We’re currently pausing COVID-19 vaccinations until the fall 2023 release of the XBB monovalent vaccine. We’ll provide updates on scheduling and more information soon.

According to the CDC, the current boosters provide some protection against the current XBB strains.

It’s likely just one shot will be recommended for most patients over age 12. For pediatric patients and immunocompromised patients, we’re still awaiting CDC, FDA and manufacturer guidelines. We’ll share that information when we have it.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone over 6 months old. You can schedule a vaccination appointment for yourself or a child through My Health Online. All vaccinations are by appointment only. Scheduling will resume this fall when the updated XBB vaccine is released

Check with your insurance provider to find out whether COVID-19 vaccines are covered under your plan.

Yes, please bring your insurance or Medicare/Medi-Cal card to your vaccination. Check with your insurance company about possible costs associated with vaccination.

Unless specifically indicated otherwise, you should be able to go ahead with most routine procedures and screenings either before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. However, talk to your doctor about getting a vaccine if you’re scheduling a surgery, transplant, hospitalization or a procedure that requires anesthesia.

Please wait 4-6 weeks after vaccination to schedule your mammogram.

Based on CDPH and CDC guidelines, pregnancy is considered a high-risk condition, with an increased chance of complications from COVID-19. According to the CDC, there’s currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination poses added risk during pregnancy including the development of the placenta, and patients should receive a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of trimester when eligible. In addition, there’s no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. Discuss the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and the risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, with your healthcare provider.

Learn more about pregnancy and delivery at Sutter during COVID-19.

Everyone is at risk for contracting COVID-19, and symptoms can be severe at any age. The CDC now recommends COVID vaccination for anyone 6 months and older.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine for your child will help to boost their immune response against COVID-19 and is the best way to protect them against COVID-19 and its complications. It will also help to reduce spread of COVID-19 across families, schools and communities.

Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted extensive clinical trials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older, determining that the known and potential benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the known and potential risks for children as young as 6 months of age.

According to the CDC, ongoing safety monitoring shows that COVID-19 vaccination continues to be safe for children. Learn more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination for children.

Children younger than 6 years of age may receive the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent vaccine as follows:

• Children 5 years of age without COVID-19 vaccine history may receive either a bivalent 2-dose Moderna or 1-dose Pfizer vaccine to complete their series.
• Children 6 months – 4 years of age without COVID-19 vaccine history may receive either a bivalent 2-dose Moderna or 3-dose Pfizer vaccine to complete their series.
• Children 6 months – 5 years of age with any history of prior monovalent doses should complete remaining doses in series using the bivalent vaccine.

*An 8-week interval may be optimal for some people ages 6 months–64 years, especially for males ages 12–39 years. A shorter interval (3 weeks for Pfizer; 4 weeks for Moderna) between the first and second doses is the recommended interval for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised; adults ages 65 years and older; and in situations in which there’s increased concern about COVID-19 community levels or an individual’s higher risk of severe disease.

†View recommendations and eligibility guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for ages 6 months and older and for people who are immunocompromised.

Based on available data, the FDA and CDC have concluded that either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are safe and effective in protecting against COVID and severe outcomes.

We’re currently pausing COVID-19 vaccinations until the fall 2023 release of the XBB monovalent vaccine. We’ll provide updates on scheduling and more information soon.

Yes, if you’re 17 or under, you need parental or guardian consent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Bring a parent or guardian to your vaccine appointment, or download the appropriate consent form, fill out a questionnaire and bring both with you.

COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form
English (PDF)

COVID-19 Vaccine Questionnaire
English (PDF)

If you have any specific health concerns, please contact your pediatrician to discuss your options. However, if your child does not have any specific health concerns, you may schedule your appointment without consulting your pediatrician.

Yes. According to the CDC, evidence indicates that people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after they have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. For children who have been infected with COVID-19, their next dose can be delayed 3 months from when symptoms started or, if they did not have symptoms, when they received a positive test.

Yes. The CDC advises children can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Most reported side effects are mild, temporary and similar to those experienced after routine vaccines, including increased fussiness, fatigue and soreness at the injection site. Side effects are more common after the second dose. Some children have no side effects.

We expect the side effects with the XBB vaccine to be similar to those of past mRNA vaccines.

Learn more about potential side effects in children after COVID-19 vaccination.

During the vaccine trials for young children, there were no cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, conditions that involve inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding tissue. The CDC says the known benefits of the COVID vaccine far outweigh the potential risk of having a rare adverse reaction to vaccination, including the possible risk of myocarditis or pericarditis. According to a study, it’s much more common to develop myocarditis from COVID-19 than the vaccine.

Recommendations for staying up to date can vary depending on your age, previous COVID-19 vaccinations you've received and whether you're immunocompromised. View recommendations and eligibility guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for ages 6 months and older and for people who are immunocompromised.

Yes. In accordance with CDC guidance, Sutter Health administers COVID vaccines to people who received FDA-authorized or WHO-EUL vaccines for COVID-19 outside of the U.S.  We’re currently pausing COVID-19 vaccinations until the fall 2023 release of the XBB monovalent vaccine. We’ll provide updates on scheduling and more information soon.