COVID-19

Ryan Health has taken added steps to protect our patients and staff as we return to full operations. Every precaution is being taken to keep you, our visitors, and staff safe through the adoption of comprehensive safety protocols and policies.

Masking Requirement

As a healthcare facility, and to ensure a safe environment for our patients, visitors, and staff, masks are still required when entering all Ryan Health locations, even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Omicron Variant

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases with the omicron variant, patients who have tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, should schedule a telehealth appointment and not come to one of our centers. By having a telehealth appointment, you reduce the possibility of transmitting COVID-19 to others. To schedule your appointment, call 212-749-1820.

Here is what to expect when you visit one of our centers:

• Pre-screening for COVID-19: All patients are screened for COVID-19 symptoms when they arrive onsite or schedule an appointment.

• Universal Screening: Welcome stations at the entrance of each center are checking patients, visitors, and staff for a fever, and screen for COVID-19 symptoms.

• Facemasks: Consistent with CDC recommendations, all patients, visitors, and staff entering the center must wear a facemask or face covering. A facemask is provided to anyone without one. If a patient chooses not to wear a mask, the individual may be refused to be seen.

• Hand Hygiene: Patients and visitors are asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering a center. Hand sanitizers also are available throughout the center. Staff is also expected to use a hand sanitizer or wash their hands upon reporting to work.

• Visitor Limitations: One adult is allowed to accompany a patient for a visit, if medically necessary. One parent can accompany a pediatric patient. No other visitors are allowed.

• Protective Screens: Plexiglas protective screens have been installed at registration and check-in to protect patients and staff.

• Cleaning and Disinfecting: At each center, more frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas have been scheduled, including tables, doorknobs, counter-tops, patient kiosk touch screens, and elevator buttons. All medical equipment is sanitized between every patient.

• Social Distancing: Seating in the waiting areas has been arranged to encourage social distancing of six feet between patients; please observe posted signs.

Keeping you and our staff safe and healthy is our top priority. We continuously follow the guidance of the US Centers for Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. As we have throughout this health crisis, we will adopt our protocols and policy as the situation requires.

If you would like to make an appointment, use the Ryan Health Online Appointment Scheduler or call 212-749-1820.

If you can, prepare a 30-day supply of prescriptions and essential medications. Use our MyCare Portal or call us at 212-749-1820 if you need refills. Have essential household supplies on hand. And have a support system in place for older family members.

The webpage is for informational purposes only. Any discussion herein of medical conditions or treatment is not intended as a substitute for advice from a physician or qualified healthcare professional.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older.

Initial COVID-19 Vaccine

Ryan Health is distributing the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for COVID-19 based on availability. We are encouraging everyone to take the vaccine when it is available for you. As per New York State Guidelines, New Yorkers 6 months and older are eligible to get the vaccine.

Vaccines For Children

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 6 months and older. The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.

The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized, and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and under from getting COVID-19, including the following benefits:

• Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
• Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
• Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
• Vaccination of children with prior infection is recommended to prevent severe disease and future infection.

We encourage our pediatric patients to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, their families, and the community.

For the 6-month to 5-year age group, all of the Ryan sites will be offering one or both of the COVID-19 vaccine types:

• Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months up to and including 5 years (2 doses, administered 4 to 8 weeks apart).
• Pfizer vaccine for children ages 6 months up to and including 4 years (3 doses, with the first two doses administered 3 to 8 weeks apart, followed by a third dose at least 8 weeks after the second dose).

For Children 5 years old and older:

• Children 5 years of age and older are eligible for the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines that have already been authorized and available for children 5 years and older.
• Children 5 years of age and older who are moderate to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at least 28 days after the final dose (second dose) of their initial, primary vaccine series.

Booster Shots

At least one vaccine booster shot is now recommended for everyone 5 and older. Children between the ages of 5 through 17 years, can only receive the Pfizer vaccine. Anyone who received the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago should get a booster.

A second booster shot is also recommended for:

• All people who are 50 and older.
• People who are 12 to 49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
• People who are 18 to 49 and received a primary and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

New Updated COVID-19 Boosters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new recommendations for individuals to receive a new updated COVID-19 booster. The newly updated booster, also known as a bivalent vaccine, protects against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.

The new recommendations state individuals ages 5 years and older receive an age-appropriate updated booster dose at least two months after completing primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine, or at least two months after receipt of a recent booster dose of any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The specific recommendations by age group are as follows:

• The bivalent Moderna booster dose is recommended for use in individuals ages 6 years and older.
• The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose is recommended for use in individuals ages 5 years and older.

To schedule your COVID-19 vaccination, use the Ryan Health Online Appointment Scheduler or call 212-749-1820.

Parents interested in having their children vaccinated at one of our school-based health centers can email us at school@ryanhealth.org to schedule an appointment.

Once your appointment is scheduled, New York State requires you to complete the following survey: https://vaccineform.health.ny.gov.