According the CDC, the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines will help protect you from getting COVID-19. In fact, each vaccine reported strong protection for each vaccine from the disease:  

• Pfizer-BioNTech: According to the FDA, the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine was ~95% effective at preventing COVID-19 in people ages 16 and older, based on the Pfizer-BioNTech Phase 3 trial
• Moderna: According to the FDA, the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine was ~94% effective at preventing COVID-19 in people ages 18 and older, based on the Moderna Phase 3 trial

Follow vaccination instructions from the manufacturer. Effectiveness is based on how well the vaccine prevents COVID-19.

Important reminders on the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide:

• Vaccines can take several weeks after the second dose to provide protection
• COVID-19 vaccines will help protect you from getting COVID-19. But you should follow CDC and state health guidelines to stop the spread of the disease
• The duration of protection against COVID-19 is not known at this time

Because of these reasons, keep following public health safety guidelines to help protect yourself and others. Wear a face mask, practice physical distancing and wash hands regularly.

The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure all vaccines go through an extensive process to confirm levels of safety. This includes the recently FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Even after Emergency Use Authorization, the FDA continues to review clinical data about the vaccines. The CDC website has more COVID-19 vaccine safety information. 

As with other vaccines and according to the CDC, people report some side effects with the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines. The side effects may feel like the flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. But they should go away in a few days.

In the event of an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. 

If you have side effects that bother you or do not go away, you should report them to your vaccination provider or primary care provider. You should also let the CDC know by calling 1-800-822-7967 or using the CDC’s v-safe mobile app. This will help you watch for side effects and get second-dose reminders. 

The current FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for people with certain conditions or of different ages. If you have questions about getting COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your health care provider.  

According to the CDC, if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or an injected medicine, you should ask your doctor if you should get the COVID-19 vaccine. A severe reaction is one that requires treatment at a hospital or with medications like an EpiPen (epinephrine). 

The CDC recommends that people who have seasonal allergies or allergies to food, pets or oral medications, can still be vaccinated. If you have any questions, you should check with your health care provider.

For more information, you can read the FDA’s Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet and the FDA’s Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet.

Since supplies are limited at this time, vaccination will happen in phases, with those at higher risk getting vaccines first. FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine distribution is being coordinated by the CDC and state health departments.

The first groups of people who should be offered the vaccine next are below, as recommended by the CDC:

• Phase 1a: Health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities
• Phase 1b: Essential workers (e.g., police officers, firefighters, teachers, etc.) and people age 75 and older get vaccinated next
• Phase 1c: People who are ages 65 to 74, people who are ages 16 to 64 with high-risk, underlying medical conditions and other essential workers (e.g., transportation, food service, public safety, etc.)

Visit your state health department for more information about the COVID-19 vaccination plans in your area.

Since supplies are limited at this time, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities will be the first to be vaccinated. As more supply becomes available, the current CDC guidance is that some essential workers (such as emergency workers, utility workers, teachers, etc.) get the vaccine next, followed by adults with high-risk medical conditions and people age 65 and older.

COVID-19 vaccines may be more available in the spring to mid-year time frame as other vaccines are FDA-authorized, produced and distributed. As these vaccines become more widely available, we are committed to helping you get the COVID-19 vaccine easily and conveniently.

Visit your state health department for more information about COVID-19 vaccine availability in your area.

You can check with your state health department on which groups are currently prioritized. You can also speak with your primary care provider or other health care professional about vaccine recommendations given your specific health conditions.

As vaccines become more widely available, we are committed to helping you get the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine easily and conveniently. This page and your online UnitedHealthcare account will have the latest information. 

Initially, FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines will be available at certain locations. Your state health department is a resource for learning about local availability.

As vaccines become more widely available, you will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccination at participating retail pharmacies, as well as doctors’ offices, hospitals and federally qualified health centers. 

Like the flu vaccine, vaccination providers will administer the COVID-19 vaccine based on availability. Vaccination providers may not have all FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines at their location. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider. 

Here’s what we understand today:

• For people with Medicare plans, you will need to show your Medicare number, which is on your red, white and blue Medicare card
• For people with other health plans, you will need to show your insurance card

Coming out of your vaccination appointment, you will get a vaccination card. We encourage you to carry your vaccination card with you. Taking a picture of the vaccination card with your phone is a great way to keep it with you. Also be sure to schedule the second dose when you get the first. 

More information on preparing for your vaccination appointment can be found on the CDC website. 

You will need to get both doses in the required time frame to have protection from COVID-19. We encourage you to schedule appointments for both doses at the same time. Your vaccination provider should let you know when to get the second dose. The CDC is also offering the v-safe mobile app to help with second dose reminders.

Follow the vaccination instructions from the manufacturer. This includes making sure both doses are from the same manufacturer. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will require 2 doses, given 3 weeks apart. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will require 2 doses, given 1 month apart. We strongly encourage you to schedule both doses at the same time to meet these time frames and get protection from COVID-19. The vaccination provider should help you schedule the second dose when you get your first dose.