COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Symptoms of COVID-19 may range from mild to severe and usually appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus.
If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, talk to your healthcare provider about testing and/or treatment right away.
COVID-19 spreads when a person infected with the virus breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on others' eyes, nose, or mouth.
You can spread COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms. If you are sick, stay home away from others, get tested, and avoid contact with others until you are better.
Who SHOULD get the vaccine:
Who should NOT get the vaccine:
There are many places to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have insurance, talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Most health insurances cover the cost of all recommended vaccines for children and adults.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are programs available to help cover the cost of vaccines. Children who are 18 years of age or younger are eligible to receive vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program if they are:
Click to see if your child is eligible to receive VFC vaccines: English | Spanish
Uninsured or underinsured adults can access free COVID-19 vaccines at clinics and health centers participating in the California Bridge Access Program.
You can also dial 2-1-1 for a list of free or low cost vaccine clinics. This includes Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider locations that serve Medi-Cal eligible children and uninsured or underinsured adults. Learn more about specific vaccine information for different age groups:
Are you not sure if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or you can’t find your vaccine records?
If you need official copies of your vaccine records, or if you need to update your personal records:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources (CDC):
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Resources:
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 can vary from asymptomatic infection to critical illness. Symptoms and severity can change during illness. Infected people can transmit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, before symptom onset.
Close follow-up and treatment should be considered older adults, people with disabilities, people with immunocompromising conditions, and people with certain medical conditions.
Click here for clinical considerations for care of children and adults with confirmed COVID-19.
For COVID-19 testing information, click here.
COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza. See Clinical Considerations COVID-19 Vaccinations for more information about vaccine schedules:
Age | Vaccine | If unvaccinated: | If had any prior doses, give 2024-25 doses: |
---|---|---|---|
6 months-4 years | Pfizer Infant/Toddler |
3 doses | If 1 prior dose, then 2 doses If ≥2 prior doses, then 1 dose |
Moderna Pediatric |
2 doses | If 1 prior dose, then 1 dose If ≥2 prior doses, then 1 dose |
Age | Vaccine | If unvaccinated: | If had any prior doses, give 2024-25 doses: |
---|---|---|---|
5-11 years | Pfizer Pediatric |
1 dose | If 1 or more prior doses (of any of the brands), then: 2024-25 formulation: Moderna/Pfizer |
Moderna Pediatric |
1 dose |
Age | Vaccine | If unvaccinated: | If had any prior doses, give 2024-25 doses: |
---|---|---|---|
12+ years | Pfizer Adult |
1 dose | If 1 or more prior doses (of any of the brands), then: 2024-25 formulation: Moderna/Pfizer/Novavax |
Moderna Adult |
1 dose | ||
Novavax | 2 doses |
COVID-19 (2024-2025) Vaccine Fact Sheets:
2023-2024 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines are no longer authorized
As part of FDA’s actions, the 2023–2024 Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States. To minimize the risk of vaccine administration errors, providers should:
Vaccine Clinical Provider Line –Clinical questions about COVID-19 vaccines including but not limited to contraindications, precautions, side effects, post vaccination assessment
Proper vaccine storage and handling practices play an important role. For general recommendations and guidance access the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit.
Click here for more information on reporting COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Illness (instructions for multiple sectors).
For reporting COVID-19 and other acute respiratory illnesses in the workplace (LA County), click here.
The COVID-19 vaccine distribution has transitioned from a federal procurement and distribution model to a public/private model. This means that all vaccines must be obtained through traditional procurement channels.
For Providers on the commercial market, the vaccine can be ordered directly through the manufacturer or through a distributor:
For regular updates, please sign up for one of the following sessions:
LA County Department of Public Health: