COVID-19 Vaccines

Michael Calderwood, MD, MPH, provides an overview of the current state of COVID-19 in our communities and the updated COVID-19 vaccines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season. The updated vaccine targets currently circulating variants of the COVID virus. As with previous versions, this updated vaccine provides protection against serious illness and hospitalization and lasts for about 6 months, which is similar to the flu vaccine.

The new vaccine also:

  • Reduces your risk of developing long COVID symptoms by about 35%
  • Shortens your time with active illness if you do have a breakthrough infection

COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect you and your loved ones from the virus. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, you may want to get the updated vaccine. Learn about the updated COVID-19 vaccines and who should get them on the CDC's website.

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, you may benefit from additional doses of the vaccine. Learn more about how you can stay up to date with your COVID vaccine.

Getting the vaccine

At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments to patients older than 12 years of age at the vaccine clinic on 5M. We are currently offering the Moderna vaccine only for people ages 12 and older.

  • Appointments are required. Schedule your appointment in your myDH account or by calling our hotline at 603-650-1818.
  • For children ages 6 months to 11 years, patients will be able to self-schedule in myDH in the near future. COVID vaccines are also available during regularly scheduled pediatric office visits.

At Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics in Southern New Hampshire

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord is offering the COVID vaccine to adults and children during regularly scheduled primary care office visits.
  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester is holding dedicated COVID vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months to 11 years and separate clinics for individuals 12 and older. Appointments are required and can be scheduled using your myDH account. COVID vaccines will also be offered during regularly scheduled pediatric office visits.
  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Nashua is offering the COVID vaccine to ages 12 and older during regularly scheduled primary care office visits.

Paying for the COVID-19 vaccine

Dartmouth Health will submit your COVID-19 vaccination charges to your insurance. Check with your insurance about your coverage. If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for any charges.

If you are need of a free vaccine most retail pharmacies participate in a program that offers the vaccine at no charge. Please visit www.vaccine.gov for vaccine locations near you.

Vaccine effectiveness

The CDC has performed many studies to measure how effective the COVID-19 vaccine is for protecting people from infection and severe illness. Learn more about how the CDC monitors vaccine effectiveness.

Vaccine safety

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19. Read about COVID-19 vaccine safety on the CDC’s website.

Special populations

The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

The CDC provides recommendations for special groups of people, including:

  • Children and teens with disabilities
  • People who are planning to get pregnant
  • People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for specific groups of people.

Cancer Center and immunocompromised patients

We strongly encourage patients with cancer or who have a weakened immune system to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus, get vaccinated, and urge those they come into contact with to get vaccinated too. Review vaccine information for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines

We encourage you to review the following websites for additional information about COVID-19 vaccines:

Federal and state websites

Vaccine fact sheets

Upload your vaccine card to myDH

You can upload your COVID-19 vaccination card easily to myDH. By uploading your vaccination card, you'll always have access to your vaccination status. Learn how to upload your COVID-19 vaccine card to myDH.