COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are available to eligible Rhode Islanders as of Friday, September 24. This follows CDC’s recommendation to make booster doses of Pfizer vaccine available to certain people. For more information on eligibility, please see https://covid.ri.gov/boosterdoses. People who are eligible should get their booster doses at least six months after their second dose of Pfizer. We expect demand for Pfizer vaccine to be high through October given our very high vaccination rates. We encourage everyone to make an appointment to get vaccinated when possible. This will help Rhode Island be able to administer vaccines quickly and efficiently. You can find appointments at any of the options listed at C19VaccineRI.org. If you need help making an appointment, please call 844-930-1779 or 2-1-1.
Protect Your Household from COVID-19 The Delta variant of COVID-19 is much more aggressive than other variants because it spreads more easily and more quickly and may cause more serious illness. Most COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island are now the Delta variant, so it's more important now than ever that we do all we can to prevent its spread. COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact with someone who is infected. People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. The best ways to prevent illness and death are to get vaccinated and avoid being exposed to the virus. You're fully vaccinated if you’ve gotten all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) and more than 14 days have passed since the final dose. Follow this guidance to protect your household and lower the chances of catching and spreading COVID-19. Whether or not you’re vaccinated You're still required to wear a mask: If a business, private school, camp, healthcare setting, or other entity requires it In public K-12 schools On public transportation like planes, buses, and trains When providing or using paid ground transportation services In transportation hubs like airports and stations In enclosed or semi-enclosed transit stops and waiting areas If working in a healthcare setting where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated When required by other state and federal laws and regulations The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to wear a mask outdoors in crowded places or during activities where you’re near people who are not fully vaccinated. Learn more about current masking requirements in our Rhode Island Masking FAQ. If you travel outside the US and US territories, learn what’s required on our travel page. Watch for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate at home, call your healthcare provider, and get a COVID-19 test. Get treatment if you’re eligible. If you’ve tested positive, ask your doctor right away about MABS. If you have a medical condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, talk to your healthcare provider about your activities. Even if you’re fully vaccinated, you may need to keep protecting yourself from COVID-19 by following the unvaccinated guidance below. If you’re not fully vaccinated Get vaccinated. You may get vaccinated if you’re 12 or older. Setting up an appointment is quick and easy. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, highly effective against serious illness, and reduce the risk of infecting others. Vaccination helps protect against COVID-19 variants by reducing their spread. Get tested every week. Sign up for a free test at portal.ri.gov or by calling 401-222-8022. Wear a mask and watch your distance indoors near anyone you don’t live with. Continue to take it outside. Open windows and doors to increase air flow when you’re indoors near people you don’t live with. Stay home and apart from others if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you are in quarantine or isolation. Learn more at covid.ri.gov/whattodo. Remember the three Ws! Wear a mask indoors that’s at least two layers thick and fits snugly but comfortably over your nose, mouth, and chin without any gaps. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or carry and use hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol. Watch your distance by staying at least three feet apart indoors from people you don’t live with. If you’re fully vaccinated RIDOH supports the CDC recommendation to wear a mask indoors near anyone you don’t live with when community spread is substantial or high. If you don’t have symptoms but have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you don’t need to quarantine but you must: Get tested 3 to 5 days after exposure Wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until you get a negative test result Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure How will I feel after I get my COVID-19 vaccine? You may experience some symptoms after vaccination. This is normal and these symptoms should go away quickly. Wear the right mask Wear a mask that protects you and your household. Let's talk about transmission of respiratory infectious diseases Learn about contact tracing Contact tracing is an important part of slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. Learn how contact tracing works and what you need to do. Also review the latest quarantine and isolation guidance. Wondering if YOU should be tested for COVID-19?
