COVID-19 Updates: Learn the latest on coronavirus in our community

VaccinesVisitor GuidelinesCOVID-19 Info
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    Visitor Restrictions: Rochester Regional Health has implemented new visitor restrictions and masking guidelines Read More 

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Learn about coronavirus (COVID-19) information from Rochester Regional.

COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need To Know

Get the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines, including how they created, who should get them, safety, side effects, distribution updates and more.

Vaccination Eligibility & Clinic Updates

Update: April 6, 2021

Under new guidelines from state and local government officials, Rochester Regional Health recently received supplies and clearance to provide eligible individuals with the COVID-19 vaccine. Rochester Regional is excited to open our COVID-19 vaccination clinic at our Riedman Administrative Campus, located in Rochester, NY, to all New York State residents aged 16+. You do not need to be a Rochester Regional patient to schedule an online appointment.

Check Eligibility and Schedule Appointment

 

Our clinics are all pending vaccine allocation. If our clinics are full, you can also check the Finger Lakes Vaccination Hub for availability elsewhere throughout our region. We recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible wherever you can.

Resources

Finger Lakes Vaccination Hub New York State Eligibility Requirements Am I Eligible?  Getting Vaccinated: A Go-To Guide 3 Ways to Provide Proof of your Condition Community Conversations
  1. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  2. COVID-19 Vaccines
vaccination guide

A Go-To Guide to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

Due to recent shifts in vaccine allocation, Rochester Regional Health is no longer routinely contacting eligible patients to schedule first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments. View our Guide for the latest on eligibility for and availability of COVID-19 vaccination appointments in our region.

Read More
proof of chronic conditions

3 ways to Provide Proof of Your Condition for Vaccination

New Yorkers who have chronic conditions are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines through state, county and other local vaccination clinics. Learn how to provide proof of your condition in order to get vaccinated.

Learn More

Common Questions

  • Three vaccines are currently authorized and recommended for use against COVID-19, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Moderna vaccine and Janssen (a pharmaceutical company owned by Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

    There are two additional clinical trials in progress in the U.S.: 

    • Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

    Learn more from the CDC

  • In order to be declared safe and effective, all COVID-19 vaccines must pass certain tests and standards.

    The National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes for Health, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use scientific data from extensive research to help decide if and when new drugs and vaccines can become available to the public. The vaccines have been approved by public health agencies and are safe for use in most adults.

    Learn more from the CDC

  • Individuals who live, work or study in New York State over the age of 16 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in New York State.  

    View Rochester Regional Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Site - open to all eligible community members. 

    Remember, the COVID vaccine is safe—it can help protect you from contracting the virus, and lessen the severity of symptoms should you become infected.

  • Because the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States was initially limited, the CDC recommended that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines be offered to workers in high-risk professions for transmission, including healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents, followed by seniors and those with chronic conditions.

    Vaccines in New York State are now available to all individuals who live, work or study in New York State, aged 16 and over. 

    Read about who should be vaccinated first when supplies are limited

  • No, you can not get COVID-19 from the COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines do not contain the live virus. If you become infected after getting vaccinated, it is because you have been exposed to the virus before the body has built up enough immunity to help keep you protected. It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to build immunity.

    Even after you get the COVID-19 vaccination, you should continue wearing your mask, stay physically distant from others, avoid gatherings, and practice hand hygiene.

  • Experts do not know what percentage of people need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. Herd immunity is a term used to describe when enough people have protection—either from previous infection or vaccination—that it is unlikely a virus or bacteria can spread and cause disease. As a result, everyone within the community is protected even if some people don’t have any protection themselves.

    The percentage of people who need to have protection to achieve herd immunity varies by disease. Usually, it's at least 70% of the population or more.

  • We recommend using reputable sources like your local health care organizations, as well as local and state government channels for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines. Here are a few helpful resources: 

    • Rochester Regional Health COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs also available in Spanish
    • Rochester Regional Health COVID-19 Blog Articles
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
    • New York State Department of Health 
    • Federal Drug Administration
  • During the clinical trials for the vaccines, the most commonly reported side effects, which typically lasted several days, were pain and/or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, fever and chills. Side effects may feel like the flu and even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

    More people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose.

    Learn more about side effects

  • Vaccine doses will be given to Americans at no cost. However, vaccination providers can charge a fee for administering the vaccine. This fee can be reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company. Uninsured patients can get reimbursed by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

  • While you're waiting for the vaccine to become available, we recommend following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can do this by continuing to:

    • Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose whenever in public, especially when unable to maintain six feet physical distance from others
    • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 20 seconds
    • Avoid crowds and maintain physical distancing of six feet from other people whenever possible
  • COVID-19 vaccine trials have only just begun in children under the age of 16 and there is limited information available. For now, the COVID-19 vaccines are only available for individuals aged 16 and older.
  • New strains of a respiratory virus are not uncommon as a virus spreads. We are still learning more about whether the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people against all strains, says Dr. Emil Lesho, an epidemiologist for Rochester Regional Health.

