There are two main types of COVID-19 vaccines being administered right now: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Both require two vaccines, spaced approximately 3-4 weeks apart to reach 94-95% effectiveness. Read the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) description of how vaccines work and a more detailed break down of the different types, or refer to the in-language fact sheets about both vaccines in the Resource bar to the right. CDC information available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. This publication was made possible by cooperative agreement CDC-RFA-IP21-2106 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC/HHS.

Every state has their own schedule for vaccinating, based on population and vaccine supply, so it’s hard to determine when everyone will be vaccinated. Find your state on the map above to visit your local public health website for more information and to determine which phase you belong to. First, keep in mind that many clinics and hospitals offering vaccines across the country are completely booked. You may need to keep calling your local county or city’s COVID-19 vaccine line, or keep checking the appropriate website for openings. At any given time, millions of people are eligible to receive the vaccine, so it might take some time to secure an appointment. But don’t give up! Find your state above to determine if they have a number to call, or a website to use to schedule an appointment. You can also call the NAPCA Helpline for assistance finding a vaccine clinic near you or identifying any appointment openings. English: 1-800-336-2722 普通话 Mandarin: 1-800-683-7427 Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese: 1-800-582-4336 廣東話 / Cantonese: 1-800- 582-4218 한국어 Korean: 1-800-582-4259

Read the CDC’s summary of the pre-, during, and post-vaccine process so you know what to expect. Information available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

Overall, both COVID-19 vaccines being administered are very safe. Both have undergone rigorous testing and both have been approved by the FDA. In addition, monitoring of vaccine recipients is continuous after the vaccine has been administered. Read more about continual vaccine safety and the approval process on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website. Information available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

Many people experience mild symptoms after they receive the vaccine. Pain or swelling in the arm is very common, as is a mild fever or chills, all of which should disappear within a day or two. The CDC has listed common side effects to both doses, and how to treat symptoms. Information available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

The COVID-19 vaccine is covered at no cost to most people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as private insurance plans. If you are uninsured, you should still be able to get a vaccine at no cost at all locations. However, make sure to ask about cost before you receive the vaccine so you don’t receive a surprise bill later.

The COVID-19 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. Other materials in 50+ languages are available here.