• Not vaccinated against #COVID19? It is never too late. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness, regardless of whether they’ve received any original COVID-19 vaccines. Visit our updated COVID-19 FAQ page for the latest COVID-19 information newsroom.tricare.mil/About-Us/COVID-19-FAQs.
• According to @CDC, some symptoms of #COVID19 include:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Loss of Taste or Smell
  • Muscle or Body Aches
  • Diarrhea 
• Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter.
• To date, hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
• Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are now available for 2023-2024.
• Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can provide enhanced protection against the variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States
• Hospitalization rates are highest in older adults and infants <6 months of age.
• Most children <5 years hospitalized with COVID-19 illness have no underlying medical conditions.
• A higher proportion of hospitalized children and adolescents 5-17 years have underlying medical conditions.
• Most children and adults hospitalized for COVID-19 since January 2023 had not received an updated bivalent booster.
• Most hospitalized adults have multiple underlying medical conditions.
• This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations – COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
• In addition to safe, updated COVID-19 vaccines, at-home tests for the virus can identify infection so you can protect your family, coworkers, and the general public.

• The original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized for use as a 2-dose primary series.
• The original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be given as booster dose in limited situations to:
  • People ages 18 years and older who previously completed primary vaccination using any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine
  • Have not received any previous booster dose(s)
  • Are unable (i.e., mRNA vaccine contraindicated or vaccine not available) or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
• Authorizations or approvals for 2023 - 2024 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will be determined by FDA with CDC recommendations to follow.

• Pregnancy remains a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease.
• CDC data shows that COVID-19 vaccination improves outcomes for pregnant people and their infants.

• Hybrid immunity (from prior infection and vaccination) likely provides better protection than either infection or vaccination alone.
• Protection wanes over time after both infection and vaccination.

• Vaccination is the first tool in your toolbox for respiratory virus season!
• Practice good health habits, such as cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and taking care of your overall health.

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Stay home if you are feeling sick
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Ensure the air around you is well-ventilated
• Wear a well-fitting mask if you're at risk or if COVID-19 hospitalizations are high in your area

Depending on your test results, take proper action.

• If you have a positive test result:
  • The test detected the virus and you're likely to have a current infection.
  • Follow public health guidelines for isolation and treatment, and inform close contacts. (Centers for Disease Control Quarantine and Isolation Guidance).
• If you have a negative test result:
  • The test didn’t detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out infection.
  • Repeat the test within a few days, leaving at least 24 hours in between tests, to make sure you aren’t infected.
• If you have an indeterminate result or a test error:
  • The test didn't work properly.
  • If this happens, check the instructions for use in the package insert and contact the manufacturer for help.

You should report your positive at-home test results to your health care provider, who will record the test result in your electronic health record. Your health care team will help you with questions about potential and current COVID-19 symptoms, what self-care you can provide at home, and when to seek health care if symptoms worsen.

If you usually get care at a military hospital or clinic, you may report your positive results by:

• Contacting your health care team through secure messaging, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the TRICARE Online Patient Portal (TOLPP) or the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. This is the preferred reporting method for your positive test results. Your health care team will respond to you with any medical instructions within 24 hours.
• Contacting your health care team directly via a phone call during duty hours.
• Calling your military hospital or clinic appointment line and asking to speak with your team nurse. The appointment line will leave a phone consult with your team nurse, who will call you back within 24-72 hours.
• Scheduling a virtual appointment with your primary care manager using the TOLPP or MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. Many civilian providers offer virtual telehealth appointments, too.
• Contacting your military hospital or clinic hotline or information line. Telephone numbers are available on the facility’s homepage and social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

If you usually get care in the TRICARE civilian health care network, please contact your primary care provider or your TRICARE Regional Contractor (Humana, HealthNet or International SOS). Your provider may give you instructions over the phone or schedule you for a virtual health care visit, if available.