How to get the coronavirus vaccine in New York City, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccination information and resources

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Booking tips, tricks for COVID vaccine appointments
Darla Miles reports on scheduling COVID vaccine appointments in the Tri-State area.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered across the United States and in the Tri-State area. Find out if you are eligible and where you can go to get your vaccine:

How to get vaccinated in New York State:

All adults ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule and appointment and get the COVID vaccine in New York.

You can use the "Am I Eligible" app and https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ to use to check your eligibility and schedule. New York State also has a vaccination hotline you can call to schedule a vaccine: 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829).

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How to get vaccinated in New York City:

New York City is offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to any resident who requests one. Any New Yorker requesting in-home vaccination will now have the option to request their vaccine brand preference (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson).

Anyone age 16 and up to walk into a city-run site and get vaccinated.

All city-run sites are also open to all, regardless of geographic restrictions.

Vaccines are being administered at pharmacies to people with underlying conditions. You can visit vax4nyc.nyc.gov to make an appointment for a vaccine online. The phone number to schedule a vaccine is 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692.

RELATED: New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

How to get vaccinated in New Jersey:

New Jersey expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include all residents ages 16 and up.

You can reserve your spot to get a vaccine now by pre-registering at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/. The site asks questions to determine when you are eligible to receive a vaccination.

RELATED: New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

How to get vaccinated in Connecticut:

More than 50 providers of COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut no longer require an appointment prior to providing individuals with vaccinations. Connecticut residents can walk-up to the clinic and receive a vaccination on-the-spot.

For the most up-to-date list of walk-up clinics, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine/walkup.

All residents between the ages of 16 and 44 are eligible for the vaccine.

Qualifying residents can sign up online through the state's website. Several health care systems are also allowing people to sign up.

Connecticut has its own call center for eligible people to book appointments: 877-918-2224. The phone line is open 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. seven days a week.

You can get updates on how each state is handling distribution on these sites:

New York

New Jersey

Connecticut

Use social media to help find vaccine appointments

Join local social media groups that feature tips and ideas for how to find more information or track down an appointment in your area. Self-proclaimed "vaccine warriors" say they have helped thousands of people score appointments.

-New York

-New Jersey

-New York & Connecticut

-Pennsylvania

How to sign up with pharmacies

Depending on where you live, the major pharmacy chains may have vaccine appointments. Most will require you to fill out an eligibility form to get started:

-Walgreens/Duane Reade

-CVS

-Rite Aid

Common questions

If I get vaccinated do I still need to wear a mask/face covering?

Yes, you will still need to wear a mask and follow other precautions. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines boost your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to or spreading the virus.

Are there side effects to taking the vaccine?

Some volunteers in vaccine trials have reported they frequently feel flu-like effects after getting vaccinated such as body aches, or even fever and a headache, federal health officials said.

Will I receive proof of having the vaccine?

Vaccination cards will be used as the "simplest" way to keep track of Covid-19 shots, said Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition, which is supporting frontline workers who will administer Covid-19 vaccinations.

"Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due," Moore said. "Let's do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone's going to get that."

If I had COVID-19, do I need the vaccine?

According to the CDC, There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this. Until we have a vaccine available and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes recommendations to CDC on how to best use COVID-19 vaccines, CDC cannot comment on whether people who had COVID-19 should get a COVID-19 vaccine.

More answers to questions can be found on the CDC's website.

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New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

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