COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Duke Health offers limited doses of the updated COVID-19 boosters as increased protection against the virus. They help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and are designed to broaden protection against the newer variants, including the current Omicron variant. 

The updated boosters were authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Limited doses of the updated boosters are available to eligible people two months after completion of the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccination (this includes the two-dose vaccine, three-dose vaccine for people who are immunocompromised or one-dose vaccine), or a booster.

• Per CDC and FDA guidelines, Duke offers limited doses of the Pfizer booster to people aged 12 and older two months after the second dose of any two-dose COVID-19 vaccination, one-dose COVID-19 vaccination, or any booster dose.

The boosters were developed using the same approach as the flu vaccine, which is updated every year.  If you have trouble scheduling your booster appointment, please check back as we are consistently receiving more doses and adding more appointments.

Duke offers COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to Duke patients, ages 5 and older. You can schedule a COVID-19 vaccination or booster:

• Through your Duke MyChart account.
• By contacting you or your child's primary care office directly. (Please note: vaccines are not available at all primary care clinics.)
• By calling the Duke Health COVID-19 Hotline at 919-385-0429 (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm)

Scheduling Appointments for Minors:

• A parent or guardian must accompany minors ages 15 and under to appointments for first and second doses.
• A parent or guardian must accompany minors ages 17 and under for booster shots and third doses (immunocompromised patients).

The Vaccine Has Undergone Extensive Study and Review
We are confident that it is safe and will decrease your child’s risk of getting sick from COVID-19, which can cause them to miss out on school, sports, and other activities and spread the virus to family and friends. If you have questions about the vaccine, we encourage you to talk to your primary care doctor.

For more information, please visit the CDC website.  

Duke Health offers a second Pfizer COVID-19 booster to people ages 50 and older in accordance with the CDC’s recent recommendation. Individuals are eligible for a second booster at least four months after receiving their first booster. The second booster will help to ensure you are adequately protected against COVID-19 now and in the coming months. 

The CDC also recommends a second booster for individuals ages 12 and older who have immune deficiencies. The second booster can be given at least four months after the first booster. 

• The CDC recommends that all adults (ages 18 and older) who received the J&J vaccine and a J&J booster at least four months ago should get a second booster with an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer.
• Duke Health offers the Pfizer booster to eligible individuals.
• Per CDC guidelines, your booster dose does not have to match your initial vaccine.

For more information, please visit the CDC website.

A 3-dose primary series of mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine is recommended for immunocompromised people ages 5 and up. The same mRNA vaccine should be used for all 3 doses.

A booster (fourth dose) is recommended for people ages 12 and up at least 3 months after the primary series. The booster should be an mRNA vaccine.

If the J&J vaccine was your initial dose, it is recommended that you receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine 28 days later, plus a booster 2 months after the 2nd dose for a total of 3 doses.

Duke Health does not offer the Moderna vaccine. Visit the NCDHHS website to find clinics that offer the Moderna vaccine.

Moderate and severe immunocompromised conditions and treatments include but are not limited to:

• Currently receiving cancer treatment for tumors or blood cancers.
• An organ transplant recipient taking immunosuppressant medicine.
• Received a stem cell transplant in the last two years or are taking immunosuppressant medicine.
• Currently taking high-dose steroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune system.
• A diagnosis of a moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency disease (such as DiGeorge syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection.

Please talk to your health care provider if you have any questions about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine 3-dose series and booster.

Visit the CDC website for more information.

Public Transportation
Free shared rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination sites are available to people with vaccination appointments. Please call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule your ride. 

Please note that you may be sharing rides with others and that masks and social distancing are required. When you call to schedule your ride, please have proof of appointment and the name and street address of the vaccination center ready. Let them know if you have special ride requirements.
 
GoTriangle:  919-485-7582
GoDurham:  919-560-1551
GoWake:      919-212-7005

If you have a Duke MyChart account, you can use it to pull up your vaccination record for proof of vaccination. To find your vaccination record, go to the menu on the top left, scroll to “My Record,” and click on COVID-19. There you will find your vaccination record and COVID-19 test results. Alternatively, you can visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services website or the health department in the state where you received your vaccine. It will walk you through the steps to view your COVID-19 vaccination status.