COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

As of May 12, children ages 12-17 years are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

Individuals age 18 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID vaccine.

You can directly schedule an appointment to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at Arlington County public health clinics.  Walk in clinics are also available across the County at different locations, dates, and times.  

Please note: Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive their free COVID-19 vaccine. 

If you need ADA accommodations or require assistance scheduling your appointment with Arlington County Public Health, call 703-228-7999. For additional assistance, call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). 

You can also directly book appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for clinics, pharmacies and other nearby locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines. You can also contact your healthcare provider to see if they are administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients. 

You can also text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX) or to 822862 (VACUNA) to find three locations nearby that have vaccines available. 

You do not need to pre-register.

You can directly schedule an appointment to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at Arlington County public health clinics.  Walk in Clinics are also available across the County at various dates, times, and locations.  

You can also directly book appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for clinics, pharmacies and other nearby locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines. You can also contact your healthcare provider to see if they are administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients. 

You can also text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX) or to 822862 (VACUNA) to find three locations nearby that have vaccines available.

The County has offered vaccines to all of its employees. The status of individual vaccinations is a personal choice, and considered personal health information.

Free COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines are now available to children ages 12-15 years of age who live or are schooled in Arlington beginning Saturday, May 15. This follows the expansion of Pfizer’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to children 12 and over. 

For 12-17 year olds, the Pfizer vaccine is available through the County, pharmacies and other providers. To find vaccine providers, visit Vaccines.gov. 

There is plentiful vaccine – through the Arlington County Public Health Division, and through pharmacies and other medical providers inside and outside of Arlington. 

The Arlington County Public Health Division is offering clinics by appointment for children ages 12-17 who live or are schooled in Arlington. Visit our scheduling page for details and more information. 

Please note: Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive their free COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Saturday, May 22 - Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street South, Arlington VA, 22204 - Hours: 9am to 7pm 
• Sunday, May 23 - Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street South, Arlington VA, 22204 - Hours: 9am to 7pm 
• Monday, May 24 - Kenmore Middle School, 200 S Carlin Springs Road, Arlington VA, 22204 - Hours: 10am – 4pm

Yes, one parent or legal guardian must be present to provide consent for their dependent child (below the age of 18) to get the vaccine.

Your child will receive two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, separated by 21 days (3 weeks). The dose is the same for children aged 12–17 and adults. 

There are no plans to mandate that K-12 school children receive a COVID-19 vaccine at this time. The State General Assembly would need to approve that through Virginia’s immunization code.

COVID-19 vaccines (regardless of manufacturer) and other vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines on the same day, as well as administration within 14 days. 

Similar to the process for expansion of the Pfizer Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in 12-15-year olds, the FDA would have to approve the EUA expansion for children younger than 12. This would then go to the CDC for recommendation. Once approved by the CDC director, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) would need to endorse the recommendation before Arlington would begin to vaccinate children under 12.

No. Photo identification is not required for vaccination. You will need to provide a form of identification (e.g., drivers license, passport, student ID, pay stub, bill) when you arrive for your scheduled appointment. This is needed to confirm that we are vaccinating the right person. You cannot be turned away for lack of documentation.

The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States. Vaccination providers can be reimbursed for vaccine administration fees by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund. No one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay a vaccine administration fee. Arlington County Public Health does not bill insurance for administrative costs.

Please note that you do NOT pay to schedule an appointment; and you will NOT be asked for payment information, social security numbers or Medicare information. Please do NOT give this information to someone who asks.

The COVID-19 vaccine trial safety data have reported mostly mild or moderate symptoms after vaccination. The most common adverse reactions were temporary in nature, including: fever, body aches and soreness at the injection site.

Find the latest guidance from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health at the VDH page: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.

No. The vaccine does not contain a live virus. It only contains a piece of the genetic code for the spike protein, which protects your body from the virus. It cannot give you COVID-19.

You are fully vaccinated for: 

• Pfizer: 14 days after receiving the second dose of this two-dose vaccine. 
• Moderna: 14 days after receiving the second dose of this two-dose vaccine 
• Johnson and Johnson (Janssen): 14 days after receiving one dose (one-dose vaccine) 

If you lost your card prior to receiving your second dose, you may obtain a new card from your vaccinator when you receive your second dose. We also advise you to take a picture of your card for your records.

If you lost your card after your second dose or after completing a one-dose vaccination series, you may obtain your vaccination record by:

• Emailing the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) help desk at vaccinerecord@vdh.virginia.gov or calling 866-375-9795 to request a replacement.
• Visiting the website, https://vams.cdc.gov, if you registered for the vaccine through your employer and created an account using the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). After logging in, you will be directed to the Recipient Portal where you can “View your vaccination certificate.”

Yes. The second dose must be of the same vaccine from the same manufacturer. 

Individuals will receive instructions at the end of their first dose on how to obtain their second dose. If anyone has questions or needs scheduling assistance for their second dose appointments, please call the County’s COVID-19 hotline at 703-228-7999.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single shot and does not require a second dose.

