By Chris Markle
As the world continues the fight against COVID-19 in 2021, there is hope: the COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is being distributed across the United States. While many people have already started receiving their vaccine doses, many people have questions about the vaccine. We break down four of the most important facts here.
Many vaccines involve years of research and hard work, so it’s a real testament to the scientific community that the COVID-19 vaccine was created so safely and quickly. The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of all new medicine, and currently, the organization authorizes three vaccines for emergency use to prevent COVID-19: the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.
The most important takeaway is that any authorized vaccine is very safe. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported, “vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect your health and prevent disease. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses so your body will be ready to fight COVID-19, if you are exposed.”1
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently available in all 50 states, and more vaccines are being shipped every day. However, supply remains limited, and not everyone can be vaccinated at once. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the following groups be prioritized before the general public:
If you are currently eligible, read more on what to expect before, during and after the vaccine here.
These rules may be slightly different depending on where you live — each state can set its own prioritization guidelines. Use our state resource tool to check if you are eligible today. If not, remember to stay patient — on March 26, 2021, the White House reported that 2.62 million vaccines are being administered each day.2 It will be your turn soon — while we do not know the exact timing, vaccines will become available to the general public as states move through their unique phases.
We believe in the health and safety of all our members, which is why you will not be charged for the vaccine or its administration. The vaccine may be covered either under your pharmacy benefit, your medical benefit, or both. It depends on where you get the vaccine. If you get the vaccine at your pharmacy, it typically will be covered under your pharmacy benefit. If you get the vaccine through your doctor’s office, it will be covered under your medical benefit. Sometimes, coverage can also be provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Remember to bring your insurance card wherever you get vaccinated.
It’s critical to practice safe habits to continue to ensure the safety of everyone. You can help protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by:
2020 was an incredibly challenging year, so let’s stay strong in 2021. When it’s your turn, sign up for the vaccine and do your part to keep your neighbors healthy and well. If you have any questions about the vaccine or COVID-19, you can learn more at our COVID-19 resource center.
Let’s all do our part
Chris Markle is a writer living in Boston, MA. Passionate about access to care and patient education, he aspires to challenge and change the way the world thinks about health through his writing.
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Los enlaces a los diversos sitios de Aetna Better Health y a los sitios externos se brindan únicamente para ofrecerle comodidad. En Aetna Better Health of California, no nos hacemos responsables del contenido, la exactitud ni las prácticas de privacidad de los sitios enlazados que no son de Aetna Better Health, ni de los productos o servicios descritos en dichos sitios.
Los enlaces a los diversos sitios de Aetna Better Health y a los sitios externos se brindan únicamente para ofrecerle comodidad. En Aetna Better Health of California, no nos hacemos responsables del contenido, la exactitud ni las prácticas de privacidad de los sitios enlazados que no son de Aetna Better Health, ni de los productos o servicios descritos en dichos sitios.
