Vaccine Information

As of April 13, the CDC and FDA have recommended an immediate pause of the use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine in the US, in order to evaluate reported adverse events related to the vaccine. Learn More
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Please ensure you arrive on time for your appointment. Due to high demand, Westmed is unable to honor COVID-19 vaccine appointments if the patient has not arrived within 30 minutes of their appointment time.
New Yorkers that are 16 and older can make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on the New York State DOH website. Visit the CT COVID-19 Vaccine Portal to learn more about scheduling a vaccine appointment in Connecticut.

This is Your Shot

After a full year of dealing with the coronavirus, everyone is looking forward to returning to normal life. The COVID-19 vaccine not only protects you and your loved ones against infection, it also offers peace of mind. This is your shot to help end the pandemic.

Westmed has begun to receive intermittent shipments of vaccine. If there are no vaccine appointments available on our website please visit New York State’s COVID-19 vaccine website to make an appointment at a convenient vaccination site. As part of our continued efforts to protect you against COVID-19, we will remain a trusted resource for education about the vaccine and regular updates around vaccine arrival in our region and in our offices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am currently infected with COVID-19 or I have another respiratory illness? Should I still get the vaccine?

You should wait until you no longer have symptoms and are cleared by your provider before scheduling your first vaccine appointment. If you develop new symptoms before your scheduled vaccine appointment, be sure to notify your provider.

Is the vaccine safe?

All data we have from the clinical trials (which included more than 40,000 people, in the Pfizer trial, and more than 30,000 people in the Moderna trial) indicate that the vaccines are safe. No severe side effects were seen, and the mild or moderate side effects nearly always resolved within a few days. The FDA is continuing to monitor vaccine recipients to ensure ongoing safety. Safety has been a top priority while federal partners have worked to make COVID-19 vaccines available for use in the United States.

Are there any side effects?

Similar to the more common flu vaccine, side effects include soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site. Other less common side effects include fever, chills, fatigue, headache and muscle or joint pain. These symptoms usually indicate your immune system is working, and resolve on their own within a couple days. If they persist longer, you should contact your provider. As with all medications and vaccines, there is always a rare chance of an allergic reaction.

The vaccine should not cause respiratory symptoms, or loss of smell or taste. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms after receiving the vaccine, you should let your provider know. Remember that the vaccine does NOT cause infection, and it takes 1-2 weeks after the second dose to have its full effect.

Does this vaccine mean I can stop wearing my mask and go back to life as usual?

No. Until enough people have received the vaccine, we must continue to follow all guidelines on mask use and social distancing. It remains unknown whether the vaccine prevents transmission of the virus to others.

The vaccine is very effective, but there are a small percentage of people (less than 5 percent) who may not be completely protected. In order to help protect them, we will need to continue taking precautions such as wearing masks and social distancing. Lastly, until enough people are vaccinated, it will be important to use these precautions until the COVID-19 virus is much less prevalent in the community.

Click here for more FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Prepare for Your Appointment

What should I bring?
You will need supporting documents to show your proof of eligibility, such as the following:

- Proof of age and proof of residence in New York
- State or government-issued ID
- Statement from landlord; Current rent receipt or lease; Mortgage records

Proof of age may include:

- Driver’s License or non-driver ID
- Birth Certificate issued by a state or local government
- Current U.S passport or valid foreign passport
- Permanent resident card
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- Life insurance policy with birthdate; or
- Marriage certificate with birthdate

Examples of proof of eligible employment in New York:

- an employee ID card or badge,
- a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or
- a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status.

During Your Appointment

- Please ensure you arrive on time for your appointment. Due to high demand, Westmed is unable to honor COVID-19 vaccine appointments if the patient has not arrived within 30 minutes of their appointment time.
- You should allow for 45 minutes to one hour for your vaccine appointment.
- After your vaccine appointment you will be asked to stay in a monitoring area for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Where do I book my second appointment?

You will book your second appointment when you arrive at the vaccination site for your first appointment.

Do I have to pay for my vaccine?

You will not have to pay for the vaccine, it is free to all Americans for the foreseeable future.