COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness and death from the COVID-19 virus. All individuals 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
On Sept. 12, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
Everyone aged 5 and older is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines if you have been vaccinated with the Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Those aged 6 months old through 4 years old may need 2 or 3 doses of the Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine to be considered up to date.
All Health Department locations within the Lord Fairfax Health District have the Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Please call your local health department to make an appointment. Prior to receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, you should call your insurance provider to verify if your specific insurance plan has requirement of where you can receive your vaccine.
You can also search for local vaccine appointments on vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
Uninsured children and adults have the ability to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through either Vaccines for Children or the CDC Bridge Access Program.
- Learn more about the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program which provides recommended vaccines to uninsured children.
- Learn more about the CDC Bridge Access Program which provided uninsured adults with free COVID-19 vaccines though December 2024.
Guidance
If you think that you may be sick with COVID-19:
People with COVID-19 might not have any symptoms. If they do, their symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms may be:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms which may indicate severe illness caused by COVID-19.
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
If you feel sick, begin isolating from others and get tested for COVID-19. There are many ways to access COVID-19 testing in Virginia. All of the Lord Fairfax Health Departments have at home COVID-19 tests for free. At-home rapid antigen tests are also available through VDH, through Medicare and private insurance companies, and for purchase from retail pharmacies.
If your results are positive, follow recommendations on this page and read VDH’s Isolation Guidance.