Three COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson) are currently available. The Pfizer vaccine received full FDA approval in August and is available to anyone ages 12 years or older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are under FDA Emergency Authorization Use (EUA) and available for anyone ages 18 years or older.

Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children will only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration has certified as safe and effective for all patients and employees, including our most vulnerable populations. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization. All three vaccines have been thoroughly tested and found to be safe and effective in preventing serious disease. Consent by a parent or guardian is required for anyone under 18. Consent can be provided through MyOchsner, during ePreCheck, through a witnessed legal consent form, or in person at a vaccination location.

Appointments are encouraged and walk-ups are welcome.

MyOchsner users can check availability and schedule their vaccinations via MyOchsner. If you have never been to an Ochsner location before and do not have a MyOchsner account, you can sign up at my.ochsner.org, visit Ochsner.org/appointment-availability or call 1-844-888-2772.

Ochsner Health is now administering an additional, or third, COVID-19 vaccine for those who meet certain criteria for immunocompromised individuals as laid out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).

A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is approved for people with medical conditions or people receiving treatments that are associated with moderate to severe immune compromise.

Please talk with your healthcare provider about your medical condition to see if getting an additional dose is appropriate for you.

Criteria are as follows:

• Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (> 20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
• Other conditions which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions.

If you qualify as an immunocompromised individual, please schedule your third vaccine appointment today on MyOchsner where you will be able to see the locations most convenient to you.

If you originally received the Pfizer vaccine, your third dose should be Pfizer. If you originally received the Moderna vaccine, your third dose should be Moderna. At this time, CDC and FDA have not authorized additional shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We will need additional data to determine if additional shots are needed for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

• Those who do not have a MyOchsner account can sign up at my.ochsner.org or by calling 844-888-2772. If you have a MyOchsner account, login here. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ups are welcome.

A booster of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to adults at increased risk.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for adults at increased risk, following guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you are 6 months out from your two-dose Pfizer series, you are now eligible to receive a booster shot if you are:

• Age 65 or older
• Age 18 or older and have one of many underlying medical conditions
• Age 18 or older and live or work in a setting that places you at risk of being exposed to COVID

Ochsner Health is now administering Pfizer booster shots to individuals at our regularly scheduled vaccination events across the state. Click here for vaccine locations.

Get the latest schedule of vaccination events.

Vaccine Events

View Vaccine Availability

• Following full approval from the FDA , no one is excluded from receiving the vaccine as there are no medical contraindications except for a severe allergic reaction to this vaccine or any of its components.
• Because the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, MyOchsner or the COVID hotline will automatically schedule the second dose at the same location with the appropriate length of time (21 or 28 days depending on which vaccine you receive) between visits.
• Most importantly, all three vaccines have been thoroughly tested and found to be safe and effective in preventing serious disease. All three vaccine have continuous and intense safety monitoring and more than over 346 million doses of COVID-19 have been given in the U.S.

Ochsner takes the health and safety of our patients and staff seriously. The following precautions are in place:

• Fully vaccinated staff will have identification of their vaccination status on their ID badge. Ochsner requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 29, 2021. Learn more.
• All Ochsner staff regardless of location, role or vaccination status must be fully masked at all times while indoors at an Ochsner facility. This includes our corporate and non-clinical staff.
• All staff are required to complete a mandatory training course on COVID-19 safety standards in the workplace.

• Since this is a novel virus, we are still unsure how long the vaccine antibodies will last. However, recent data indicate that the mRNA vaccines continue to have a strong response for at least 6 months post-vaccination.

• Like the flu shot, the vaccine is administered into a large muscle in the upper arm. As is the case with any vaccine, allergic reactions may occur. Some may experience mild fever, soreness, muscle aches, headaches, chills, fatigue/tiredness, muscle or joint pain, redness and/or swelling at the site of administration. These are signs of an immune response to the vaccine and expected in some patients.
• Based on data reported from the FDA emergency use authorization (EUA), possible side effects have been more prominent after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
• If you have pain or discomfort, you can take your normal pain reliever or talk to your pharmacist about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot, you can apply a clean, cool compress over the area. To reduce discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids.

• We recommend that people continue their routine medications as prescribed by their physician which may include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Patients who have one of the CDC-listed underlying medical conditions and are prescribed NSAID by their physicians, are not excluded and are encouraged to receive the vaccine.

