Our Members Asked:
How do the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines compare in terms of efficacy, safety and side effects? How, when and where do I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Answer:
Three very effective vaccines against COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) are available. Here is what you need to know about them.
KEY POINTS:
- Unless contraindicated, strongly consider getting one of the authorized vaccines — current data shows they can help protect you
To find out more about who can get the vaccine and who should not be vaccinated, read about whether pre-existing conditions should stop you from getting the vaccine. - The vaccine is free (for now)
The cost of the vaccine will be covered by Medicare and most insurance plans, some even if received outside your network. However, certain alternative healthcare plans (ex: short-term limited duration insurance) may charge a copay. People who are uninsured can be vaccinated for free, but only through April 4, 2022. Their healthcare providers will need to submit a reimbursement claim to the Provider Relief Fund. - Some members of the U.S. workforce will need to get vaccinated or show negative tests results at least weekly
Those required to be vaccinated will also be guaranteed paid time off to get their shots. - You can't get COVID or spread it from the vaccine
The mRNA vaccines don't contain virus. They instruct your body to make a protein found on the virus that triggers an immune reaction, creating immunity to the virus. The mRNA never enters the cell's nucleus, so it never interacts with or becomes part of your DNA. It also doesn't stick around inside the body — it's broken down once the protein is made. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a genetically-modified adenovirus (which cannot replicate in humans) to carry a piece of DNA into the nuclei of cells, where it is read and copied into mRNA, which then, like the mRNA vaccines, instructs the cell to make the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein. DNA from the genetically-modified adenovirus (Ad26.COV2.S) is not integrated into the genome of the person being vaccinated. - Get the 2nd shot if you get an mRNA vaccine!
While the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine requires only one shot, the mRNA vaccines require two shots. You may only get about 52% protection between the first and second mRNA shot but 94% to 95% after the second. Come back about 21 days later for Pfizer and 28 days later for Moderna second doses (while the second dose should be given as close to this recommended interval as possible, it's okay to get it up to 4 days early or up to 6 weeks after the first dose. Even if you miss the extended interval, you should still get your second shot, although you'll have less protection during that time). If you get a first shot, use v-safe to set a reminder on a smartphone for when to get second shot, as well as to reports side effects. - Don't assume you're protected from COVID-19 immediately after receiving a shot
High protection occurs about 2 weeks after a single dose of the J&J vaccine (although additional protection may occur at 4 weeks or later) or 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of mRNA vaccine. Don't assume you're protected during the 21 to 28 days between the first and second mRNA COVID-19 vaccine shots. - Be prepared for side effects, but don't worry if you don't experience any
Injection site pain (typical for any vaccine) and flu-like symptoms are the most common side effects for any of the vaccines. These side effects are typically short-lived, and some people don't experience any. Rarely, severe side effects occur. - Get a booster (and a second booster) when you're eligible
Due to waning protection, everyone 18 and older who received the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) should get a booster at least 5 months after completion of the primary series, and children and adolescents ages 5 to 17 should get a Pfizer booster at least 5 months after the primary series. Those who received the J&J vaccine should do the same at least 2 months after vaccination. Although any booster can be considered by adults, the CDC has stated a preference for Moderna or Pfizer boosters over J&J. People 50 and older, and those 12 and older who are immunocompromised, should get a second mRNA booster vaccine at least 4 months after their first booster.
Sign in now to learn more, including:
- How, when and where to get the vaccine and booster
- How the vaccines and boosters compare (on efficacy, side effects, dosing, ingredients and availability)
- Whether people with specific medical conditions may be vaccinated, including those with active infection or a history of COVID-19, exposure to COVID-19, shingles, cancer, heart conditions or pulmonary disease (including those taking statins, blood pressure drugs or blood thinners), genetic heart conditions, anemia, history of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus) or taking immunosuppressants (including corticosteroids such as prednisone), chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), splenectomy or functional asplenia, liver disease or transplant, kidney disease (including those on dialysis) or transplant, psoriasis, eczema, multiple sclerosis (MS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a compromised immune system (including use of immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids), Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, migraine, allergies or a history of allergic reactions, a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or Bell's palsy, dermal (skin) fillers (including those placed recently or years ago), osteoporosis, very frail elderly, before or after surgery, pregnancy, or breast-feeding
- If pain relievers / fever reducers can be used to lessen vaccine side effects, and which of these medicines worst best for specific side effects
- If antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) can be used to reduce the risk of allergic reactions
- Behavior changes that may improve vaccine immune response, including foods or supplements to potentially boost vaccine response (and those that should be avoided)
- If the vaccines protect against new variants, including Omicron
- Why people with a history of COVID should still get the vaccine and booster
- If vaccines make you test positive on a COVID-19 test
As each state in the U.S. is in charge of its own vaccine roll out, we've put together the following table to help you get information on what's happening in your state:
State Vaccination Website | Information Provided |
Alabama https://www.alcovidvaccine.gov/ |
Links to schedule vaccine or be notified when eligible; hotline for questions |
Alaska http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/VaccineAppointments.aspx |
Links to confirm eligibility, find a vaccine, browse appointments; hotline for questions |
Arizona https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-find-vaccine |
Current phases by county; link to schedule vaccine; hotline for questions |
Arkansas https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan |
Current phase; eligibility; estimated start dates of later phases; link to information about vaccine sites |
California https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ Quick Locator: https://www.vaccinateca.com/ (A community-led website) |
Who's currently eligible; link to schedule vaccine or be notified when eligible; hotline for questions |
Colorado https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/vaccine-for-coloradans |
