COVID-19

Updated September 16, 2026

Vanguard Medical Group is here to help you stay safe and protected against common respiratory viruses this year. Here are some steps you can take to stay safe with your loved one.

COVID-19 Vaccine is your best protection!  Studies are showing that people 50 years and older are more likely to get sick and be hospitalized with COVID-19 and most of the hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. Even though breakthrough infections may occur, getting vaccinated makes a COVID-19 infection less severe and can minimize the effects of Long COVID. The CDC has approved an updated formulation of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines this year to target more prevalent circulating variants (XFG variant, a JN.1-lineage recombinant omicron strain). We continue to believe everyone 6 months of age and older would benefit from receiving a COVID vaccine to reduce their own risk of getting COVID or a severe case of COVID and risk of their at-risk loved ones.  COVID vaccines will be available, for your protection, by appointment at most Vanguard offices. You now have the option to schedule your vaccine appointment in 3 ways:

• Via through the patient portal
• Call your local office
• Contact the Patient Access Team at patientaccessteam@vanguardmedgroup.comor 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.  You can purchase at-home COVID tests from your local pharmacy.

COVID Testing at Vanguard: COVID testing is available at all our offices.  Please call the office if you have COVID symptoms, 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: Who is eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

A:  At Vanguard Medical Group, based on reported evidence and guidance from several medical organizations and state government and department of health, we recommend a COVID vaccine for all individuals 6 months of age and older to reduce the risk of getting COVID and severely ill from COVID. We also recommend a COVID vaccine for all pregnant women.  The FDA has licensed COVID vaccines to be used for 2 groups of people: adults 65+ years of age and those 6 months – 64 years old with a medical condition.  Some examples include having asthma, smoking, physical inactivity obesity and more.

You can receive any updated age-appropriate mRNA vaccine that’s available. The FDA has stated the COVID vaccine remains available for anyone who chooses it in consultation with their healthcare provider. Last year an executive order was signed allowing anyone 6 months of age and older to receive a COVID vaccine, without restriction in NJ. This order also allows pharmacists to administer COVID-19 immunizations, without an individual prescription, to people aged 3 years and older. This recommendation is supported by several medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota.

Q: There is so much controversy around the need for COVID vaccines. Why is it important to get immunized?

A: While the number of deaths from COVID is significantly lower now than it was in 2020-2021, there is still a risk of getting sick from COVID. From October 2024–September 2025, COVID-19 associated hospitalization rates were high across the United States causing 390,000-550,000 hospitalizations and COVID was the cause of death in 68,000 cases. While these figures are lower than influenza cases, this risk of hospitalization from COVID is still prevalent and preventable with immunization. Last season, a study found that COVID-19 vaccines reduced ER and urgent care visits by 50% and hospitalizations by 55%. Therefore, the best way to reduce the risk of either catching COVID or getting severely ill from COVID is to receive a COVID vaccine.

Q: Are certain people more at risk of getting severely ill from COVID?

A: We recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a COVID vaccine to protect themselves and/or their loved ones from getting severely ill and/or hospitalized due to COVID-19. Some groups of people are more at risk than others from getting really sick from COVID. For example, between 2024-2025, 72% of all COVID associated hospitalizations happened in people aged 75 and older and most of those people did not receive a COVID vaccine in over 1.5 years. Older adults are 3x more likely to be hospitalized from COVID compared to all adults and they also tend to have more health conditions which further increases their risk. During the most recent season, 2025-2026, COVID-associated hospitalizations continued to be highest among older adults and infants.  The COVID-19 vaccine was 53% effective against hospitalization among adults age 65 and older. That’s why vaccinating the elderly is important and it’s also important for those around them to be immunized to further reduce their risk of getting sick.

The second group of people most likely to be hospitalized due to COVID are children less than 24 months old, especially those less than 6 months old. Because infants are still developing an immune system, they are more at risk for getting infections. Unfortunately, there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for babies less than 6 months old, which means their protection will need to come from others, particularly maternal vaccination during pregnancy, who are eligible to receive a vaccine. Children with and without a health condition can get really sick from COVID. Some health conditions that increase risk are asthma, heart conditions, blood disorder, diabetes, and neurologic disorders (like cerebral palsy, down syndrome, neural tube defects, and more).

People who are immunocompromised or who are caregivers or spend a lot of time with people who are immunocompromised should also be sure to get a COVID vaccine.

Q: Will insurance cover a COVID vaccine?

A: Yes, most insurances cover COVID-19 vaccines.

Q: I am pregnant – should I also receive a COVID vaccine?

A: Pregnant women should receive a COVID vaccine, and a flu vaccine this year because the risk of getting sick from any of those viruses can lead to complications such as preterm labor or pregnancy loss. It is well known that pregnant women are vulnerable to getting respiratory illnesses and vaccines can protect the mother and pass on immunity to infants as well. A pregnant woman who is between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant is also eligible to receive an RSV vaccine, if they’ve never received one before – more information can be found below.

Q: I am currently in my third trimester of pregnancy and would like to receive an RSV vaccine to protect my newborn child. What are my options?

A: There is currently only one RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) available that women can receive between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first six months of their life. The vaccine works by helping the body produce RSV antibodies that are passed to the unborn baby to reduce their risk of getting sick with RSV and potentially hospitalized. We recommend an RSV vaccine to anyone expecting to deliver their baby during RSV season. If you previously received an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, you should not receive another vaccine dose but should consider discussing another method of protecting your child from RSV (monoclonal antibody) with your pediatrician.

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

A: Flu, RSV, and COVID vaccines can be given at the same time although you can also receive them separately to reduce side effects, which are generally mild and last 1-2 days at most.  Discuss the best plan for you with your primary care provider.

Q: Should children receive a COVID vaccine this year?

A: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) took a strong stance on recommending that all children 6 months – 23 months receive a COVID vaccine because they are at high risk of getting severely sick and potentially hospitalized. In many cases, even healthy infants can get hospitalized and admitted to a critical care unit if they get sick with COVID. Based on collected and reviewed national data, the majority of hospitalized eligible children were not up to date on a COVID vaccine. AAP also recommends that children and adolescents (2-17 years old) with risk factors should receive a vaccine as well. If your child has no risk factors but you’d like them to be protected from COVID, with shared-decision making with their provider, an age-appropriate vaccine will be available for them.

Q: How many doses should my child receive?

A: It will depend on their age, previous COVID vaccine history, and if they are immunocompromised or not.

Patients 6 months – 23 months old who are not immunocompromised and never received a COVID vaccine before should receive 2 doses at least 4-8 weeks apart.

AAP recommends 1 single dose for children and adolescents aged 2 years through 18 years old with the following risk factors:

• Are high risk of severe COVID-19
• Are residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings
• Have never received a COVID vaccine
• Have household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19

Moderately to severely immunocompromised patients typically require 2 or more doses depending on their previous vaccination status and age. .

Q: I have a child who does not have insurance. Where can I receive a COVID-19 Vaccine?

A: 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: 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: 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: For non-healthcare workers without immunocompromise we recommend that you:

• Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home.
• If no symptoms after 5 days, you may end isolation as long as you wear a well fitting high quality mask around others for an additional 5 days.
• If you still have symptoms but your symptoms are improving after 5 days, you may end isolation as long as you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) AND you wear a well fitting high quality mask around others for an additional 5 days.
• If your symptoms are not improving after 5 days, continue to isolate until you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.
• You should wear a well-fitting high-quality mask around others until day 11 (through day 10) regardless of when you end isolation
• If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. Begin testing on day 5.  If two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.  (for example, negative test on day 5 and 7), may break isolation on day 8.

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.

Q: I am 76 years old and was told I am at risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Should I get an RSV vaccine this year?

A: The CDC currently recommends one RSV vaccine dose for everyone at least 75 years old and those 50-74 years and older with certain medical conditions that can increase the risk of severe RSV disease. If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time. The best time to get vaccinated is early fall before RSV season begins.

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.

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.