COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Patients

We know that everyone continues to face challenges with the Omicron variant and an increase in the number of people getting COVID-19. During this time, our employees are working hard to serve as many people as we can.

Our staff who have COVID-19 are not coming to work during the recommended quarantine time. This means that some MSK areas have fewer people working than usual. We apologize that wait times, in person and on the phone, are longer than normal.

Above all, your health and safety are our priority. We encourage our patients to protect themselves and those around them. Please get vaccinated, get boosted, and wear a mask.

How to Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination

Here are the latest guidelines for who can get additional doses of the vaccine.

If you are age 18 or older and are eligible for a booster shot, you can use our online tool to schedule it at MSK. If you need to schedule your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at MSK, you can schedule it using this online tool. If you have questions, please call your primary MSK provider’s office.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination for a child or adolescent ages 5 to 17, please contact the child’s primary MSK provider.

We have limited vaccination appointments available. You can find a location with vaccine availability through the CDC Vaccine Finder.

How to Schedule a COVID-19 Test

Guidelines are changing about what to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19. You may have many questions about what people with cancer and their caregivers should do. Read more about COVID-19 testing and how to manage COVID-19 at home.

You can get tested at MSK or at another location if you are a patient with COVID-19 symptoms. You must get tested at MSK if we told you to have testing because of our safety rules. For example, we may require you to get tested before surgery.

To get a COVID-19 test at MSK, you must call your doctor’s office to schedule. We do not offer walk-in testing at our clinics.

If you do not have symptoms or you do not have an upcoming procedure at MSK, you cannot get tested at MSK. You can find a local testing location using the following links:

Thank you, as always, for choosing MSK for your care.

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Update to Our Visitor Policy

For the safety of our patients and staff, we have updated our visitor policy, effective December 27. This includes important information about COVID-19 vaccination or testing for some visitors.
Read our full visitor policy

Information for MSK Patients about the COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Testing, At-Home Tests, and What to Know about Isolation and Quarantine

With the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States, many people are concerned about being exposed to the virus and are unsure about what to do if they become infected.

New Information: What We Know about Omicron and Other COVID-19 Variants

You may have heard about a new variant of COVID-19 called Omicron. There are many questions about Omicron, and scientists will have more answers in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 Booster Shots: Eligibility, Safety, and More You Should Know

The FDA and CDC recommend that everyone eligible receive a booster dose to provide greater protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

Update on Blood Clotting Risk From the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

Learn more about the safety of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety, Effectiveness, and Other Important Information

Learn from MSK infectious disease specialist Mini Kamboj what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines.

An Additional Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended for Cancer Patients With Weakened Immune Systems: Latest Information

As you may have heard, the CDC now recommends an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who are immunocompromised.

MSK Joins the Abyssinian Baptist Church to Answer COVID-19 Vaccine Questions

On November 3, a panel of MSK doctors joined The Abyssinian Baptist Church for an educational webinar about COVID-19 vaccination.

What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that children ages 5 through 11 be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

SKI Research Reveals New Insights into Immune Response to Viral Infections — Including COVID-19

Research from Sloan Kettering Institute immunologists suggests that the body may mount an immune response to respiratory viruses that lasts longer than previously thought. The discovery could impact the timing of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Unvaccinated Pregnant People with COVID-19 Are More Likely to Suffer Miscarriages

Deborah Goldfrank, Head of General Gynecology at MSK, explains what we know about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

When Should I Wear a Mask to Protect Against COVID-19? What Kind of Mask Is Best?

Learn why it’s so important to keep taking steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

What Do Caregivers Need to Know about Taking Care of Someone with Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Learn how caregivers can manage the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic while caring for loved ones with cancer.

How Does Multiple Myeloma Place Someone at Risk from COVID-19?

MSK medical oncologist and hematologist Sham Mailankody explains what multiple myeloma is, how it makes a person especially vulnerable to infection, and why COVID-19 vaccines provide crucial protection for people with the disease.

Why Cancer Patients Should Be Vaccinated against COVID-19

Learn what every person with cancer should know about the COVID-19 vaccines.

How MSK Patients Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

Read about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you are an MSK patient.

Vaccinating Your Adolescent against COVID-19

Learn about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers and children.

The ‘Excelsior’ COVID-19 Vaccine Pass: Your Questions Answered

Learn the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Excelsior Pass, including who is eligible and how to get one.

COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects: Why They Happen and How to Treat Them

Learn about potential side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines, and how you can treat them.

What to Know About Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections

You may have read in the news about breakthrough COVID-19 infections, which are a rare occurrence in people who have been fully vaccinated.

What to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines Linked to Heart Problems in Young People

You may have read about a troubling potential side effect from the COVID-19 vaccines. Cardiologist Michelle Johnson says these heart issues are very rare and treatable.

Fact Check: 7 Myths about COVID-19 Vaccines

Despite concerns that you may have, the COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials.