Vaccination Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the updated Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, including pregnant people and people with compromised immune systems. See the current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the CDC for more information.

Why another vaccine? The new updated vaccines target the Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 illness), which are the variants that are making people sick right now. Because the virus continues to evolve, COVID-19 vaccines need to be updated periodically to stay effective, just like the flu vaccine.

This means that everyone 6 months old and older should get the updated vaccine this fall, regardless of the number or type of COVID-19 vaccines they have already gotten. Your health care provider will be able to tell you when you should get your shot and if it will cost you anything.

Is it still free? Most health insurance plans will continue to cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost or with a co-pay. People with limited health insurance coverage or without insurance can get free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the CDC's Bridge Access Program for adults and Vaccines for Children Program for children 18 years old and younger.

What about the old shots? The original monovalent and bivalent Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended and are therefore not being administered.

Get the Facts and get vaccinated.

Find the COVID-19 Vaccine Near You

If you have insurance, contact your health care provider or go to your local pharmacy to get the vaccine.

If you do not have insurance, or your insurance does not cover the vaccine, visit Vaccines.gov and search by your zip code. In the search results, select the box next to "Bridge Access Participant" to find a pharmacy offering free COVID-19 vaccines.

If other options do not work for you, you can get the vaccine at one of the MCPH clinic locations listed below. Walk in or call 704-336-6500 to make an appointment. If you experience long hold times on the phone, put your name on the waitlist for an appointment and someone will contact you.

  • Northwest Health Department: 2845 Beatties Ford Road
    • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Wed: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Southeast Health Department: 249 Billingsley Road
    • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Wed: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Valerie C. Woodard Center: 3205 Freedom Drive
    • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Wed: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Visit Vaccines.gov

Find a vaccine provider near you online or call 888-675-4567.

Request An Appointment Online

Add your name to the waitlist and someone will contact you.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccinations work by triggering your body to make antibodies that fight SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 illness). SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 illness, which also triggers your body to make antibodies.

So why get vaccinated? Because getting vaccinated gives your body a chance to protect itself before you get sick. That means that your body is much better prepared to fight the infection when you are exposed to the virus, so you are much less likely to have severe symptoms, be hospitalized, or die from COVID-19. You are much more likely to get really sick or die from getting COVID-19 than you are from getting the vaccine.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines from the trusted resources below: