COVID-19

Updated October 11, 2023

Vanguard Medical Group is here to help you stay safe as COVID-19 evolves to become a seasonal illness similar to the flu.  Here are some steps you can take to stay safe with your loved one.

COVID-19 Vaccine is your best protection!  Most of the patients who are hospitalized are unvaccinated. Even though breakthrough infections are common, getting vaccinated makes a breakthrough infection less severe. The CDC has approved an updated formulation of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to target a more prevalent circulating variant (XBB.1.5) that descended from the original Omicron variant. COVID vaccines are available by appointment at most Vanguard offices. You now have the option to schedule your vaccine appointment in 3 ways:

• Through the patient portal
• Call your local office
• Contact the Patient Access Team at patientaccessteam@vanguardmedgroup.com or 973-559- 0081

You may also receive any vaccine during an office visit

COVID Testing: 

COVID home tests are widely available.  Although not quite as accurate as laboratory tests, these tests are fairly good, particularly if you have symptoms. If your home test is negative, you may need to do a daily test for several days in a row to be sure.  The U.S. government offers free home tests.  You can receive up to 4 tests per household again starting September 25, 2023.  Click here to order. 

COVID Testing at Vanguard:

COVID testing is available at all our offices.  Please call the office if you have COVID symptoms or have been exposed or need testing for travel or other reasons.  Depending on your symptoms, a telemedicine visit may be recommended first to determine which tests should be done.

People with COVID who are over 65 or are immunocompromised or have chronic health conditions should schedule a telemedicine visit first so we can determine if anti-viral medication would be recommended.  We also need to have a plan to follow up with you if your illness progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Am I eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

A: Everyone at least 6 monthsis eligible for at least 1 dose of an updated vaccine depending on their immune status. Please see the table below for more information.

Q: Which mRNA vaccine should I receive, Pfizer or Moderna?

A: You can receive any updated mRNA vaccine

Q: I recently had COVID infection.  How long should I wait to receive the updated vaccine?

A: After COVID infection, you generally have antibody protection for several months.  The CDC recommends delaying a primary series or vaccine by about 2-3 months from symptom onset or positive test.

Q: I was going to get the previous bivalent vaccine.  Should I do that and then get the new updated vaccine?

A: No, the previous bivalent vaccines are no longer being used and have been replaced by the new updated XBB COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: I recently received my very first dose of Pfizer or Moderna.  Should I get the new updated vaccine (2023-2024 formulation) for my second dose?

A: Yes, you should receive the updated formulation of the Covid-19 vaccine. In most cases you’re eligible at least 2 months from the last dose, unless you are immunocompromised and depending on your age.

Q: I am 25 years old and do not have insurance. Where can I receive a COVID-19 Vaccine?

A: The CDC has contracted with several pharmacies and providers to provide COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to adults (18+ years old) without insurance through the Bridge Access Program. To find a location, please visit www.vaccines.gov. Covid-19 vaccines remain free for kids without insurance through the Vaccine for Children program. Please contact your office if you’d like to have your child scheduled.

Q: Can I receive the updated COVID vaccine, flu vaccine, and new RSV vaccine at the same time?

A: Flu shots and COVID vaccines can be given at the same time although you can also receive them separately to reduce side effects.  Although you may receive all three vaccines at once, because the RSV vaccine is new, we recommend that you receive your RSV vaccine at a separate visit from other vaccines (at least 2 weeks).  If you want to simplify your visits, consider getting a COVID vaccine and Flu vaccine at the same time and then the RSV vaccine 2 weeks after.

Q: I am currently sick with a fever. Can I receive any vaccine at this time?

A: Receiving a vaccine while you have a fever may reduce how well your body mounts an immune response. We recommend you delay receiving any vaccines until you no longer have a fever.

Q: I have some COVID symptoms and I did a home test and it’s positive.  What do I need to do?

A: If you are younger than 65 yrs. old, in generally good health and not immunocompromised, and are not feeling out of breath, you can self-manage at home.  The home tests are very accurate when you have symptoms, and you probably don’t need an additional test. Up and down fevers are common in the first 3-5 days and can be managed with Tylenol.  Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids.  Honey or over the counter cough medicine may help reduce the cough.  You should isolate from others to prevent spreading the infection. If you have had no fever for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving, you can come out of isolation after 7 days but should continue to wear a mask for another 3 days. (Day 0 is the first day of your symptoms.)  Our recommendation is a little more conservative than the CDC.  The CDC allows for return to work after 5 days with additional recommendations on masking and follow up testing.  This guidance makes sense for essential workers during a worker shortage, but does have a little more risk for infection spread.

Q: How long do I need to isolate if I have COVID?  I’m hearing different recommendations and am confused about which I should follow.

A: People with COVID are most contagious from 2 days before their symptoms start through 3-4 days after their symptoms start.  By day 8 (Day 0 is the first day of your symptoms) most people with COVID are no longer contagious.  Those who are immunocompromised or had a severe case of COVID may have trouble getting rid of the virus and may be contagious for longer and should speak with their healthcare provider.

