COVID-19 Vaccination

The Niagara County Department of Health will continue to offer FREE COVID-19 vaccine at several sites.

View the Upcoming Clinic Schedule

Groups recommended for vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States for the prevention of COVID-19. There is currently no FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than age 6 months. CDC recommends that people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.

See Appendices A (People who received COVID-19 vaccine outside the United States) and B (People who received COVID-19 vaccine as part of a clinical trial) for recommendations for these populations.

Overview of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule

CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older receive at least 1 bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

An overview of COVID-19 vaccination is summarized below.

Bivalent mRNA vaccines

The number of bivalent doses varies by age, vaccine, previous COVID-19 vaccines received, and the presence of moderate or severe immune compromise.

For people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised:

  • At the time of initial vaccination, depending on vaccine product, children ages 6 months–4 years are recommended to receive 2 or 3 bivalent mRNA vaccine doses; children age 5 years are recommended to receive 1 or 2 bivalent mRNA vaccine doses
  • People ages 6 years and older who are unvaccinated or previously received only monovalent vaccine doses are recommended to receive 1 bivalent mRNA vaccine dose
  • People ages 65 years and older have the option to receive 1 additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose


For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:

  • At the time of initial vaccination, people ages 6 months and older are recommended to receive 3 bivalent mRNA dosesboy-receives-bandaid
  • People ages 6 months and older who previously received only monovalent doses are recommended to receive 1 or 2 bivalent mRNA vaccine doses, depending on age and vaccine product
  • People who previously received a bivalent mRNA vaccine dose(s) have the option to receive 1 or more additional bivalent mRNA doses


Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

People ages 12 years and older who previously received 1 or 2 monovalent Novavax COVID-19 primary series dose(s) are recommended to receive 1 bivalent mRNA vaccine dose. 

Most people ages 6 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and have received 1 dose of a bivalent mRNA vaccine do not need any further vaccine doses at this time. People ages 65 years and older who received 1 dose of a bivalent vaccine have the option to receive 1 additional dose at least 4 months after the first bivalent dose.

COVID-19 Vaccination for Individuals NOT Previously Vaccinated

 Age

Pfizer-BioNTech

Moderna

Novavax*

6 months–4 years old

3 bivalent doses

2 bivalent doses

Not authorized

5 years old

1 bivalent dose

2 bivalent doses

Not authorized

6–11 years old

1 bivalent dose

1 bivalent dose

Not authorized

12– years old and older

 1 bivalent dose 1 bivalent dose 2 doses
Note: booster available for 18+ only

Age 65 years and older

 Have the option to receive 1 additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose at least 4 months after the first dose of a bivalent mRNA vaccine.

 

The Novavax* COVID-19 vaccine is authorized to provide:

  • A 2-dose primary series to people ages 12 years and older. The primary series doses are separated by 3–8 weeks. An 8-week interval between the first and second primary series doses might be optimal for some people ages 6 months–64 years, especially for males ages 12–39 years, as it might reduce the small risk of myocarditis and pericarditis associated with this vaccine.
  • A booster dose in limited situations to people ages 18 years and older who previously completed primary vaccination using any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine; have not received any previous booster dose(s); and are unable (i.e., mRNA vaccine contraindicated or vaccine not available) or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose. The monovalent Novavax booster dose is administered at least 6 months after completion of any primary series.

For individuals that have received 1 or more monovalent vaccines and not yet received a bivalent vaccine, please consult with our immunization specialist onsite to determine if additional vaccines are needed.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and dosage for children and adults, visit:


Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. 

Consultation with an Immunization Specialist:
If you are not sure what vaccine is most appropriate for you or your child, please bring your COVID-19 vaccination cards with you, and our immunization specialist will review your record and help register you for the appropriate vaccine. 

Missing/Lost Vaccination Cards:
If you cannot locate your COVID-19 vaccination cards or forget them at home, please inform our staff so that we may look up your immunization record and issue you a new card.

Vaccination of Minors:
All children ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  NCDOH recommends that all minors be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Providers may accept a COVID-19 Immunization Screening and Consent Form completed by the parent or guardian, where the parent or guardian is not available in person or by phone to provide consent to vaccinate.  Look for the form under “Vaccination of Minors Ages 6 months – 17 Years” here: www.niagaracounty.com/health/Vaccine  Unaccompanied minors should also bring ID/proof of date of birth (birth certificate, passport, learning permit/driver’s license, benefits care, etc.).  

Accommodations:
Our staff have years of experience administering vaccinations to people of all ages including infants and people who are fearful of needles. 

If you or your family member are in need of accommodation or assistance to safely attend one of the clinics, please contact us at 716-439-7431.

College Students: 
Many colleges and universities have removed the mandatory requirement for students to have the COVID-19 vaccine.  For students enrolled in health-related or clinical programs (medical, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dental, etc.) there may still be a requirement for the COVID-19 vaccine.  Students should check with their academic department, clinical coordinator, or clinical site for more information.

Upcoming Clinic Schedule


Niagara County Fair
4487 Lake Ave, Lockport, NY 14094
Wednesday, August 2  - Saturday, August 5, 2023                                                        10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Sunday, August 6, 2023                                                                                                                      10:00 AM- 4:00 PM

NEW! Unity in the Falls
Hyde Park – Shelter C
3200 Pine Ave. Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Saturday, August 12, 2023                                                                                                                11:00 AM – 2:00 PM



Please use the above links to secure an appointment time. If you are unable to register online, please call 716-278-1900.  If you are registering for a 2nd or booster dose, please have your vaccine card available, you will be asked to confirm your previous vaccination dates.

The registration system will display an error message if registration for a 2nd  or booster dose date is earlier than the recommended interval.

Vaccine Finder: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489 )