• While extreme serious reactions to the vaccine are rare, you should seek medical care if:
  • you experience a severe allergic reaction call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
  • the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
  • your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days
• Ochsner On Call can answer questions at 800-231-5257 or 504-842-3155
• If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
• Report side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Reporting instructions are included in Fact Sheet you received when you got your vaccine.

• The vaccine cannot cause you to test positive via nasal swab or saliva test. This is not a live vaccine and will not cause you to shed virus.
• It takes four to six weeks to become fully vaccinated. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of either Moderna or Pfizer or the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Some patients may still become infected or develop symptoms following vaccination against COVID-19. No vaccine is 100% effective. Those that do get infected after vaccination, so called breakthrough cases of COVID-19, are more likely to have mild or no symptoms. Even with the more contagious Delta variant, COVID-19 vaccines have shown 90% effectiveness in preventing severe infections that require hospitalization.

• That is the intent. Instead of traditional vaccines, which may use the virus itself, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will use a protein on the outside of the virus. This means the vaccine can’t cause COVID-19 in a person, because it’s not using the virus that causes the disease.

• This stimulates your body’s immune system to mount a response as if it were a true infection, minimizing your risk of infection or disease burden should you encounter the same virus later. While there is evidence that people with breakthrough cases from the Delta variant can spread COVID-19 to others, those numbers overall are low.
• However, in order to stop this pandemic, we need to use every tool available which includes the vaccines, social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks.

• No, there are no restrictions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, but you should continue to wear your mask, social distance and practice good hand hygiene.

• No deferral is necessary for whole blood or platelet donors who received non-replicating, inactivated or RNA-based vaccines or the mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

• No. The FDA does not feel that it would be acceptable for these individuals to donate CCP. This is because it is not known yet if the CCP would be efficacious from a vaccinated person.

• Yes. Remember, it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines that require 2 shots may not protect you until two weeks (14 days) after your second shot.
• With the rapid rise in cases due to the Delta variant, the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors regardless of vaccination status especially in COVID-19 hot spots. It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions.

• Yes. There is not enough information currently available to say how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. In order to stop this pandemic, we need to use every tool available which includes the immunization, social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks.

• Yes, there is no need to delay other immunizations after your COVID-19 vaccine.

• If you are fully vaccinated and have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive, you are not required to quarantine unless you are symptomatic.
• You should get tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days post exposure, or until you receive a negative test result.

Third Dose

A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is approved for people with medical conditions or people receiving treatments that are associated with moderate to severe immune compromise.

Criteria are as follows:

• Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (> 20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
• Other conditions which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions.

If you qualify as an immunocompromised individual, please schedule your third vaccine appointment today on MyOchsner where you will be able to see the locations most convenient to you.

• Those who do not have a MyOchsner account can sign up at my.ochsner.org or by calling 844-888-2772. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ups are welcome.

Learn More About Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Learn More About Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

State of Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccination Third Dose Medical Risk Factor Self-Attestation Form

Booster

A booster of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to to adults at increased risk.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for adults at increased risk, following guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you are 6 months out from your two-dose Pfizer series, you are now eligible to receive a booster shot if you are:

• Age 65 or older
• Age 18 or older and have one of many underlying medical conditions
• Age 18 or older and live or work in a setting that places you at risk of being exposed to COVID

Ochsner Health is now administering Pfizer booster shots to individuals at our regularly scheduled vaccination events across the state. Click here for vaccine locations.

Get the facts on COVID-19 booster shots, here.

Sometimes immunocompromised people do not build enough protection against a vaccination, and a third, or additional, dose can help them build more immunity against the disease.

A booster dose is an additional dose for those who have built enough protection after their vaccination but then that protection decreases over time. Booster doses are needed to add protection after time has passed and the initial protection has decreased.

• COVID-19 vaccination may not be for everyone. If you are unsure if you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please call your healthcare provider to discuss the possible benefits and risks.

• Following guidelines from the FDA, no one is excluded from receiving the vaccine, even patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The only medical contraindications to receiving this vaccine are severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine or severe allergic reaction to components of this vaccine.

  • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine both strongly recommend vaccination for those that are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • In fact, pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared with non-pregnant people. Severe illness includes illness that requires hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator or special equipment to breathe, or illness that results in death.
  • Additionally, pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of preterm birth and might be at increased risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with pregnant women without COVID-19.
  • Additionally, you may also review this advice from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine for those pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Based on trial data, people ages 16 and 17 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine under Louisiana’s eligibility criteria.
• Adolescent patients under 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian present when being immunized.
• Additionally, there are a few trials that are enrolling various age groups including children ages 12 or greater with new trials for lower age groups that start as young as six months old.
• Just like the adult COVID-19 vaccine trials, data from children and adolescent COVID-19 vaccine trials will need to support the safety and efficacy of the vaccines before FDA EUA approval for the population.
• Ochsner will only recommend and administer vaccines that have been evaluated for safety, effectiveness and individual patient needs.
• The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization.

• Yes, the Delta variant is affecting people of all ages. Across the U.S., we have seen a rapid increase of cases in people of all ages creating a concerning fourth surge of COVID-19. Additionally, the majority of hospitalizations are in those who are unvaccinated and within the ages of 20-50-years-old.

• For those with children over the age of 2, continue to wear your mask even indoors per new CDC guidelines, practice social distancing and maintain good hand hygiene.
• We encourage all parents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and those who are not eligible for the vaccine.

• The claim circulating on social media that the COVID-19 vaccine causes female infertility is FALSE and is not supported by any research.

• Yes, children ages 12 and older with high risk of complications from COVID-19 and who weigh at least 40 kgs or 88 lbs. are eligible for some of the adult infusion treatments.

Vaccinated individuals who have a breakthrough case of COVID-19 can be contagious and spread COVID-19 to others, including immunocompromised people and children who may not be able to receive the vaccine yet. Despite the Delta variant’s higher viral load than previous variants, getting vaccinated still provides protection against contracting the virus. Most importantly, getting vaccinated protects you from the more severe symptoms experienced by unvaccinated individuals.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Nearly all patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. are unvaccinated. Louisiana and Mississippi rank among the lowest in the nation in vaccination rates, leading to the high infection and hospitalization rates in our states. Getting vaccinated protects you from contracting the virus, but most importantly, it protects you from the more severe symptoms experienced by unvaccinated individuals that lead to hospitalization and death.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

An unvaccinated person who gets infected can pass the virus to a vaccinated person. And while the vaccine provides great protection from serious illness, extra precautions must still be taken to protect those who are on certain medications or have a seriously weakened immune system. Unvaccinated individuals pose a threat to these vulnerable populations in our communities.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Those waiting too long to be vaccinated are allowing the virus to continue spreading in their communities. As the virus continues to spread, it will mutate and new variants like Delta will emerge. It is imperative that everyone who can get vaccinated does so as soon as possible. The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you and others are protected.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, you could be reinfected with another variant of the COVID-19 virus. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection from other variants in people who have recovered from COVID-19.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Once those instructions are transcribed, both the mRNA and viral vector vaccines degrade rapidly in your body. The mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. The viral vectors used in COVID-19 vaccines are non-replicating and don’t have the machinery to insert its DNA into our cellular DNA. Both types of vaccines get broken down by your body’s cells and are gone within a few days.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

COVID-19 vaccines remain the key to bringing the pandemic under control. However, no vaccine is 100% effective at preventing illness in vaccinated people. Experts have always known there will be a small percentage of fully vaccinated people who still get sick from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports no unexpected patterns among those experiencing breakthrough infections.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Meanwhile, pregnant and recently pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness, including preterm birth, from COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all eligible persons, including pregnant and lactating individuals, receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, there is no evidence that female or male fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

There is no evidence that female or male fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the fertility of women who are seeking to become pregnant, including through in vitro fertilization methods. While pregnant women were excluded from the initial Pfizer vaccine trial, 23 women in the trial became pregnant after receiving the vaccine and delivered healthy babies.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

The COVID-19 vaccine encourages the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the coronavirus’s surface and “teaches” the body’s immune system to fight the virus that has that specific spike protein on it. The spike proteins targeted by the vaccines are completely different than the protein associated with placental growth and attachment.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

While the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. continue to be remarkably effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death, available data show that protection against COVID-19 begins to decrease over time. According to the latest assessment by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the current protection could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout. By getting a booster shot, you can maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations.

