COVID-19 Vaccines

What causes COVID-19?

severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); a type of RNA virus of the Coronviridae family

How is COVID-19 transmitted?

super contagious; respiratory transmission is primary transmission

What are common symptoms of COVID-19?

• fever/headache

• cough/shortness of breath/sore throat

• nasal congestion/runny nose

• muscle/GI pain

• loss of taste or smell

What are more severe complications of COVID-19?

• pneumonia

• myocarditis

• blood clots

• neurologic/birth complications

What are the biggest risk factors for COVID-19?

• ≥ 75 years old has highest risk of death

• ≤ 6 months has highest pediatric risk of death

• 65–74 years old (particularly with comorbidities)

• pregnant individuals

What is the recommended pediatric schedule from US Dept of Health and Human Services?

• moderate-severely immunocompromised: 2 or more doses 

• all other pts: single dose

What is the recommended pediatric schedule from American Academy of Pediatrics?

• 6-23 months: complete full series (if already complete, give 1 dose)

• moderate-severely immunocompromised: 2 or more doses 

• 2-18 yrs: single dose if any of these apply:

  • high risk/lives with someone high risk

  • lives in congregate settings

  • no prior vaccine

What is the recommended adult schedule from HHS?

• 19-64 yrs (not immunocompromised): annual routine booster (>8 wks apart)

• 19-64 yrs (immunocompromised): 2 doses 6 months apart

• >65 yrs: 2 doses 6 months apart

Should pregnant individuals receive COVID-19 vaccines?

Yes; it’s recommended for extra protection and has no contraindications so it can be administered with other vaccines at any time

Can COVID-19 vaccines be coadministered?

Yes, with the exception of young male pts receiving doses at the same time as an orthopoxvirus vaccine (i.e. monkeypox) → recommended to have 4 week gap in between