COVID Vaccine

Following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and health districts throughout Georgia are offering Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccine to children 5-11 years old.

• The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11 years.
• After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, children may have some side effects similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines. The most common side effect was a sore arm. 
• Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalization, or long-term COVID-19 complications. 
• Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission. 
• COVID-19 vaccines have undergone—and continue to undergo—the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

To schedule an appointment, go to  https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/ or https://vaccinefinder.org/.

COVID-19 boosters are currently available through the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) health districts and participating providers. 

CDC recommends everyone 18+ years who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should get a booster.

When?

At least 2 months after a 1-dose vaccine, Johnson&Johnson/ Janssen

or

At least 6 months after a 2-dose vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Not all types of vaccines will be available at all sites. For information about COVID vaccines or to schedule a vaccination appointment visit dph.ga.gov/covid-vaccine or vaccinefinder.org.

DPH continues to stress the importance of vaccination for all Georgians aged 5 years and older. Vaccination is our best tool to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state.

Health Department Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line

(888) 457-0186

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM ET

Saturday – Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM ET

"Languages other than English available."

Georgia eligibility is now open for everyone 5 years of age and older for the COVID vaccine.

Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently authorized for children aged 5 through 15, and approved for 16 and 17-year-olds 

1. Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities.
   • Unvaccinated individuals should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.
   • With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates.
2. Data show Delta is different than past versions of the virus: it is much more contagious.
   • Some vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious.
   • Even so, vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of transmission occurring around the country.
   • Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated.
3. In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of Delta and protect others.
4. CDC recommends that community leaders encourage vaccination and masking to prevent further outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission.
5. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

• GRITS Hotline (Technical/IT questions):  866-483-2958 or email at [email protected] 
• Provider Support (VMS functional/IT questions and provider enrollment questions):  888-920-0165 or email [email protected]