Current phase; eligibility; estimated start dates of later phases; link to find a vaccine site; hotline for questions |
Connecticut https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations |
Who's currently eligible; estimated start dates of later phases; links to find and schedule a vaccine |
Delaware https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; link to find a vaccine site; information about upcoming phases |
District of Columbia https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine |
Link to register / schedule vaccine if eligible; link to be notified when eligible |
Florida https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/covid-19-vaccines-in-florida/ Quick Locator: https://www.findyourvaccine.org/FL (A volunteer-led website) |
Who's currently eligible; links to pre-register and find a vaccine site |
Georgia https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine |
Who's currently eligible; links to vaccine sites |
Hawaii https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; link to register; estimated start dates and eligibility of later phases |
Idaho https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/covid-19-vaccination |
Who's currently eligible; estimated start dates and eligibility of later phases; vaccine sites and links to schedule vaccine |
Illinois https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccination-plan |
Current phase; who's eligible in each phase |
Indiana https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/index.htm |
Who's currently eligible; links to find a vaccine site and register |
Iowa https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine/Information-for-the-Public |
Who's currently eligible; link with information to schedule vaccine |
Kansas https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/157/Availability |
Link with information about phases and eligibility for each phase |
Kentucky https://govstatus.egov.com/ky-covid-vaccine |
Link to find out when eligible and to find a vaccine sites; description of phases |
Louisiana https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; list of vaccine sites |
Maine https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines |
Who's currently eligible and who's eligible in upcoming phases; expected dates for phases; link to vaccine sites |
Maryland https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine |
Who's currently eligible; link to list of vaccine sites |
Massachusetts https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine Quick Locator: https://www.macovidvaccines.com/ (Run by a software developer) |
Links to confirm eligibility and find and schedule vaccine |
Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_103214---,00.html Quick Locator: https://www.vaccinemi.com/ (A community-led website) |
Link to find a vaccine site by county |
Minnesota https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/plan.html |
Who's currently eligible; link to find a vaccine site |
Mississippi https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420,976.html |
Who's currently eligible; link to find a vaccine site |
Missouri https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/residents/ |
Link to confirm eligibility and to find a vaccine site |
Montana https://dphhs.mt.gov/covid19vaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; links to local health departments |
Nebraska http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.aspx |
Who's covered in each phase; estimated start dates of each phase; link to register |
Nevada https://www.immunizenevada.org/covid-19-vaccine |
Link to confirm eligibility or be notified when eligible; hotline for information |
New Hampshire https://www.vaccines.nh.gov/ |
Current phase; link to confirm eligibility; link to register; hotline for information |
New Jersey https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine |
Help scheduling an appointment; hotline for information |
New Mexico https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-vaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; link to register; hotline for information |
New York https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ Quick Locators for NY City only: https://nycvaccinelist.com/ (A volunteer-led effort) https://www.turbovax.info/ (Run by a software developer) |
Link to confirm eligibility and schedule a vaccine |
North Carolina https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines |
Link to confirm eligibility; link to find a vaccine site; hotline for information |
North Dakota https://www.health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelocator |
Vaccine sites and eligibility by county |
Ohio https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ |
Link to check eligibility and make an appointment if eligible |
Oklahoma https://www.occhd.org/covid-19vaccine |
Who's currently eligible; who's eligible in upcoming phases; link to pre-register |
Oregon https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/ |
Link to confirm eligibility or be notified when eligible; link to schedule vaccine |
Pennsylvania https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx |
Who's currently eligible; who's eligible in upcoming phases; links to vaccine sites |
Rhode Island https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination |
Who's currently eligible; estimated start dates for upcoming phases; links to vaccine sites |
South Carolina https://scdhec.gov/covid19/covid-19-vaccine |
Who's currently eligible; who's eligible in upcoming phase; links to find a vaccine site |
South Dakota https://doh.sd.gov/Covid/Vaccine/Public.aspx |
Links to current phase; eligibility and estimated start date of later phases; vaccine locations by county |
Tennessee https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/county-vaccine-information/ |
Vaccine information by county; link to confirm eligibility; link to vaccine sites |
Texas https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine-hubs.aspx Quick Locator: https://www.covid19vaccinetx.com/ (Crowdsourced information) |
Who's currently eligible; link to vaccine sites by county |
Utah https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine/ |
Who's currently eligible; link to schedule vaccine with local health department |
Vermont https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine |
Who's currently eligible; links to schedule vaccine |
Virginia https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/ |
Link to eligibility by county; tool to confirm eligibility; hotline for information |
Washington https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/vaccine Quick Locator: https://www.covidwa.com/ (A volunteer-led website) |
Who's currently eligible; link to find a vaccine site; tool to confirm eligibility and be notified when eligible |
West Virginia https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx |
Who's currently eligible; link to pre-register |
Wisconsin https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm |
Who's currently eligible; vaccine sites for eligible groups |
Wyoming https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/county-covid-19-vaccine-information/ |
Who's currently eligible by county; links to pre-register |
If you live in Puerto Rico, you can get information about the vaccine roll-out from the Departamento de Salud - Programa de Vacunación.
If you live in Canada, you can get information about the vaccine roll-out by province and territory from Canada's Covid-19 vaccines website.
Sign in now for more details about the COVID-19 vaccines.
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