The COVID-19 vaccine is now available and is being rolled out across the country in phases based on determinations from state and local health departments.
The vaccine is safe and effective. In clinical trials, both of the currently available vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna prevented more than 90 percent of COVID-19 cases, and even those that did contract the virus only had mild symptoms.
Once it’s widely available, you should contact your health care provider to decide the best location to get your shot. However, even after you get vaccinated, you should still plan to wear a protective mask when in public and socially distance from others until public health officials recommend otherwise.
Vaccination is a critically necessary step in ensuring we, as a society, can help to reduce the spread of the virus, end the pandemic, and return to our usual way of life.