COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
COVID-19 vaccines are your best chance to avoid serious illness. Appointments are available through Sutter by calling (844) 987-6115 or signing in to My Health Online.
- Primary vaccinations for ages 6 months and older (see requirements for kids and teens).
- Booster shots for anyone 6 months and older as well as additional doses for immunocompromised patients.
Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination
Call to Schedule
Call (844) 987-6115 and press 2 to speak with a representative. Our call center is open Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.
For appointments at Memorial Hospital Los Banos, call (209) 710-6333, or at Sutter Lakeside Medical Practice, call (707) 262-5088.
Digital COVID-19 Records
Share proof of vaccination or testing status right from your phone with our My Health Online app.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Types of Vaccines
Get the Facts
Review safety information, common myths and more about the available vaccines.
After Your Vaccine
Side effects include fever, body aches and fatigue. They’re a sign your body is building protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Sutter offers approved Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and boosters to eligible people.
Sutter also offers the Novavax vaccine that has recently been approved by the FDA and CDC. This vaccine is protein based and similar to the traditional flu and shingles vaccine. Novavax is authorized for ages 18 and older and you can receive it as long as you haven’t had a previous dose of any other Covid vaccine.
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. We’re giving vaccines at dedicated clinics as well as at our Sutter Walk-In Care locations. All vaccinations are by appointment only.
There’s no out-of-pocket cost to you to get the COVID-19 vaccine, though your insurance may be billed for the administration of the vaccine.
If you have Medicare, the plan covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card with you. You’ll need your Medicare card even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
If you have Medi-Cal, the plan covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to bring your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card with you. You’ll need your Medi-Cal card even if you’re enrolled in a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan.
Yes, please bring your insurance or Medicare/Medi-Cal card to your vaccination. There’s no out-of-pocket cost to you to get the COVID-19 vaccine, though your insurance may be billed for the administration of the vaccine.
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, 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 causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. 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.
No, Novavax hasn’t been approved to be mix and matched with any other Covid vaccines. It’s also not approved as a booster dose.
Children and Teens
Everyone is at risk for contracting COVID-19, and symptoms can be severe at any age. Especially considering the more contagious omicron variant, children are at risk for contracting and spreading the virus. The CDC now recommends the COVID vaccine for children 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.
The Pfizer vaccine is authorized and approved for children ages 6 months to 4 years. (Higher dose Pfizer vaccines for ages 5 and up are already available.) The Moderna vaccine is authorized for ages 6 months to 6 years.
Pfizer and Moderna Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children†
Vaccine age Doses Interval between
1st and 2nd dose*Interval between
2nd and 3rd doseDose Amount Pfizer 6 months – 4 years 3-dose primary series 3-8 weeks* At least 8 weeks 3 micrograms 1/10 the level of adult vaccine Moderna 6 months – 5 years 2-dose primary series
4-8 weeks* N/A 25 micrograms, 1/4 the level of adult 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.
†People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have specific COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for this age group. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Please refer to the CDC’s latest vaccine schedule for additional information.
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.
Sutter is scheduling pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for kids 6 months and older by phone at (844) 987-6115 or sign in to My Health Online to book.
Like older groups, children have the option of getting their vaccine through Sutter or from other community resources, including school clinics and some retail pharmacies — offerings may vary by location and be limited to certain age groups. Check My Turn for locations near you.
Yes, if you’re 17 and 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)
Spanish (PDF)
COVID-19 Vaccine Questionnaire
English (PDF)
Spanish (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.
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.
No, the Moderna bivalent vaccine is authorized for ages 18 and up and the Pfizer bivalent vaccine for ages 12 and up. There are no changes in vaccine schedule or type for children under 12 years old.
Additional Doses and Boosters
Currently, additional doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are approved for some immunocompromised people only.
Please refer to the CDC’s website for detailed guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for those who may be moderately or severely immunocompromised. This group includes those who have received an organ transplant, cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood or a stem cell transplant. If you have an advanced or untreated HIV infection or are diagnosed with another moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency or taking drugs that suppress your immune response, you also qualify to receive the additional dose.
If you were moderately to severely immunocompromised at the time of your first and second dose or have recently become immunocompromised, you may not know whether you need an additional dose. If you’re not sure, please consult your doctor.
