Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Contextualizing the Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of vaccinations in controlling the spread of the virus. However, a significant barrier to achieving global vaccination coverage has been hesitancy, often fueled by myths and misconceptions about vaccines. This problem is further amplified in war zones and areas with communication disruptions. In these regions, misinformation can spread unchecked, leading to increased hesitancy and subsequently, a higher risk of virus transmission.

One of the main concerns leading to vaccine hesitancy is the fear of adverse events following vaccination. A recent study conducted in Tigray, Ethiopia a region where vaccination has been stalled due to war sought to address these concerns by assessing the experiences of healthcare workers who received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. It found that a significant number of healthcare workers experienced at least one adverse event post-vaccination. However, the most common adverse events were mild to moderate, such as pain at the injection site and headaches. Further, the study found that younger age was significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse events, suggesting that the vaccines side effects are generally manageable and minor among the younger population.

Adding to the problem of vaccine hesitancy is the issue of distribution inequality. Less privileged countries lag behind in vaccination coverage, creating a lopsided global vaccination landscape. The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is further complicated in areas disrupted by war or communication issues. In these areas, the lack of infrastructure and communication networks makes it difficult to monitor and respond to adverse events following vaccination.

Addressing these challenges requires a combination of robust data collection and effective communication strategies. Local data on the mildness of adverse events can help build confidence in vaccines and counteract misinformation. However, collecting this data in war zones and communication-disrupted areas is difficult due to limited access to healthcare facilities and communication channels. As such, there is a need for better strategies to track and respond to adverse events in these settings.

In conclusion, overcoming the barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in war zones and areas with communication disruptions will require addressing myths and misconceptions, ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, and developing effective strategies for reporting and responding to adverse events. This is a complex task that will require concerted efforts from global health organizations, governments, and local communities. Only then can we hope to achieve the global vaccination coverage necessary to control the spread of COVID-19.

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Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in War Zones: Understanding Adverse Events Post-Vaccination - Medriva

Unveiling the Latest Research on COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness

Recent research findings reveal promising results about the effectiveness of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine has been found to provide significant protection against variants of the coronavirus. According to the CDC data, this vaccine was 54% effective in preventing COVID-19 from mid-September 2023 to January 2024. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of this vaccine as a preventive measure against the disease.

The potential impact of this vaccine on public health cannot be overemphasized. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool in combating the spread of infectious diseases, including the various COVID-19 variants. Particularly for those at higher risk of severe illness, getting vaccinated is vital. The CDC provides access to these vaccines through its programs and various locations, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to protect themselves against the virus.

A study assessing the effectiveness of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years found impressive results. During the period when the Omicron BA 4-5 sublineages were predominant, the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines offered significant protection. Vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 54.0%, while effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was 49.4%. This data clearly demonstrates the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines in children and adolescents, and it is recommended that all eligible individuals should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.

The 2023-2024 monovalent XBB 1.5 COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, including co-circulating Omicron variants. The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reports that receipt of the updated COVID-19 vaccine provided approximately 54% increased protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection as compared to no receipt of the vaccine. Protection is also offered against JN-1 and other circulating lineages, further emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations.

Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination rates remain relatively low. Current data indicates that only 21% of people over age 18 and 41% of those over age 65 have received the latest vaccine. This underlines the need for a concerted effort to increase vaccination uptake, especially among high-risk individuals. Public health advice strongly emphasizes the need for vaccination as a critical tool in combating the spread of COVID-19.

Overall, the updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccine shows an effectiveness of 54 percent against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Importantly, this protection extends to infections caused by JN.1 and XBB-related lineages. However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of the vaccine is expected to wane over time, especially against less severe disease. The findings strongly recommend all persons aged 6 months to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a dose of the updated vaccine. The fight against COVID-19 continues, and getting vaccinated remains our strongest weapon.

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Latest Research on COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness - Medriva

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The coengagement network of users tweeting about COVID-19 vaccines is divided into two large communities. Users are represented as circles and scaled by degree centrality. Edges connect users that were retweeted at least ten times by at least two of the same users. Colors indicate the two largest communities detected using the Infomap algorithm: anti-vaccine (pink) and pro-vaccine (green).

Credit: Harris et al.

