COVID-19 Updates
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COVID-19 Updates: For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, please click here.

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing

information about third doses and booster shots

On August 12, 2021, the FDA authorized a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines to be given to people with moderate to severe immunosuppression. This includes:

  • Active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • Organ transplant recipients who are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Stem cell transplant recipients (within the last 2 years or taking immunosuppressive medications)
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (e.g. cortisone, prednisone) or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

The third dose must be given at least 28 days after your second dose. Studies showed inadequate immune responses to only two doses in these populations, so this is considered part of the initial dose series and is not the same as a booster shot. If you fall into one of these categories you can schedule an appointment online or call Trillium Health at 585.545.7200.

On August 18, public health officials released a statement saying that adults who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should get a booster shot 8 months after their second dose, beginning the week of September 20. However, on September 17, a panel of experts only recommended Pfizer boosters for people age 65 and older or at high risk for severe COVID 6 months after their second dose. This plan is still subject to FDA approval. We will update our website as more information becomes available. A booster shot is meant to maintain an already adequate immune response in people who previously completed the series.

get vaccinated, get a gift card

When you receive your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at one of our pop-up clinics, you can receive a gift card!

LEARN MORE

We're currently offering vaccinations for all members of our community, including the Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 and up!

Vaccinations are given at 259 Monroe Avenue in the Trillium Health Pharmacy. Please be sure to wear a mask, bring your insurance card, and allow 20 minutes for your appointment.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

 

If you need assistance in Spanish, please call 585.545.7200. Si necesita ayuda en Español, llame al 585.545.7200.

Questions about vaccinations or testing?
We're here to help!

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs:

  • Yes! We recommend that everyone be vaccinated. It's safe and effective.

    Getting vaccinated is good for you, your family and friends - and it helps us get to "herd immunity" that can stop the pandemic.

  • There are 3 vaccines available in the United States.

    Pfizer vaccine: people ages 12 and older.

    Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines: people ages 18 and older.

  • Most people will have pain or redness at the injection site that does not interfere with daily activities. Fatigue and muscle aches are other common side effects. Usually, these side effects last 1-2 days.

    You may have heard about blood clotting problems with some vaccines. These events are rare – about 1-2 people per million vaccinated. When the CDC vaccine committee looked at this, they concluded the known benefits of vaccines outweigh potential risks.

     https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html

  • Probably not. We will ask you a series of questions about how you are feeling. If you have a fever, fatigue, muscle aches or a flu-like illness, you should wait until those symptoms are gone before you are vaccinated.

  • The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are 95% effective at reducing COVID infection; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a bit lower. If a vaccinated person gets a COVID infection, the infection does not get worse or require going to the hospital.

    In young people, ages 12-15, the Pfizer vaccine was 100% effective at preventing any COVID infection in people who were vaccinated.

  • Yes, based on our experience so far. The Moderna vaccine trial had a small number of people living with HIV in the trial. All of them did well and responded to the vaccine. Side effects in people with HIV were the same as with other groups in the trial.

    Moderna and other manufacturers are doing separate studies of vaccine in people living with HIV - so more information will follow.

  • Yes. Data from a U.S. CDC pregnancy registry did not find an increased risk of miscarriage among nearly 2,500 pregnant women who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Learn more:

    https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html

  • Yes. In fact, people with underlying medical problems are at high risk for complications from COVID infection and will benefit from the vaccine. The vaccine reduces the risk of COVID infection and reduces the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.

  • No. None of the vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that the vaccine can't make you sick with COVID-19.

  • COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant.

    Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.

    If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the Delta variant, you might be able to spread the virus to others.

    People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated.

  • If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.

    In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

    People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

    If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

    See CDC recommendations for details:

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

    At Trillium Health, we require universal masking at all locations.

Dr. William Valenti receives his first COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Still undecided about the vaccine?

Hear from our team and members of our community about why they chose to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

TEAM TESTIMONIALS   COMMUNITY TESTIMONIALS