Arlington County provides second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those who received their first dose through Arlington County Public Health Clinics. We recommend that you work with the provider of your first dose to obtain the second dose.  

If you are unable to obtain a second dose through the initial provider, please email vaxapptsupport@arlingtonva.us (or call our COVID-19 Information line at 703-228-7999) describing your situation. Please also attach a copy of your vaccine card that shows the date of your first dose and the manufacturer. 

Currently, there are three COVID-19 vaccines that have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in the U.S.

• Pfizer: On Dec. 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in persons 16 years and older. On May 10, 2021, the FDA expanded the EUA to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.
• Moderna: On Dec. 18, 2020, the FDA issued an EUA for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. ACIP issued an interim recommendation for its use in persons aged 18 years of age and older.
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): On Feb. 27, 2021, the FDA issued an EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, allowing it to be distributed in the U.S. for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. Following a thorough safety review, the FDA and the CDC have determined that the recommended pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine in the U.S. should be lifted and use of the vaccine should resume.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines; the Janseen vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.

Vaccine ingredients lists can be found on the manufacturer’s fact sheets:

• Moderna, see page 2
• Pfizer-BioNTech, see page 2
• Janssen, see page 2

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are given in two doses by injecting it into the muscle, similar to the flu shot. The second dose should be administered about three weeks after the first dose for the Pfizer-BoiNTech and four weeks for the Moderna vaccine. Your shot will be recorded on a vaccination card and you will be asked to follow up with a second appointment at the appropriate time. You must receive both doses as scheduled in order to fully benefit from the vaccine’s protection.

The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine requires one dose.

Yes. It is recommended that you should still get the vaccine. It is important to note that regardless of a previous COVID-19 recovery or vaccination, individuals will still need to abide by the same health and safety protocols recommended by the CDC and Health Division. Read more: CDC’s FAQ about COVID-19 Vaccination.

We’re currently recruiting Complete Vaccine Committee (CVC) Organizational Partners. A CVC partner organization is an organization that agrees to receive and share information from the CVC and County Officials on the vaccine, including educational information, materials that can be shared with others, and updates on the distribution process. Sign up to be a CVC Organizational Partner: https://www.arlingtonva.us/cvcpartner/.

Also, see details on becoming part of our Medical Reserve Corps. In addition, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is recruiting Community Ambassadors. VDH Ambassadors are individuals who agree to share COVID-19 updates and materials from top experts and sources. Sign up here.

Finally, our community still has an immediate need for resources outside of the vaccination effort. Visit https://volunteer.leadercenter.org/covid-19-care-community to learn more about these opportunities to help.

Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 frequently asked questions on vaccination: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-faq/vaccination/  

COVID-19 vaccines have satisfied the requirements issued in the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before the FDA grants an EUA, the safety and efficacy of these vaccines were reviewed by FDA scientific staff and by an independent panel of experts convened by the FDA. The CDC and the FDA will continue to monitor individuals who have received the vaccine to ensure there is no evidence of even rare safety issues. The vaccines were tested in large studies to include tens of thousands of people to make sure they met safety standards and protect people of different ages, races, and ethnicities. The study results showed that the vaccines’ benefits outweighed possible risks and provide protection from COVID-19.

COVID-19 can be a severe or fatal disease, even in young, healthy people. The risks from COVID-19 illness are greater than the possible risks from receiving the vaccine, therefore, when you are eligible for vaccination, it is strongly recommended you receive the vaccine. If you have specific questions about whether or not you should receive the vaccine when it is available, please contact your primary care provider.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines -- These vaccines include a piece of messenger RNA, or mRNA, that your body uses as instructions to make a protein that appears on the surface of the virus. Your immune system reacts to this protein and develops a response without danger of coronavirus infection. This allows your body to start preparing to fight against the virus even before you are exposed.

The Janseen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine is a viral vector vaccine -- for COVID-19 viral vector vaccines, the vector (not the virus that causes COVID-19, but a different, harmless virus) will enter a cell in our body and then use the cell’s machinery to produce a harmless piece of the virus that causes COVID-19. This piece is known as a spike protein and it is only found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Following a thorough safety review, the FDA and the CDC determined that the recommended pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine in the U.S. should be lifted and use of the vaccine should resume.

None of the vaccines can give you COVID-19.

Vaccine ingredients lists can be found on the manufacturer’s fact sheets:

• Moderna, see page 2
• Pfizer-BioNTech, see page 2
• Janssen, see page 2

In clinical trials, the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines were shown to have high efficacy (>94%) in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after two doses. They also showed that they could prevent severe disease. The vaccine works by stimulating our body’s immune system to make “antibodies” to the COVID-19 virus. These antibodies allow the body to quickly defend itself if one becomes infected with the virus.

While vaccines are very effective in preventing COVID-19, they are just one tool. Even for those who have been vaccinated, a combination of actions is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. After getting the vaccine, it will still be important to adhere to all health and safety recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health.

The CDC has publicly available information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine at www.cdc.gov. Individuals can select to read information on the CDC website in multiple languages.