Currently, you aren't required to provide documentation from your physician confirming you're eligible for an additional dose.
The CDC currently recommends certain individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems get an additional dose of their primary COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC recommendation varies based on an individual’s age and the vaccine type. Please review the following table for more information.
Additional Dose Recommendations
Recommended Ages Pfizer Moderna Janssen/J&J Age 4 and under No No No Ages 5 to 17 Yes – 28 days after the second dose No No Age 18 and older Yes – 28 days after the second dose Yes – 28 days after the second dose Yes – 28 days after the first dose (mRNA preferred) Schedule additional doses for certain individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems by phone at (844) 987-6115 or My Health Online.
For those 5 years and older, including immunocompromised people, the CDC recommends a booster dose. If you're eligible for an additional dose after your primary series, you should get this dose first before you get a booster shot.
Booster Dose Recommendations
Recommended Ages Pfizer Moderna Janssen/J&J Age 4 and under No No No Ages 5 to 11 Yes – a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine should be given 5 months after additional dose. No No Ages 12 to 17 Yes – a first booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be given 3 months after additional dose; a second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose. No No Age 18 and older Yes – a first booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna should be given 3 months after additional dose; a second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose. Yes – a first booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna should be given 3 months after additional dose; a second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose. Yes – a first booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna should be given 2 months after additional dose; a second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose. Scheduling of booster doses for moderately to severely immunocompromised patients is available by phone at (844) 987-6115 or My Health Online.
Additional dose appointments can’t be scheduled through your provider’s office. You can consult your doctor to determine whether you’re eligible for an additional dose if you’re unsure.
If you're age 5-17 and immunocompromised, you can receive an additional dose of the age-appropriate Pfizer vaccine with consent. Bring your parent or guardian to your vaccination or have them sign this form (English PDF | Spanish PDF), fill out a questionnaire (English PDF | Spanish PDF) and bring both signed documents with you.
If your vaccination status isn't on file with us, we recommend you bring your vaccination card or other proof of vaccination to your appointment.
No, the CDC hasn’t issued recommendations for mixing additional doses for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
According to the CDC, an additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series. A booster dose is given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have decreased over time.
Call (844) 987-6115 or visit My Health Online to book an appointment for the new bivalent COVID-19 booster (ages 12 and up). Appointment availability may be limited initially due to supply.
For children under 12, call (844) 987-6115 or sign in to My Health Online to book a booster vaccination.
Most retail pharmacies are also providing booster shots. Check My Turn for locations near you.
Bivalent Vaccine Booster Update
The CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was your final primary series dose, or an original (monovalent) booster.
Individuals can receive either a Pfizer (for ages 5+) or a Moderna (for ages 6+) bivalent booster regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine they previously received.
Call (844) 987-6115 Monday through Friday or sign in to My Health Online to book. Appointments may limited in some areas due to low availability of vaccine supply but we anticipate that appointment slots will increase as we receive more vaccines.
You can also check My Turn for available vaccination appointments near you.
J&J Boosters
The CDC recommends anyone who received a J&J vaccine two or more months ago get booster shots of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. If you received the J&J vaccine and would like a Pfizer or Moderna booster, call (844) 987-6115 or book through My Health Online.
Anyone over age 18 who received a primary dose and booster of the J&J vaccine at least two months ago can get a booster of the new bivalent Pfizer or Moderna vaccine through Sutter.
Sutter isn’t offering primary or booster doses of the J&J vaccine. Some retail pharmacies offer this option. Check My Turn for locations near you.
Yes. In accordance with CDC guidance, Sutter Health is administering primary vaccines or boosters to individuals who received FDA-authorized or WHO-EUL vaccines for COVID-19 outside of the U.S. Appointments are available through Sutter by calling (844) 987-6115.
According to the CDC, the reactions reported after Pfizer and Moderna booster doses were similar to those of the first and second dose of the vaccines. Most symptoms are expected to be mild to moderate.
We’re not currently offering the J&J vaccine but if you're 18 years or older, you can schedule a booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine no matter which vaccine you received in your primary series (Pfizer, Moderna or J&J). If you’re eligible for a booster, call (844) 987-6115 or book through My Health Online.
With the approval of the bivalent COVID-19 booster, the FDA discontinued the monovalent (original) booster for ages 5 years and older.