While medical professionals and scientific researchers are some of the most effective sources encouraging vaccination, a study finds that individuals who appear to be biomedical experts may also be important anti-vaccine influencers on social media. Mallory Harris and colleagues investigated the scope and importance of perceived experts acting as potential anti-vaccine influencers to characterize the extent of this problem. Using a database of 4.2 million tweets containing keywords about COVID-19 vaccines from April 2021, a critical window for early vaccine uptake, the authors constructed a network of 7,720 accounts containing a large anti-vaccine community (1,879 accounts) and pro-vaccine community (2,241 accounts). Within those communities, 13.1% of accounts (678 users) were characterized as perceived experts, based on educational or professional credentials in their profiles (for example, including Dr. in a username). The authors did not attempt to verify the credentials of the perceived experts, focusing instead on how their expertise might be assessed by an online audience. Perceived experts were strikingly common in the anti-vaccine community (9.8%), though less common than the 17.2% of users who were perceived experts in the pro-vaccine community. In both communities perceived experts were central in the networks and received more likes and retweets than users who were not perceived experts. Perceived experts in the anti-vaccine community shared both academic articles and sources likely to be misinformation. According to the authors, potential interventions to reduce the impact of anti-vaccine misinformation spread by perceived experts include public education on evaluating source credibility, mechanisms to verify credentials on social media platforms, and disciplinary actions by medical boards against health professionals who spread misinformation.

Perceived experts are prevalent and influential within an antivaccine community on Twitter

6-Feb-2024

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Perceived experts as anti-vaccine influencers - EurekAlert

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How Americans view the medical profession shapes whether they are likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a new study shows.

Among people who were hesitant or initially didnt want a COVID-19 vaccine, those who trust the medical profession were more likely to ultimately get vaccinated. In addition, people who were vaccinated and reported trusting their own doctor were more likely to get a booster.

In contrast, trust in public officialsincluding national, state, and local leadersdid not shift behaviors around vaccination.

Our research suggests mobilizing the medical community is critical for addressing reluctance, uncertainty, and distrust of vaccines, says Diana Silver, professor of public health policy and management at the New York University School of Global Public Health and the lead author of the study in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports.

Trust in government institutions, experts, and the medical community emerged as flashpoints in the polarized context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, have long played a critical role in educating their patients about vaccination and administering vaccines, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought about new questions on the relationship among experts, trust, and attitudes toward vaccines.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data collected by Social Science Research Solutions from 1,967 US adults who were surveyed twice, once in April 2021 and again in June 2022.

The researchers asked participants about their levels of trust in the medical profession, their own doctor, and national, state, and local officials. The participants also answered questions about their views on the COVID-19 vaccine and whether they were vaccinated (in 2021 and/or 2022) and boosted (in 2022).

Levels of trust varied considerably between those who were vaccinated or eager to be vaccinated and those who were hesitant or refused to be vaccinated.

Among individuals who were vaccinated or eager to do so, 88% reported high levels of trust in their own doctors and 70% had high levels of trust in state and local officials.

In contrast, vaccine-hesitant individuals were far less trusting of officials: 46% reported high levels of trust in their own doctors and about 25% had high levels of trust in state and local officials. This pattern was the same for trust in federal officials and the medical profession.

Among those hesitant to get vaccinated in 2021, trust in the medical profession was associated with ultimately deciding to get vaccinated by 2022. And for those who were vaccinated or eager to be in 2021, trust in ones own doctor was linked to seeking a booster by 2022.

The research also reveals how COVID-19 vaccines have been politicized: holding trust in officials and other factors constant, Republicans and Independents were far less likely to ultimately choose to be vaccinated or seek booster shots than Democrats.

The researchers conclude that engaging the medical profession in communicating the benefits of vaccines will be needed in future pandemics.

The primary care workforce may, in particular, play an important role, given that many have long-standing relationships with their patients and have built trust, says Silver.

The National Science Foundation supported the work.

Source: NYU

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Trust in doctors may help overcome COVID vax hesitancy - Futurity: Research News

Finding Protection in Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines

A recent study has provided valuable insights into the role of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in protecting children and adolescents from SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19. This research highlights the importance of continuing vaccination efforts for younger age groups, as it demonstrates the effectiveness of these vaccines in reducing the spread of the virus and the risk of developing severe symptoms.

