We’re providing the updated monovalent XBB Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 4 years of age. We’re offering the updated Moderna vaccine for individuals 5 years of age and older.

The XBB vaccine is not related to the previous bivalent vaccine and is therefore considered a new vaccine, and not a booster.

Yes, but you should wait at least 2 months after your last dose of bivalent vaccine before getting the new XBB COVID-19 vaccine.

For healthy individuals 5 years of age and older, only one updated vaccine is necessary to be up to date. For immunocompromised people, one or more updated doses may be required based on their prior vaccination history.

For children 6 months to 4 years of age who were not previously vaccinated, 2 doses (Moderna) or 3 doses (Pfizer) are needed.

Healthy individuals 5 years of age and older only need one dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.

The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time. There is no combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine at this time so two shots are still required.

Most individuals can get both vaccines in the same arm. However, anyone getting the enhanced flu vaccine approved for those 65 years and older should get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines in different arms if possible.

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.

The XBB COVID-19 vaccines are covered by most insurance companies. No-cost vaccines are available for adults through the CDC’s Bridge Access program or for children through the Vaccines For Children program.

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.

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.

There’s no mix and match option for children in this age group. They’ll need to receive a Pfizer vaccine if that’s what they received previously. The same applies for the Moderna vaccine.

You can find the latest information about vaccine updates from the CDC here.

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. See the CDC’s guidance for timing vaccines after acute illness.

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

The CDC recommends the updated XBB COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older to protect against serious illness, with the following guidance for staying up to date:

• Healthy individuals 5 years of age and older should get 1 updated vaccine, regardless of vaccine history.
• Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get one or more updated vaccines based on prior vaccine history.
• Children ages 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 vaccine history will need one or more vaccines. The XBB vaccine must be from the same manufacturer as their previous vaccine. There’s no mix and match option for this age group.

• Children ages 6 months to 4 years old who have never been vaccinated will need to complete a 2-dose series of Moderna or a 3-dose series of Pfizer using the new formulation.

See CDC recommendations for staying up to date.

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.