    Learn more about the new strains of COVID-19

  • 1. The vaccines will help keep you and others from getting COVID-19.

    2. The vaccines will be a safer way than getting COVID-19 to build protection.

    3. Getting our community vaccinated is important in stopping the pandemic and getting back to normal.

    Learn more about why you should consider getting vaccinated

  • The CDC has revised its COVID-19 vaccination guidelines to suggest plans should be made by local jurisdictions to ensure equitable access to vaccinations and lists racial and ethnic groups as critical populations that may be at an increased risk of getting the virus. "For the first time, the African American and Latinx communities are at the front of the line to receive equitable treatment,” said Deborah Stamps, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Education and Diversity Officer. "Now is an opportunity for us to step up and participate, be engaged, and be leaders in really eradicating this virus moving forward.”

    Learn more about how the vaccines impact people and communities of color

     

     

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Community Conversations

Join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team as we discuss the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines for our communities.
Debbie Stamps
Deborah Stamps, EdD, RN
EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Duffy
Nananamibia Duffy, MD
Associate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Ebony
Ebony Caldwell, EdD
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office

Upcoming Community Conversations

  • April 6, 2021 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm

    Or call: 1-786-635-1003
    Webinar ID: 970 3525 5623
    ASL interpreter services will be available.

    Join Us
  • April 13, 2021 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm | Special Focus: Mary Cariola Center

    Or call: 1-786-635-1003
    Webinar ID: 932 5572 1847
    ASL interpreter services will be available.

    Join Us

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Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing: A Guide

If you find yourself in need of an asymptomatic COVID-19 test, follow this go-to guide on when and where to get one.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Groups: Are You Next?

All individuals over the age of 16 who live, work or study in New York State are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.

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Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Comparing the Approved COVID-19 Vaccines

Three COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved in the United States. Here's what we know about them.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: What We Know

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is now being distributed for administration in New York State. Here's what experts know.

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Monday, March 8, 2021

What Can You Do Once You’re Vaccinated?

Once you get vaccinated, what does it mean for mask-wearing, travel, social gatherings, herd immunity, and more? Drs. Maryrose Laguio-Vila and Robert Mayo provide their insight.

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Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Impact Fertility?

Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Marcy C. Mulconry weighs in on recent social media claims about the vaccines’ impact on women.

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A Quick Guide of COVID-19 Vaccine Terms

As you're staying up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 news, you may come across words you haven't heard before. We've provided definitions of common vaccine-related terms.

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Monday, February 8, 2021

Why We Got Vaccinated: Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers are among the first groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Read why some of our team members decided to get vaccinated.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Vaccines Pave the Path to Herd Immunity

As COVID-19 vaccines become more available over the coming months, people are wondering how herd immunity comes into play in ending the pandemic.

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Monday, January 4, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine: Impact on People of Color

People of color are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. EVP Deborah Stamps explains how the new vaccines impact African American and Latinx communities.

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COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women

Since the new COVID-19 vaccines weren't tested specifically on pregnant or breastfeeding women, how can people be sure they are safe to take if you're pregnant or nursing?

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Friday, December 18, 2020

COVID-19 Vaccines: Are There Side Effects?

While there may be some mild-to-moderate symptoms, the safety and effectiveness of the available COVID-19 vaccines were strongly tested in clinical trials that found no serious side effects or safety concerns.

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Status of COVID-19 Clinical Trials

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. Three vaccines are currently authorized and recommended for use against COVID-19, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Johnson and Johnson vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. Large-scale clinical trials are in progress by two additional companies for COVID-19 vaccines in the United States:

Pfizer-BioNTech

Approved for Use

Pretrial
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Approved for Use

Janssen (A Johnson & Johnson Company)

Approved for Use

Pretrial
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Approved for Use

NovaVax

Phase Three Trial Ongoing

Pretrial
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Approved for Use

Moderna

Aproved for Use

Pretrial
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Approved for Use

AstraZeneca

Phase 3 Trial Ongoing

Pretrial
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Approved for Use

COVID-19 Vaccine Related Videos

Vaccine Clinic
Watch a live experience of the Rochester Regional Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
First Community Vaccine Clinic
Watch the first vaccination clinic for our Community at Unity Hospital
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women
Dr. Tara Gellasch talks about the COVID-19 Vaccine safety for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
How mRNA Vaccines Work
Learn how the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine works to defend your body
COVID-19 Allergies
Dr. Shahzad Mustafa talks about allergies and allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine
FAQ's for Patients with Underlying Conditions
Dr. Jane Salamone talks about the most common questions and information for those with underlying medical conditions
video series background

COVID-19 Vaccine Myth Busting

6 Videos | Updated February 18, 2021Dr. Michael Pichichero, director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute, debunks common myths on the COVID-19 vaccines. As an expert with over 30 years of experience in vaccine research, he has worked on over 15 vaccinations.
View Playlist
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