According to a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccination helps prevent the disease in children and adolescents. The study focused on the protective effect of the bivalent booster vaccine for both infection and symptomatic illness. The vaccine was found to be about 54 percent effective at preventing infection outright, and vaccinated children who caught COVID-19 were about 50 percent more likely to avoid severe symptoms. The vaccine demonstrated greater effectiveness in younger children, with an efficacy rate of about 60 percent in children aged 5-11, compared to about 48 percent in adolescents aged 12-17. Furthermore, children who previously had COVID-19 and were vaccinated with the bivalent booster were about 64 percent less likely to get infected or experience severe illness.

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines study included 2,959 participants aged 5 to 17 years. The data demonstrated the benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine in this age group, emphasizing the importance of keeping all eligible children and adolescents up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.

Research from a group of U-M researchers, which evaluated 80 studies and 150 million observations, found that all sequential doses provided substantial benefit in terms of preventing hospitalization and death. This study supports the practice of periodically updating COVID-19 vaccines for currently circulating variants, and showed that the fall 2022 bivalent vaccine provided strong protection against hospitalization and death.

Multiple recent studies suggest that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 helps reduce the risk of long COVID in both children and adults. Updated booster shots reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among older adults, with bivalent updated booster shots being roughly 72% effective against hospitalization and 68% effective against COVID-19 related death. The studies also suggest that the time of day when the vaccine is received may impact its effectiveness, indicating that it may be better to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during the day instead of the evening. Early evidence suggests that updated bivalent booster shots help protect against newer Omicron subvariants.

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Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines: Protection, Prevention, and Benefits - Medriva

In the continuing battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, with its ever-changing variants, a beacon of hope has emerged. According to recent data from the Netherlands, the updated Covid-19 vaccine displays an effectiveness of 70.7% against hospitalization from the XBB.1.5 variant. This new strain has been causing concern worldwide due to its potential impact on public health, but the updated vaccine provides a promising defense.

Groundbreaking research has shed light on the effectiveness of the updated Covid-19 booster vaccines, particularly the XBB.1.5 updated variant. This booster has been found to offer approximately 54% increased protection against symptomatic infections, including the JN.1 variant. This is a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic, especially as we adapt to newer variants such as XBB 1.5, XBB 1.16, and EG 5.1. These findings highlight the importance of the BA 4/5 bivalent booster, especially in an era where there is a concerningly slow uptake of vaccines and boosters among older persons.

Moreover, the ChulaCov19 mRNA vaccine has shown promising results, eliciting high neutralizing antibodies and strong T cell responses. This is a critical advancement, as understanding COVID-19 vaccines and their approvals is crucial in managing the pandemic. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which are fully FDA approved, and the Novavax vaccine, authorized for use through an emergency use authorization (EUA), have also played a significant role in curbing the pandemic.

New preprint research suggests that updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines help prevent severe illness and reduce the risk of long COVID. Moreover, updated vaccines have been found to be effective against the XBB.1.5 variant. Particularly among adults aged 60 and older, new Dutch research suggests that an updated Pfizer vaccine could help protect against severe illness. There is also evidence that updated booster shots reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among older adults.

Interestingly, a retrospective study found that COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness may fluctuate based on the time of day the vaccine is received. Daytime vaccination potentially provides more benefits, a discovery that could have significant implications for future vaccination strategies.

The latest Covid-19 vaccine offers strong protection against symptomatic infection, including from the XBB.1.5 variant. Updated Covid-19 vaccines provided 54% protection against symptomatic infection among immunocompetent adults. While the goal of the US Covid-19 vaccination program is to prevent severe disease, measuring vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection offers an extra early look at how well the vaccines are working. This is often the first estimate thats available because more people get an infection than are hospitalized, thus providing a large enough population to study sooner.

As we continue to navigate this global pandemic, its clear that updated vaccines and boosters are our best defense against newer variants. They offer significant protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly among older adults. As the virus continues to evolve, its crucial we stay informed and adhere to recommended vaccination schedules for optimal protection.

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Updated Covid-19 Vaccine: Effectiveness Against XBB.1.5 Variant | Health News - Medriva

Understanding the Role of Trust in COVID-19 Vaccination

A new study by researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health underscores the significant role that trust in the medical profession plays in determining COVID-19 vaccination behavior. The study analyzed data from 1,967 U.S. adults and found a clear correlation: individuals who trust the medical profession were more likely to choose to get vaccinated and seek booster shots. This relationship held true regardless of trust in public officials, revealing the unique and crucial role of health professionals in vaccine uptake.

