8 Things You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine

1. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is top priority.

   The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures all vaccines are as safe as possible. The CDC has developed a new tool, v-safe, as an additional layer of safety monitoring to increase our ability to rapidly detect any safety issues with COVID-19 vaccines. V-safe is a new smartphone-based, after vaccination health checker for people who receive COVID-19 vaccines.

2. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. Two doses are needed.

   You need two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that is currently available. A second shot three weeks after your first shot is needed to get the most protection from the vaccine.

3. Right now, CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccine be offered to healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.

   Because the current supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is limited, the CDC recommends that initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine be offered to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents.

4. There is currently a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, but supply will increase in the weeks and months to come.

   The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as large enough quantities are available. Once the vaccine is widely available, the plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers offering COVID-19 vaccines in doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.

5. Cost is not an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

   Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost.

6. After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection.

   The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu symptoms and may cause minor discomfort, but they should go away within a few days.

7. The first COVID-19 vaccine is being used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many other vaccines are still being developed and tested.

   If more COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved by the FDA, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will quickly hold public meetings to review all available data about each vaccine and make recommendations for their use in the United States. All ACIP-recommended vaccines will be included in the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program. CDC continues to work at all levels with partners, including healthcare associations, on a flexible COVID-19 vaccination program that can accommodate different vaccines and adapt to different scenarios.

8. COVID-19 vaccines are one of many important tools to help us stop this pandemic.

   As we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions it’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.

This information was provided by the CDC and is available online at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/8-things.html