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  or walk-in to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at Arlington County public health clinics.

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.

Arlington County Government and Arlington Public Schools (APS) will implement a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees. This joint action, effective August 30, is a necessary step to help keep the community safe and is consistent with COVID-19 public health guidance. This policy will also apply to interns, volunteers, substitutes, and contractors.

An additional, or third, dose of a vaccine is given to an immunocompromised person when the initial immune response following a primary vaccine series may have been insufficient.

A booster is administered when an initial, sufficient immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have weakened over time.

For COVID-19, a primary vaccine series is defined as either:

• Two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) separated by the recommended number of 21 or 28 days; or
• One dose of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.

Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines more than 28 days ago are eligible. Individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

Moderately to severely immunocompromised people include, but are not limited to, those who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Free walk-in and scheduled appointments are available at Arlington Mill Community Center and Walter Reed Community Center. Additional opportunities can be found at vaccines.gov; confirm availability with individual providers.

Individuals should bring their vaccination card with them so the provider can fill in the information about the additional dose.

No. Proof of medical condition is not required, though individuals will be asked to self-attest as having a qualifying condition at the time of vaccination.

An additional, or third, dose of a vaccine is given to an immunocompromised person when the initial immune response following a primary vaccine series may have been insufficient.

A booster is administered when an initial, sufficient immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have weakened over time.

For COVID-19, a primary vaccine series is defined as either:

• Two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) separated by the recommended number of 21 or 28 days; or
• One dose of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.

The current plan is to have adults aged 18 and older who received both doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) be eligible for a booster dose late in September. The booster dose would be given at least eight months after the person received the second dose of an mRNA vaccine.

FDA and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be reviewing the data and making the final recommendations on patient eligibility, including children, in the coming weeks.

For those who receive the J&J vaccine, more information about the need for booster doses is also expected in the coming weeks.

Arlington County is monitoring the federal and state discussions around booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine and actively planning for delivery. If boosters are approved, Arlington will coordinate with the Virginia Department of Health to administer them to the general public over several months.

People 18 years or older who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine will be eligible to get a booster dose at least eight months after they received their second dose. Administration of booster doses is expected to start in late September. FDA and CDC will be reviewing the data and more information will be available in the coming weeks.

Arlington County Government and Arlington Public Schools (APS) will implement a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees. This joint action, effective August 30, is a necessary step to help keep the community safe and is consistent with COVID-19 public health guidance. This policy will also apply to interns, volunteers, substitutes, and contractors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the Arlington County Public Health Division, COVID-19 continues to pose a risk, especially to individuals who are not fully vaccinated. Therefore, certain safety measures remain necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community.

Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to significantly reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, even with the Delta variant. This is part of a layered approach to keeping the community, as well as children under the age of 12, safe.

Arlington County and APS have offered vaccines to all employees and continue to follow Virginia Department of Health guidance regarding vaccination. APS is committed to ensuring that Arlington schools open safely and remain open for student learning; and Arlington County has an obligation to ensure continuity of government and government services. This includes providing critical services for the social, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing of the community. Reductions in critical government and educational services can have dramatic impacts on the health and wellbeing of our community.

Unvaccinated individuals are at a greater risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 within the workplace and to the public that depends on vital County services. County and APS employees will be required to submit vaccine documentation to their respective agencies.

All unvaccinated employees will be required to be tested at least weekly for COVID-19 to limit the potential spread in the workforce and in the community. Testing will be provided at no cost to the employee.

Reasonable accommodations will be offered to qualified employees with a disability or those with a sincerely held religious belief that prohibits them from receiving a vaccine.

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 or walk-in 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. 

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 can obtain a record of your vaccination you have received in Virginia.

To access your or your child’s COVID-19 vaccination record, click here. Enter your name, date of birth, and ZIP code. If there is a match, the system will send a verification code to the phone number associated with your vaccination record, through either a text message or an automated voice call. This prevents other people from accessing your record. Once you enter the verification code, you can view, save, and print your vaccination record.

If you cannot locate your COVID-19 vaccination record through the portal or you would like a record of other vaccinations, you may submit your request online. You can also contact the VIIS Help Desk at (866) 375-9795. The Help Desk will be staffed from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For other questions, please email vaccinerecord@vdh.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682).

If you registered for the vaccine through your employer and created an account using the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), you can log in at the website https://vams.cdc.gov where you can “View your vaccination certificate" in the Recipient Portal.

UPDATE (Sep. 16, 2021): The Virginia Department of Health announced the addition of QR codes to Virginia COVID-19 vaccination records.

The Virginia Department of Health announced on Sep. 16, 2021, the addition of QR codes – a type of barcode that can be scanned with smartphones – to Virginia COVID-19 vaccination records.

You can obtain your COVID-19 Vaccination Record with QR Code at vaccinate.virginia.gov on your smartphone, or tablet or computer browser. There is also a link to the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Request Portal in the free COVIDWISE app (tap “Virtual VDH” at the bottom). You can also call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) for help (call center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.)

Vaccination Records with QR Codes are available to anyone whose vaccination record is in the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) and includes a working phone number.

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.

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.

On Aug. 23, 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (it will now be marketed as Comirnaty) for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

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.

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.