The study reported varying trust levels among different demographic groups. Black and Hispanic individuals, in particular, reported lower levels of trust. This finding points toward the need for targeted efforts to build trust and promote vaccination within these communities. It further emphasizes the importance of the medical community in this endeavor, as their engagement could prove pivotal in promoting vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Interestingly, the study also shed light on the politicization of COVID-19 vaccines. It found that Republicans and Independents were less likely to choose vaccination or seek booster shots than Democrats. This politicization of health decisions could pose a significant barrier to achieving herd immunity and underscores the need for depoliticized, science-based communication about vaccines.

While much has been said about vaccine hesitancy, an editorial published in the New England Journal of Medicine by two pediatricians from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests a reassessment of this narrative. They argue that the prevailing media narrative on vaccine hesitancy could distort reality and that a significant majority of parents still choose to vaccinate their children. However, vaccine hesitancy does exist and its impact on global health can be substantial, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing vaccine hesitancy is no small task. It requires a comprehensive, culturally sensitive approach tailored to specific societal contexts. The study from NYU School of Global Public Health indicates that trust in doctors and nurses is linked to higher vaccination rates. Therefore, involving medical professionals in addressing vaccine hesitancy could significantly boost vaccine confidence and uptake.

The findings of this study have important implications for future pandemic responses. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for potential future health crises, it is crucial to engage the medical community in communicating the benefits of vaccines and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Building trust in the medical profession among different demographic groups could prove instrumental in promoting vaccination and ensuring public health.

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Understanding the Role of Trust in COVID-19 Vaccination - Medriva

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Dr. Crystal Wong (Photo courtesy of UW Medicine)

Virtually every time a patient comes in, Crystal Wong, a board-certified family medicinephysicianand an associatemedicaldirector atUniversity of Washington (UW) Medicine, carries out the same conversation.

Ive literally had hundreds of conversations about getting the new COVID-19 vaccine. Its something that we offer to every single patient that walks through our doors at the clinic, said Wong, comparing it to the conversation she has with patients about the flu shot.

In the end, the response boils down to one of three things.

They either say they want the COVID vaccine, or theyre not interested, or they dont know. If they dont want it, I ask why, and then hear out their concerns, she said.

In the end, only 10-20% of her patients opt out, after having the conversation.

But as Wong prepared last week for her next clinic, the conversation would become more urgent.

Wong had just received an urgent notification from the UW Medical Center.

The emergency room was full.

Do what you can to keep people out of the ER, it said.

The pandemic should have been over by now, thats almost everyones expectation. And officially it is. Thats partially why vaccination rates are so low, even in a state that had among the highest vaccination rates in the country.

As of Jan. 14, only 17% of Washingtonians had been inoculated with the new formula adjusted to cope with mutations in SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, according to the Department of Health.

That is abysmally low compared with a rate of 76% of people in this state whove had at least one shot of the old formula.

Wong, in an interview with Northwest Asian Weekly, said it is not typically concerns about the new formula that have prompted people to shy away from getting the new shot.

If youre a staunch non-believer in vaccines, it is very difficult for us to argue with you. Weve been having this conversation for years now, and theres not really a lot of new things coming up in the conversation.

Rather, among her patients, its more an issue of convenience, for those who have the means and time to see a doctor, and barriers for those who dont.

Its basically the pros and cons approach, she said. In addition, there is obviously less concern about COVID in the media. Wong shared that many are seeing COVID-19 like a normal cold as opposed to something that could be very deadly.

When people consider the cons of getting the COVID-19 vaccines, the biggest thing she hears is that the vaccine shots have side effects that make them sick. This, together with the idea that COVID-19 is not that serious, is making them not want to get it.

And thats where the conversation comes in.

After she hears out the concerns of those who are inclined against the vaccine, she responds with nuance.

I just say that from an individual perspective, you could be protecting yourself from something that hopefully is just a nuisance, but is a nuisance nonetheless, she said.

She also raises the bad outcomes, such as potential hospitalization, death, or long COVID, that many people may not think about.

Finally, she adds, that by getting vaccinated, From the community perspective, you are doing a public service by decreasing the spread.

For others, who may not have the means to see a doctor, lack health insurance, or have no time for an appointment, its a question of barriers.

Everyone cares about their health. No one wants to get sick, she said.

Another factor is the change in the way vaccines have been delivered. During the height of the pandemic, they were more accessible.

