Updated: 1/3/2022) 

If you were vaccinated abroad with other COVID-19 vaccines, you can get a booster shot if you are 18 years or older and you either: 

• Received all the recommended doses of a World Health Organization emergency use listing (WHO-EUL) COVID-19 vaccine external icon
• Or completed a mix and match series composed of any combination of FDA-approved, FDA-authorized, or WHO-EUL COVID-19 vaccines 

If you meet the above requirements you can get a single booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after getting all recommended doses or completing a mix and match COVID-19 vaccine series.

How to Prevent Further Spread (Updated: 1/3/2022) 

Masks

Masks offer protection against all variants.

• CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.
• CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.

Testing

Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19:

• Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection.
• Individuals can use the COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek.
  • Additional tests would be needed to determine if your infection was caused by Omicron.
  • Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.
• Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
  • If your self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider.
  • If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department

 

Who can get a vaccine

 

 

All NYC residents ages 12 and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. 

 

 

✔ The vaccine is FREE.

✔ The vaccine is SAFE for people with health conditions.

✔ You will NOT be asked about your immigration status when you get the vaccine.

✔ You do NOT need health insurance to get the vaccine.

✔ You do NOT need a government ID to get the vaccine.

✔ You MUST bring proof of age to get the vaccine. 

 

 

People ages 12 to 17 are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. 

People ages 18 and up are eligible for all vaccines.

 

 

A parent or guardian must give permission—in person or by phone at the time of the vaccination—for a minor to get vaccinated. City-run sites also accept a written permission letter that includes: the minor's name and date of birth; the parent or guardian's name, phone number, and signature. Anyone ages 12 to 15 are required to have an adult with them to get a vaccine. 
 

 

Watch our COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A with Pediatrician Dr. Patricia Tae (with English Subtitles) 
 

 

Where to get a vaccine

 

 

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine with or without an appointment. 

 

Find a vaccination site near you. 

 

 

To schedule, reschedule, or cancel a vaccine appointment, visit vax4nyc.nyc.gov or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). 

 

 

You can also visit vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 to find vaccines anywhere in the U.S.

 

 

All NYC residents ages 12 and older can also request an in-home vaccination and get vaccinated in the comfort of their own home.

 

 

Please note that the MinKwon Center does NOT provide vaccines and is NOT a vaccination site.

 

 

What you need to know about the vaccines

 

Help yourself, your loved ones, and your community members make an informed decision to get vaccinated by reading facts about the safety and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines below.

 

 

How to show proof of vaccination 

 

In New York, there are physical and digital ways to provide valid proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.

 

Tip: Take a photo of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card and save it on your smartphone. This is the easiest way to show proof of your vaccination.

 

 

Physical proof includes:

• CDC Vaccination Card

• NYC Vaccination Record

• An official immunization record outside from outside NYC or the U.S.

 

Digital proof includes:

• A photo of your CDC Vaccination Card on your smartphone

• NYS Excelsior Pass (iOS | Android) 

 

Lost your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card? Contact the place where you got vaccinated to receive a replacement card.

If you are unable to contact your vaccine provider, you can contact the NYC Health Department (call 311) to request a copy of your vaccination record. You can also get the NYS Excelsior Pass to get a digital copy of your vaccination card.

 

 

What you need to know after you have been fully vaccinated

 

After you have been vaccinated, please continue to wear a face mask and practice social distancing in indoor public spaces to reduce the spread of contagious variants of COVID-19. 

 

You should also get tested for COVID-19 if you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus—even if you are vaccinated and do not have symptoms. Find free COVID-19 testing sites in NYC.

 

Widespread vaccination and practicing safety precautions can help end the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Booster Shot & Third Dose (Updated: 9/29/2021)

 

Booster Shot:

 

Some people who have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine are now eligible for a booster shot. To receive a booster shot, you must be one of the following:

 

[✔] 65 or older

[✔] 18 to 64 and either have an underlying medical condition or a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their job (for example, health care workers) or where they live or frequently visit (for example, a homeless shelter)

[✔] Live in a long-term care facility

 

You can only get a booster shot if you received your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

 

Third Dose:

 

People who are 12 years of age or older, have a condition or are taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weakens their immune system, and received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a third dose. These people should get their third dose at least 28 days after their second shot. 

 

Conditions and treatments may include: 

[✔] Active treatment for cancer 

[✔] Received an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy • Received a stem cell transplant within the past two years 

[✔] Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency 

[✔] Advanced or untreated HIV 

[✔] Active treatment with a high dose of corticosteroids or other drugs that moderately or severely weaken your immune system 

 

This is not a complete list. The recommendation for a third dose is for people who have conditions like those listed above and not for most people with other medical conditions such as diabetes or heart or lung disease. If you have an immunocompromising condition or are taking drugs that weaken your immune system, discuss with your doctor whether you should get a third dose

 

More information: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility.page