If you have COVID with symptoms, we recommend you isolate for 7 days (the first day of your symptoms is day 0.)  If you have not had a fever (temp of 100.4 or more) in the previous 48 hours and your symptoms are improving, you can end isolation after day 7 but should wear a mask around others for another 3 days (so a 10-day total).  If you are an essential worker, then the CDC guideline may make more sense for you.

 

COVID Vaccines and Boosters

Here are the current recommendations for COVID vaccines

If you are NOT Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised:

Patients 6 months through 4 years old
COVID-19 vaccination history prior to updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine*	Updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine	Number of updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine doses indicated	Time between doses
Unvaccinated	Moderna	2	Dose 1 and dose 2: 4-8 weeks apart
	Pfizer-BioNTech	3	Dose 1 and Dose 2: 3–8 weeks† Dose 2 and Dose 3: At least 8 weeks
1 dose any Moderna	Moderna	1	4–8 weeks after last dose†
2 or more doses any Moderna	Moderna	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose
1 dose any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	2	Dose 1: 3–8 weeks after last dose† Dose 1 and Dose 2: At least 8 weeks
2 doses any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose
3 or more doses any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose

 

Patients 5 years of age and older
COVID-19 vaccination history prior to updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine*	Updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine	Number of updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine doses indicated	Time between doses
Unvaccinated	Moderna or Pfizer	1 dose of any MRNA	At least 8 weeks after last dose
1 or more doses of any mRNA vaccine	Moderna or Pfizer	1 dose of any mRNA	At least 8 weeks after last dose
1 or more doses of Novavax or Janssen, including in combination with any mRNA vaccine	Moderna or Pfizer	1 dose of any mRNA	At least 8 weeks after last dose

 

If you ARE Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised:

Patients 6 months through 4 years old
COVID-19 vaccination history prior to updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine*	Updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine	Number of updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine doses indicated	Time between doses
Unvaccinated	Moderna	3	Dose 1 and Dose 2: 4 weeks Dose 2 and Dose 3: At least 4 weeks
	Pfizer-BioNTech	3	Dose 1 and Dose 2: 3 weeks Dose 2 and Dose 3: At least 8 weeks
1 dose any Moderna	Moderna	2	Dose 1: 4 weeks after last dose Dose 1 and Dose 2: At least 4 weeks
2 or more doses any Moderna	Moderna	1	At least 4 weeks after last dose
3 or more doses any Moderna	Moderna	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose
1 dose any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	2	Dose 1: 3 weeks after last dose Dose 1 and Dose 2: At least 8 weeks
2 doses any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose
3 or more doses any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose

 

Patients 5 years of age and older
COVID-19 vaccination history prior to updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine*	Updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine	Number of updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA vaccine doses indicated	Time between doses
Unvaccinated	Moderna	3	Dose 1 and Dose 2: 4 weeks Dose 2 and Dose 3: At least 4 weeks
	Pfizer-BioNTech	3	Dose 1 and Dose 2: 3 weeks Dose 2 and Dose 3: At least 4 weeks
1 dose any Moderna	Moderna	2	Dose 1: 4 weeks after last dose Dose 1 and Dose 2: At least 4 weeks
2 doses any Moderna	Moderna	1	At least 4 weeks after last dose
1 dose any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	2	Dose 1: 3 weeks after last dose Dose 1 and Dose 2: At least 4 weeks
2 doses any Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	1	At least 4 weeks after last dose
3 or more doses any mRNA vaccine	Moderna or Pfizer	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose
1 or more doses of Novavax or Janssen including in combination with any mRNA vaccine dose(s)	Moderna or Pfizer	1	At least 8 weeks after last dose

COVID vaccines are available at most Vanguard offices at selected days and times.  Please schedule on the patient portal, call your office for availability or contact the Patient Access Team at patientaccessteam@vanguardmedgroup.com or 973-559- 0081.

You can also find information from the New Jersey Department of Health website.

COVID-19 Testing

When should you get tested?

Ask yourself these questions to see if you should get tested for COVID-19. If you answer “yes”, contact the Patient Access Team at patientaccessteam@vanguardmedgroup.com or 973-559- 0081 to request a COVID-19 test appointment.

• Do you have any of these symptoms of COVID-19?
  Fever, cough, chills, unexplained muscle pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste/smell

COVID-19 PCR and Rapid Testing

• The PCR test is very sensitive and can detect the virus within your system even before you have any symptoms. This test is sent out to a laboratory for processing.  PCR results take 1-2 days on average.
• The Rapid test as its name indicates can provide results the same day. It is most accurate when you are having symptoms.  Home rapid tests are fairly accurate if you are having symptoms.  They are less accurate when you are asymptomatic or testing after an exposure.

Your primary care provider will determine which test is right for you based on your potential exposure, medical history, and symptoms. He or she may also recommend testing for flu, strep, or other illnesses when you get your COVID-19 test. Please call your local office to schedule your appointment today!

*COVID-19 tests are billed according to your individual insurance company’s policy. Medicare and major insurance plans are accepted.