Coronavirus help center

Vaccine FAQ

1. How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?

   The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) which delivers a small genetic message that causes your own cells to make a protein that resembles the spike on the outer shell of the tiny COVID-19 virus. Your immune system then recognizes this protein as foreign, and produces specific antibodies and specialized immune cells (T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes) that quickly spring into action if the virus itself shows up in the future. The Novavax vaccine uses proteins from the COVID-19 virus to create an immune response. This is similar to how many widely used vaccines work, such as vaccines for human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, and shingles.

2. What are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine?

   COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19. We’ve also learned that this protection fades over time, especially for people who are older or who have health conditions that affect their immune system.

3. How will the vaccine be administered? What are the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines?

   The vaccines are administered the same way as the flu shot, injected into the muscle of the upper arm. Visit What to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines for recommendations for a booster based on age and the type of vaccine that was given in the initial round of vaccination.

4. What are the common side effects?

   Common side effects may include pain around the area of the injection, feeling tired, headache, muscle aches, and less commonly, fever. So far, severe side effects have been reported to be very rare with these current COVID-19 vaccines. As with all vaccines, there have been rare reports of serious allergic reactions to the vaccine. If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any ingredient in either of the COVID-19 vaccines, it is not considered safe to get that specific vaccine. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, please speak to your healthcare provider for guidance before being vaccinated.

   Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) is another possible side effect that is associated with the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna). Adolescent and young adult males have experienced higher rates of myocarditis compared to other groups, but overall, it's not common. Please check out the CDC site about myocarditis and talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

5. How much will the vaccine cost?

   The updated COVID vaccine will be billed to insurance. Most major insurance companies including Medicare will cover the cost of the vaccine just like the flu vaccine. Anyone who does not have insurance should visit vaccines.gov to find a location that is part of the bridge access program, which helps provide the vaccine at no cost to uninsured people.