What is the COVID-19 vaccine?
There is now a vaccination available that will give you the best chance of protecting yourself and your loved ones from getting COVID-19 in the future. Some COVID-19 vaccines will have two doses a few weeks in between each shot.
You will get a COVID-19 Vaccination Reminder Card that will help you keep track of which vaccine you receive and when to get a second dose, if needed. If you receive a vaccine that requires two doses, it is important to get both doses.
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine is being administered to different populations in a tiered approach. When you are able to get the vaccine, call your doctor with any questions and ask when you can make an appointment with them or at your local pharmacy. Or, find out where to get your vaccine at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines or vaccinefinder.org.
Am I required to get my COVID-19 vaccine?
While it is not a requirement, getting your COVID-19 vaccine will give you the best chance of protecting yourself and your loved ones from getting COVID-19 in the future.
I already had COVID-19. Should I still get the vaccine?
Even if you have already had COVID-19, you should still get the vaccine. It may be possible to be infected more than once so getting the vaccine is a safe choice.
Can my child get the vaccine?
Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is recommended for people ages 5 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are recommended for those ages 18 and older.
When I get the vaccine, can I stop wearing a mask or social distancing?
The CDC announced on March 8 that fully vaccinated Americans can discontinue masking and social distancing with other fully vaccinated people indoors in small groups. Or, visiting with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors.
Fully vaccinated is considered two weeks past final dose, meaning the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccine, or, two weeks past the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
If you are fully vaccinated and have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, the CDC says that you may refrain from quarantine and testing if you are asymptomatic. It is recommended to continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
Is the vaccine safe?
The safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is a top priority! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully reviews all safety data from clinical trials and authorizes emergency vaccine use only when the expected benefits outweigh potential risks. COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large clinical trials to make sure they meet safety standards.
Will there be any side effects when I get the vaccine?
You may run a fever after you get the vaccine. This is normal as your body builds immunity and fights off future COVID-19 exposures. You may feel sick after getting vaccinated. You could develop:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Body aches
This is your body reacting to the vaccine. It is a normal response. It is important to know that it is impossible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccines currently in use and others being developed do not contain a live virus.
Do I have to pay for my vaccine? Or get prior authorization?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine will be at no cost to you. You do not need to get a prior authorization for your vaccine.
I lost my COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. What should I do now?
Please call the administering facility/provider you received your first dose from to ask about your vaccine information and verify your second appointment/location.
I am due for my second dose. I got my first dose from another provider who is not my PCP, what do I do now?
The provider should have scheduled a second appointment with you at the same facility when you received the first dose. However, you can receive your second dose from another provider/facility and you should present your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
I’m pregnant. Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to the CDC, people who are pregnant and part of a group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may choose to be vaccinated. If you have questions about getting the vaccine, it is recommended to discuss with your doctor to make an informed decision.
Am I eligible for a booster?
The CDC recommends a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in the following populations:
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:
- You should get a booster if you are:
- You may get a booster if you are:
- When to get a booster:
- At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series
For individuals who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine:
You should get a booster if you are:When to get a booster: - At least 2 months after your shot.
Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
When I get the vaccine, can I stop wearing a mask or social distancing?
Fully vaccinated is considered two weeks past final dose, meaning the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccine, or, two weeks past the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial of high transmission.
Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.
Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
What do we know about breakthrough cases for those fully vaccinated?
A small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus that causes it. These are called “vaccine breakthrough cases.” This means that while people who have been vaccinated are much less likely to get sick, it will still happen in some cases. It’s also possible that some fully vaccinated people might have infections, but not have symptoms (asymptomatic infections). Experts continue to study how common these cases are.
If you get COVID-19 after vaccination, your symptoms might be less severe
Fully vaccinated people are much less likely to be hospitalized or die than people with similar risk factors who are not vaccinated.