Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Keeping up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to prevent serious illness, protect your community, and stay safe.
Key Takeaways
- Everyone 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
- It is especially important for those 65 and older, individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19, or anyone who has never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
- The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
- Vaccine protection decreases over time, making it essential to stay up to date.
- COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective.
Why Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines protect in multiple ways:
- Reduces Severe Illness: Vaccination significantly decreases the chance of severe illness if you contract COVID-19.
- Lowers Risk of Hospitalization and Death: Staying current with vaccinations helps lower the risk of severe outcomes.
- Decreases the Risk of Long COVID: Regular vaccination reduces the likelihood of developing long-term symptoms after infection.
- Community Protection: High vaccination rates make it harder for the virus to spread in communities.
Unvaccinated individuals remain at risk of severe illness and can more easily spread COVID-19, including to those who can’t receive the vaccine for medical reasons. Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated.
How to Get Vaccinated
Here are options to find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you:
- Visit vaccines.gov
- Speak with your health care provider
- Text your ZIP code to 438829
- Call 1-800-232-0233
To schedule an appointment, contact locations where you usually receive vaccines, such as your health care provider or pharmacy. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are available commercially, they should be accessible at most vaccine locations, similar to flu shots.
Attend a pop-up or mobile vaccination event
The State of New Jersey offers pop-up COVID-19 vaccination events and mobile vaccination clinics. No appointment needed to attend these events.
Vaccines for People Who are Uninsured or Underinsured
You may be eligible for no-cost vaccines if you are uninsured or meet specific criteria.
Two types of programs:
1. Vaccines For Children (VFC)
Available for individuals 18 years and younger who meet any of the following criteria:
- Medicaid-eligible (NJ FamilyCare Plan A only)
- Have no health insurance
- Are underinsured, meaning their insurance does not cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines (VFC vaccines can only be received at Federally Qualified Health Centers for underinsured individuals)
- American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN)
2. 317-Funded Vaccine
Available for individuals 19 years and older who:
- Have no health insurance
- Are underinsured, meaning their insurance does not cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines.
Vaccines for Homebound Individuals
If you or someone you care for is homebound, there are multiple ways to request an in-home COVID-19 vaccination:
Contact Your Local Health Department
Many local health departments offer in-home vaccination services. You can locate yours through the Local Health Department Directory.
Reach Out to Your Health Care Provider
Your health care provider, home care agency, or hospice provider may assist in arranging an in-home vaccination.
Additional Resources
- Medicare Hotline: Call 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or dial 2-1-1 to speak with someone, or search online for vaccination resources by typing "211" into your browser.
- Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL): Call 1-888-677-1199 for specialized support.
- Eldercare Locator: Visit Eldercare Locator or call 1-800-677-1116 for assistance.