Click here to download the fact sheets.

• Appointments are highly encouraged and walk ins are welcome.
• MyOchsner users can schedule their vaccinations via MyOchsner or by calling 1-844-888-2772. You can also see which Ochsner regions across the state have vaccine appointments at Ochsner.org/appointment-availability.
• If you have never been to an Ochsner location before and do not have a MyOchsner account, we encourage you to enroll at Ochsner.org/myochsner. This is a secure portal that allows patients to schedule appointments at the click of a button.
• Patients receiving Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will schedule their first dose via MyOchsner or by calling 1-844-888-2772. Your second dose is guaranteed. Ochsner will notify you of the exact date and time of your second dose appointment via text and email within 24 hours of when your first dose is administered.
• We appreciate your willingness to be part of the solution to end this pandemic.

• Anyone age 18 years or older is eligible for all COVID-19 vaccines and anyone who 12 years or older is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine in Louisiana.

• Adolescent patients under 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian present when being immunized.

• If you are receiving a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, your second dose appointment will automatically be scheduled once you have received your first dose. It will be scheduled at the correct interval of time from your first dose: 19 – 23 days for Pfizer, or 26 - 30 days for Moderna, from your first dose.
• Ochsner will notify you of the exact date and time of your second dose appointment via text and email within 24 hours of when your first dose is administered.

• As with any appointment type, you can call our contact center at 1-844-888-2772 to verify the date and time of your second dose appointment.

• We ask that patients keep their second dose appointments as they are scheduled, but we understand that sometimes appointment times no longer work. If you must change your second dose appointment, please call 1-844-888-2772.

Get the latest schedule of vaccination events.

Vaccine Events

View Vaccine Availability

How to Access in MyChart

Learn About Smart Health Cards

Please note you must download the latest version of the MyChart app to see the QR codes. If you received your COVID-19 vaccination at Ochsner, you can display a QR code in the MyChart/MyOchsner app on your phone that you can use to show your vaccination status. Log in to the app, go to the menu at the top of the page, click on “COVID-19’’ under “My Record,’’ and click on the green button at the bottom of the page that says “QR codes.’’

• Vaccines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after rigorous and extensive development in laboratories, as well as pre-clinical animal studies and testing on human volunteers, to ensure they are safe and effective.
• Monitoring of the vaccine and how it’s produced, including regular facility inspections, must continue for as long as the manufacturer holds a license for the vaccine.
• Additionally, the drug sponsor follows a multi-layered approval process, which includes an investigational new drug application, clinical trials and presentation of data to a special FDA advisory committee.

• During a public health emergency, an EUA authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a product available to diagnose, treat or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases.
• The FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have assured the public that no safety or efficacy evaluation steps would be skipped in approving the vaccine.

• An emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the emergency or until the FDA grants approval. To win full FDA approval for a New Drug Application, the pharmaceutical sponsor will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug's safety and benefit for patients.

• You do not need to take a COVID-19 test prior to receiving the vaccine. If you are COVID-19 positive, then it is recommended that you follow the CDC guidelines and isolate for 10 days to limit exposure to others. Once you are out of isolation, you are able to receive the vaccine.

• There will be no direct cost to employees or patients at this time.

• No, the current vaccine trials will continue for the intended duration which for most trials is 24 months.
• Additionally, we will see more trials for new vaccines and new targeted populations and these new potential trials will need research participants.
• With more than 7 billion people in the world, more trials are needed to help vaccinate the entire world.

• Yes, Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children continue to encourage all eligible community members to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others and ultimately end this pandemic.
• The vaccine is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics which says “the COVID-19 vaccine is our best hope for ending the current pandemic” and urges youths and adults to get the vaccine as soon as it is available to them.
• Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children participated in the adolescent Pfizer 12-17-year-old vaccine trial, which means our patients contributed to the safety data submitted to FDA.
• Data specific to the 12-15-year-old group shows 100% efficacy, robust antibody responses and was well tolerated.

• Although children and teenagers are at less risk of severe complications from COVID-19, the virus has still seriously impacted millions of children and teens across the globe.
• Children and teenagers who have COVID-19 may have no symptoms but are still able to transmit the virus to their parents, grandparents, teachers, friends and loved ones.
• Vaccinating children and teens for COVID-19 should be treated just like any other routine vaccination. In the same way that children are vaccinated for the measles, mumps and chicken pox, they should also be vaccinated for COVID-19.

