Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines

Last updated: April 20, 2023

Schedule your COVID vaccine or updated bivalent COVID booster

Bivalent Pfizer vaccine and boosters are available by appointment for established patients in our Primary Care and Pediatric centers. Schedule an appointment using MyChart. Children under age 18 must be Henry Ford Health patients and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive a vaccination at Henry Ford Health.

Original, monovalent vaccine no longer given

In accordance with the Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services directive, Henry Ford now only administers the bivalent vaccine. The bivalent vaccine is effective against the original coronavirus strain as well as the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants.

If you or your child is set to begin or complete your primary vaccine series – dose 1 or 2 – you will now receive the bivalent vaccine to complete your series, even if the first dose was the monovalent version. If your appointment to receive those doses is scheduled in the next few days, it may need to be rescheduled as we update our electronic ordering systems to reflect the change to bivalent only.

Why does Henry Ford Health offer only the Pfizer vaccine?

• While all the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, we limit our vaccination supply to the Pfizer vaccine.
• The Pfizer vaccine was first to be authorized.
• The COVID-19 vaccines have different storage and dosing requirements. Using the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine at our many Primary Care and Pediatric centers simplifies ordering, storing, transporting and delivering the vaccine to our patients.

COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Answers

We know you have a lot of questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Use the links below to navigate to the topic you're interested in learning more about.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Basics - Information about where you can receive the vaccine, how to schedule an appointment and general information on the vaccines.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness - Answers to your questions about the safety of the vaccines, what side effects you may experience and how effective the vaccine will be for you.
• Kids and the COVID-19 Vaccine – Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and how to schedule an appointment for your child at Henry Ford. 
• Booster Doses – Find out more about COVID-19 boosters and if you are eligible.
• Third Doses for Immunocompromised People – These FAQs will answer questions people with compromised immune systems may have about COVID-19 and third doses.
• Fertility, Pregnancy and the COVID-19 Vaccines – If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, find answers to your vaccine questions here.