COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know

The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 5 and up, and vaccine boosters for everyone 18+. All individuals age 5 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts are eligible to be vaccinated. Please note that only the Pfizer vaccine is FDA approved for use by individuals under 18 years old. Residents age age 5-17 should seek clinics administering the Pfizer vaccine.  Residents age 18 and older can get any vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines may become less effective over time, and booster shots can increase immunity, particularly as new variants like Omicron emerge. Learn more.

Flu Vaccine Alert: Different virus, different vaccine. Different viruses cause the flu (influenza) and COVID-19, so even if you’ve had the COVID vaccine, you still need a flu vaccine. Millions of people get the flu and thousands die from flu-related causes every year. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting the flu vaccine.

The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. Learn more.

The vaccine is available and free (you do not need health insurance) to everyone who lives, works or studies in Massachusetts, including undocumented immigrants. You do not need to be a US citizen or have a green card to get the vaccine, and getting the vaccine will not affect your immigration status.

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine:

Lowell Clinics: Walk-ins or by appointment. Ages 5 and up (Pfizer).
Old Ferry Road, Lowell (former Elks Lodge): Ages 12+
Massachusetts Vaccine Clinic Finder: Where vaccines are available in your community.
Massachusetts Vaccine Signup: Sign up for the vaccine.
MA COVID Vaccination Help: Volunteer organization that helps you book your vaccine appointment.
Lowell Community Health Center: Vaccinating health center patients only, ages 5-11. Walk-ins available.
City of Lowell. Lowell residents only. Walk-ins available.

About the vaccine:

Trust the Facts. Get the Vax: Vaccine safety, how it was developed, and how it works.
Center for Disease Control (CDC): Facts about COVID-19 and the vaccine.
Massachusetts DPH: Facts about COVID-19 and the vaccine.
Wellforce Vaccine resources and tools.

Vaccine Information Flyers

This education program is supported by funds from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

Vaccines are our best tool to protect us from COVID-19. Here are the facts you need to know.

The vaccines are safe and effective.

The vaccines approved for use in the US are all safe and effective. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized four vaccines – from Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax –  for emergency use. Doctors and independent experts confirmed they meet high safety standards. All individuals age 5 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts are eligible to be vaccinated. Residents aged 6 months and older can get their primary vaccine series (first two shots of Moderna or Pfizer). Children age 5 and older who receive the Pfizer vaccine should get a booster at least 5 months after their second shot. Only residents ages 12 and older are able to get the bivalent vaccine (omnicron specific) at this time.

Vaccines are free.

The federal government will cover the cost of your vaccine. Providers may charge you a fee to give the vaccine, but health insurance will likely cover it.

You CANNOT catch COVID-19 from the vaccine.

There is no live virus in the vaccine, so you cannot catch COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.

You may feel side effects.

Like other routine vaccines, you may get a sore arm, fever, headaches, or tired after getting vaccinated. These are signs that the vaccine is working.

Some people should not get the vaccine.

You can get the vaccine even if you have had COVID (usually around 30 days, but advise with your primary care doctor to see if you can get a vaccine sooner). You should tell your vaccine provider if you have a fever, have a history of severe allergic reactions, have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners, have immunity problems, or are pregnant.

Stay safe after the vaccine.

After you get the vaccine, wear your mask, stay six feet apart, and keep gatherings small for those who have not been vaccinated.

*Source: CDC

False: It was rushed and is not safe.
True: Researchers took no safety shortcuts with the vaccine. Large studies show the vaccine is safe.

False: It changes your DNA.
True: It is impossible for the vaccine to change your DNA.

False: It can give you COVID-19.
True: The vaccine does not contain a live virus strain. It cannot give you COVID-19.

False: It contains egg protein or shellfish.
True: The vaccine does not contain egg protein or shellfish and can be given to people with egg and shellfish allergies.

False: It causes severe side effects.
True: For most, the vaccine causes mild side effects that resolve in a few days.

False: It makes women infertile.
True: There is no evidence that the vaccine causes infertility.

False: It contains a microchip or tracking device.
True: There is no microchip or tracking device in the vaccine.

*Source: CDC

These may be helpful in talking with clients, staff, patients, and others who may have questions or concerns about the vaccine.

All vaccines are safe and effective. The four available vaccines—from Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson—are safe and effective.

The vaccines are free. The federal government covers the cost of the vaccine.

You may feel side effects. Like other routine vaccines, you may get a sore arm, fever, headaches, or tired after getting vaccinated. These are signs that the vaccine is working.

You CANNOT catch COVID-19 from the vaccine. It is not possible because it does not contain a live virus.

Some people should not get the vaccine.
Children under 6 months of age cannot receive a vaccine at this time. You should tell your doctor or vaccine provider if you have a fever, have a history of severe allergic reactions, have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners, have immunity problems, or are pregnant. You can get the vaccine even if you have had COVID.

The vaccine DOES NOT change your DNA, contain egg protein or shellfish, make women infertile, or contain a microchip or tracking device. These are false stories being spread to scare people.

You still need to stay safe after the vaccine.
It is important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic After you get the vaccine, you still need to wear your mask, stay six feet apart, wash your hands, and keep gatherings small for those who have not been vaccinated.