COVID-19 Updates: Get the latest information from our experts: Vaccines Testing Visitor Guidelines Closings

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COVID-19 Vaccines

Safe. Effective. Available. Find out what you need to know about the vaccine.

  1. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  2. COVID-19 Vaccines

How to Get Vaccinated

Today, most Americans ages 5 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who are pregnant, have allergies, or are immunocompromised.

COVID-19 Vaccine Ages 5 - 11

Starting November 15, Rochester Regional Health will have doses of the vaccine for children ages 5 - 11 in nearly all our Pediatric and Family Medicine offices.

Patients can now contact their provider to schedule a vaccine appointment.

  • Rochester Regional Health Pediatrics

COVID-19 Vaccine Ages 12+

The COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12+ is available in a number of locations throughout our community - from state and county-run sites to pharmacies. Rochester Regional patients can also get the vaccine at 96 of our employed doctor's offices, including Rochester Regional Health pediatrics, primary care, OBGYN and Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology locations. Find a location near you using the tools below or connect with your provider today:

  • The Finger Lakes Vaccine Hub
  • Rochester Regional Health Pediatrics (for Rochester Regional patients)
  • Rochester Regional Health Primary Care and Family Medicine (for Rochester Regional patients)
  • Rochester Regional Health Obstetrics and Gynecology (for Rochester Regional patients)
  • Rochester Regional Health Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology (for patients with severe allergies)

View All RRH Locations Offering COVID-19 Vaccinations

Addressing Questions: What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine

With information and misinformation abundant online, we took the time to bring some of the most common questions about the vaccine to our expert doctors and researchers.

These are their answers that are backed by science.

“The Vaccines Are New”

  • The short answer is no. It’s common for people to have 1-2 days of body aches, chills and/or a mild fever immediately after getting their second shot. The vast majority of people then go back to living normally.

    If you are unvaccinated, you are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, experience symptoms, and become hospitalized than people who experience serious health issues after getting the vaccine.

  • At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the research for the basis of mRNA vaccines had already been completed. The FDA followed all the safeguards and regulations it always does for vaccine approval.

    This helped to get COVID-19 vaccines ready for approval and distribution much more quickly than we typically see.

  • The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is FDA-approved for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 and older. The vaccine is still available under emergency use authorization for:

    • Individuals 5-15 years of age
    • A third dose in immunocompromised individuals

    The full approval included additional evaluation of scientific data, safety analyses and further inspection of manufacturing processes, 

    The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines are being manufactured using the FDA’s emergency use authorization. Moderna has submitted an application for full approval.

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covid vaccine supporting image

“Are the vaccines safe…

  • The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA for individuals over the age of 16 for the prevention of COVID-19 disease. It has also been given emergency use authorization by the FDA for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in children 5-15. In order to get approved for use in children, the clinical trials had the same safeguards and oversight as the adult approval process.

    Michael Pichichero, MD, Director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute, goes into more detail in a video about COVID-19 vaccines and children.

  • Researchers have found no increased risk of infertility for women who got the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those who did not.

  • Data from hundreds of thousands of pregnant women who received the COVID-19 vaccine show they are not at any more risk than women who are unvaccinated.

    Some research even shows pregnant mothers pass their antibodies to their baby, helping to protect them against the virus.

  • If you have a health condition and are unsure how the COVID-19 vaccine might affect you, ask your doctor or primary care provider.

    If you need to find a doctor to talk with, you can find one using our Physician Directory.

“I don’t need the vaccine because…

  • If you tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered from the illness, your immune system does have antibodies that protect against COVID-19.

    However, research shows people who have immunity due to infection are more than twice as likely to get COVID again compared to someone who has immunity due to vaccination. Getting vaccinated will protect you better than relying on infection-acquired immunity.

  • Even people who are younger and have no history of health problems can get severe cases of COVID-19 if they are unvaccinated. It is hard to predict why some people get mild cases while others are more severe.

    Another benefit: The more people who are vaccinated and protected, the fewer people the virus can infect. Each vaccinated person is one step closer to ending the pandemic.

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covid vaccine supporting image

“Do the vaccines actually work?”

  • The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 95 percent effective in protecting against a COVID-19 infection. Wearing a mask helps to protect you even more. You could also be carrying the Delta variant, which is more contagious, and spread it to others.

    Michael Pichichero, MD, Director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute, talks more about the recent changes in mask-wearing guidance.

  • Nearly all viruses have variants, especially as they infect more people and adapt. While researchers do not know exactly what will come next, the current COVID-19 vaccines protect the vast majority of people who get them.

    Michael Pichichero, MD, Director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute, describes what happens with variants.

  • The rise in cases has been fueled by a lack of people getting vaccinated. Most of the cases arriving at hospitals are unvaccinated people infected by the Delta variant. The fewer unvaccinated people are out there, the fewer chances the virus has to spread .

    A more thorough explanation comes from Michael Pichichero, MD, Director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute.

Our Numbers

There are over 1 million people living in the Finger Lakes region and surrounding counties who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Finger Lakes region is comprised of nine counties. See the latest on our vaccination rates for the Finger Lakes, Allegany county as well as Steuben county.

What Do You Know About The Vaccine?

It can be tough to sort through the misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Put your knowledge to the test by taking our quiz!

Take the Quiz

COVID-19: The Latest News

Health Hive's COVID-19 articles focus on current coronavirus research, news, and insight from the region's top epidemiologists and infection specialists at Rochester Regional Health.

View All COVID-19 News

Recent News

Flu Season 2021-2022

This page reflects the most up-to-date data about the 2021-2022 flu season. Previous flu season data is also available for comparison.

COVID-19 in the Rochester Region

Daily updates on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and vaccination rates in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, and New York State.

The Need for COVID-19 Booster Shots

Any individual age 5 or older is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot five months after they were fully vaccinated. There are several reasons to get the booster.

COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 year olds: Parent FAQs

The CDC approved COVID-19 booster doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. Our experts answer questions.

View All Recent News Articles

Wondering how to talk with your doctor about the vaccine?

Here are a few ways to start:

  • Ask them why they got vaccinated
    Getting insight into your doctor’s decision-making process can be helpful and establishes some common ground.
  • Ask them why they think you should get vaccinated
    Your doctor knows your health history better than most.
  • Share your frustrations
    We are living in a global pandemic and a lot of people are sharing their thoughts and opinions about it. That can be overwhelming. Tell your doctor about those frustrations; it will help you both.
  • Be honest
    Your doctor is there to listen to your concerns – big and small. If you are straightforward with them, they will be too.
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Some families and close friend groups have different views on the COVID-19 vaccine

If you are concerned about someone not being vaccinated, here are some suggestions on talking about it:

  • Listen to the person’s concerns
    Hear the other person out. Making them feel heard and jumping straight to correcting them is an important part of a healthy dialogue.
  • Don’t assume you already know their exact position
    The person may not have the same information as you. If you focus too much on an idea you think they believe, the myth may become more memorable than the facts.
  • Bring an expert
    If you have a medical professional who is part of the family or friend group, ask if they would be comfortable being involved in the conversation. This brings both expertise and familiarity.
  • The power of “I don’t know”
    Admitting you don’t have all the answers is not a weakness. It is better to defer to someone with more expertise than say something you are unsure about for the sake of winning an argument.
  • Point them their own doctor
    Building on a trusted healthcare-focused relationship can be a good thing for both the doctor and your friend/family member.
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