The federal government put so much effort into making the COVID vaccine incredibly accessible when it was direly important that we got people vaccinated, and its [the] ease of access to anything that really impacts how many people will get it, she said. Now, we dont have the same mass vaccine sites, we dont have the same outreach to employers, or such things that happened early on in the pandemic or even mid pandemic or even late pandemic, and I think a lot of people feel they have to seek it out if they want the vaccine.

The remedy? Make all health care, not just vaccines, more accessible.

Access to all healthcare should be excellent, especially for people that have a lot of barriers, she said. And there are some things that it would be easier to facilitate easy access than other things and vaccines are a great example.

There are resources that help bring up the level of accessibility for COVID-19 vaccines, such as the Bridge Access Program, Vaccines for Children Program, vaccine clinics, and support provided by local community organizations. So it is a matter of sharing this information with the community and making sure it reaches the ones that need to know about it.

On the other hand, not everything is possible.

I do wish that we had more resources at our fingertips to do bigger public health outreach for things that are really common and really impactful.

One thing that Wong does not do is resort to scare tactics.

Although shes had many patients and colleagues debilitated by long COVIDsome having to quit their jobs and go on disabilityshe wont exaggerate the risk to get people vaccinated using fear.

Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Made possible in part by the Washington State Department of Health through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This information does not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Washington State Department of Health or the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Low vaccine rates for the new COVID vaccine? Physician rolls out the conversation to address vaccine hesitancy - Northwest Asian Weekly

Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel Monday ruled out any relation between Covid-19 vaccine and deaths caused by heart attacks. This notion is totally baseless. Nearly 250 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered across the country. Heart attacks are not caused because of any side-effects of the vaccine. There is no relation between deaths due to heart attacks and the coronavirus vaccine, he said in response to a question by Congress MLA Imran Khedawala during Question Hour of the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly in Gandhinagar.

It is possible people may have got infected with fibrosis (a serious lung disease) due to Covid-19, which might decrease the capacity of lungs due to blockages. Otherwise, there is no relation between heart attacks and the coronavirus vaccine, Patel told the House.

Further, he added that as on February 4, there were 68 active Covid-19 cases in the state. The figures were revealed as the state government has stopped updating its Covid-19 figures on an online portal.

The minister stated that 80 patients, detected with the JN.1 sub-variant, have been treated so far till date. However, he added that JN.1 is a very weak sub-variant.

Meanwhile, AAP MLA Hemant Ahir asked the health minister under what rule was it decided to convert the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Dhrol in Jamnagar to a sub-district hospital (SDH) when it is only 45 kms from the district headquarters. His constituency of Jamjodhpur is around 95 kms away from the district headquarters and yet, the CHC there has not been upgraded as an SDH, he said. Emphasising that when it comes to health and education, without being partisan, without thinking of AAP or Congress, works are done across Gujarat, Patel said that an SDH is under consideration in Jamjodhpur.

Patel went on to add that both Dhrol and Jamjodhpur are in Gujarat and the upgradation of Dhrol CHC to a SDH is being done as per parameters and policy considered for such upgradation of health centres.

Meanwhile, in response to a question by Patan Congress MLA Kiritkumar Patel, inquiring about pending dues to be paid to hospitals in Patan under the PMJAY scheme, the data tabled shows that dues worth Rs 16.47 crore are pending to be cleared across 79 health facilities, including PHCs, CHCs, government and private hospitals, as on date.

Of the Rs 16.47 crore of pending dues, Rs 3.90 crore have been pending since six months, including CHCs in Sander and Varahi in Patan, and government-aided GMERS Hospital in Patan, along with 14 other health facilities. Dues worth Rs 42.78 lakh have been pending since a year, including at CHCs at Kakoshi and Kuvara in the district.

Ayurveda syrup deaths

Khedawala also quizzed about the action taken after four people died in November last year by allegedly consuming an ayurvedic syrup. In response, the Gujarat health ministry tabled a report stating that eight persons were arrested in the case and chargesheet has been filed.

All the arrested are currently in judicial custody. Additionally, the syrup was seized from 12 spots across the state, according to the department, that include three paan parlours at Mehmedabad, two paan parlours and a hotel in Vadtal in Kheda, and a shop in Nadiad town.

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No link between Covid-19 vaccine, heart attack deaths: Rushikesh Patel - The Indian Express

All individuals 6 months of age and older who reside in the United States are eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state.

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COVID-19 Vaccine | Department of Health - NY.gov