• No, as with any vaccination, it is required that a child under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent.

• Consent by a parent or guardian is required for anyone under 18. Consent can be provided through MyOchsner, during ePreCheck, through a witnessed legal consent form, or in person at the vaccination location.
• Please note, if your child does not already have a MyOchsner account, you must fill out a request form which has a turnaround time of 1 to 3 days.
  • If the custodial parent has a MyChart account, they can request access online using the form under the Main Menu >> Sharing >> Request Access.
  • If the custodial parent does NOT have a MyChart account, they can click here to sign up and put in a request. They will receive a notification and an email with this information as well.

• Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children have plenty of availability across the system! We offer vaccinations at our hospitals, retail pharmacy locations, and community vaccine events across the state.

• Pfizer received FDA approval under Emergency Authorization Use (EUA) to expand vaccination to children ages 12-15 based on new trial data.
• Just like the three vaccines currently being administered under EUA, the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have assured the public that no safety or efficacy evaluation steps have been skipped in approving the vaccine.
• Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children remain committed to educating our patients about the COVID-19 vaccines so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their family.

• The FDA amended the EUA originally issued on December 11, 2020 to include adolescents 12 – 15 years of age on May 10, 2021.
• The Pfizer vaccine is now available for teenagers ages 12-15. You can schedule your vaccination appointment via MyOchsner or by calling 1-844-888-2772. You can also see which Ochsner regions across the state have vaccine availability.

• Pfizer completed its adolescent trial for children ages 12-17 earlier this year. Results from the trial for children ages 16-17 showed the vaccine is safe and effective and granted EUA approval on December 11, 2020.
• The results of Pfizer’s 12–15-year-old age group shows 100% efficacy, robust antibody responses and was well tolerated. Based on both sets of successful results, Pfizer again applied for EUA status which was granted on May 10, 2021.

• No, it is the same two-dose regimen currently being administered to those who are ages 16 and older. Data specific to the 12-15-year-old group shows 100% efficacy, robust antibody responses and was well tolerated.

• Yes, the dosage is the same for all adolescents and adults ages 12 and older.

Your child will need to receive two doses, scheduled 21 days apart, to be fully effective and provide the most protection.

A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is approved for people with medical conditions or people receiving treatments that are associated with moderate to severe immune compromise.

Criteria are as follows:

• Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (> 20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
• Other conditions which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions.

If you qualify as an immunocompromised individual, please schedule your third vaccine appointment today on MyOchsner where you will be able to see the locations most convenient to you.

• Those who do not have a MyOchsner account can sign up at my.ochsner.org or by calling 844-888-2772. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ups are welcome.

Learn More About Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Learn More About Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

State of Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccination Third Dose Medical Risk Factor Self-Attestation Form

• Trial data presented in the EUA demonstrated 100% efficacy, robust antibody responses and was well tolerated in children ages 12-15.

• Moderna completed its COVID-19 vaccine trial for children ages 12-15 in February 2021 and anticipates results for this trial some time this year.

• The vaccine was studied in adults first before expanding to include younger age groups.
• In October 2020, Pfizer received approval to enroll children as young as 12 into the trial. The results of Pfizer’s trial in the 12 to 15-year-old age group show the vaccine was 100% effective against COVID-19 and was well tolerated.
• And, Ochsner Health participated in the adolescent Pfizer vaccine trial, which means our patients contributed to the safety data submitted to FDA.

• As a destination for pediatric care, Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children are committed to playing a key role in identifying a safe and effective vaccine for the benefit of all – including adolescents.
• Ochsner Health participated in the adolescent Pfizer 12-17-year-old vaccine trial, which means our patients contributed to the safety data submitted to FDA.
• Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children will only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration has certified as safe and effective for all patients and employees, including our most vulnerable populations. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization for your child. Data specific to the 12-15-year-old group shows the vaccine was well tolerated and has 100% efficacy with robust antibody responses.

• Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. In both cases, the body’s immune system causes inflammation in response to an infection or some other trigger.
• CDC has confirmed 323 cases in persons under 29 years old, following 21 million second doses of vaccines. >95% have recovered or did not require hospitalization. (*to date, no confirmed deaths).
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to recommend that adolescents get vaccinated while health officials investigate cases.
• The serious risks of COVID-19 — even for young healthy people — outweigh the risks of any possible side effects from the vaccine.
• Given the risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe complications, CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older. Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.

• Following guidelines from the FDA EUA, no one is excluded from receiving the vaccine. The only medical contraindications to receiving this vaccine are severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine or severe allergic reaction to components of this vaccine.
• It is important to have this discussion with your pediatrician to determine if this is the best decision for your child.

• Yes. There is not enough information currently available to say how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. To stop this pandemic, we need to use every tool available which includes immunization, social distancing, handwashing and wearing masks.

• The CDC now recommends that other vaccines can be given with the COVID-19 vaccine.
• It is important that children who may have missed doses of routine vaccines during the pandemic complete or catch up with these routine immunizations.

• Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children have plenty of availability across the system! We offer vaccinations at our hospitals, retail pharmacy locations and community events across the state. Due to the temperature and other preparation requirements to properly dispense the COVID-19 vaccine, Ochsner Hospital for Children is not currently administering the COVID-19 vaccines at pediatrician offices. We continue to add more locations and events each week to make it as convenient as possible for your child to receive the vaccine.

• Gov. John Bel Edwards recently reinstated Louisiana’s statewide indoor mask mandate for those ages five and older which includes schools.
• Louisiana’s temporary indoor statewide mask mandate will stay in place until October 27, but may be extended if necessary and is applicable to both those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.

• Please see the FDA’s Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.

• Pfizer reports the side effects found in children during its trial were generally consistent with those found in adults immediately following vaccination.
• As is the case with any vaccine, allergic reactions may occur. Some may experience mild fever, soreness, muscle aches, headaches, chills, tiredness and redness or swelling at the site of administration. These are signs of an immune response to the vaccine and are expected in some patients.
• It is common for children to experience fever after any vaccination; this is an anticipated side effect.

• While extreme serious reactions to the vaccine are rare, you should seek medical care if:
  • Your child experiences a severe allergic reaction (call 911 or go to the nearest ER)
  • The side effects do not seem to be going away or are getting worse after a few days.

• We do not recommend pre-treating your child with pain or fever reducers because it may weaken your child’s immune response to vaccines.
• After the vaccine, you may give your child a pain or fever reducers if needed.

• While every individual is unique, there are no indications that reactions run in families.

• There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects child development, puberty or fertility.

• Yes. When you book your vaccine, you will be able to choose which vaccine you would prefer, and available appointments will show for that vaccine only.
• The type of vaccine available at each site is dependent upon supply.

• The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are two shots each – one shot followed by a booster either 19 - 23 or 26 - 30 days later depending on the vaccine. Each uses mRNA, or messenger RNA, which gives cells instructions to create a protein like the SAR-CoV2 protein. Once the protein is created, it triggers the immune response leading to the production of antibodies.
• The J&J vaccine uses one shot. It utilizes the adenoviruses which are the same viruses that can cause the common cold. These inactivated/non-infective adenoviruses can be used to deliver DNA, which are instructions for proteins. For the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers swap in a gene from SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) so that the modified cold virus makes the SARS-CoV2 protein, stimulating production of antibodies and additional immune responses to fight off the virus. The process creates an immune memory, which ultimately teaches the body to both recognize and attack the virus.

• It is normal to have flu-like symptoms after being given a vaccination. They are reported be generally mild to moderate, resolving within 1-2 days, with 1% to 2% reported as severe. View the list of potential side effects here.
• People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
• There is an extremely remote potential of developing a rare blood clot disorder -- less than one case per million doses given -- called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), within two weeks of vaccination.
• Cases of a rare neurologic condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) have also been reported in recipients of the J&J vaccine. The CDC’s vaccine advisory group continues to strongly recommend continued use of J&J’s vaccine, as the risk is extremely low, with eight cases reported per million doses of vaccine.

• CVST is a rare form of stroke, affecting 5 people in 1 million every year.

• Your likelihood of developing CVST is very low, but you should seek medical attention if you experience the severe symptoms listed above. Although significant side effects are rare, it’s recommended that you share you’ve recently been vaccinated with doctors if you are seeking treatment.