Get People Vaccinated

If a patient is asking you questions about the vaccine, it’s likely because they value your input and want reliable vaccine information. Many people are hesitant to get the vaccine. There is a lot of misinformation, misguided trust and personal reasons that go into making this decision. Help patients overcome common barriers and misconceptions.

Overcoming Vaccine Barriers

Here’s a list of resources you can use to inform your patients about what is available to them.

The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. To make an appointment visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

In order to help those without internet access, many states and local municipalities have their own vaccine number individuals can call for information about the COVID-19 vaccine and to schedule an appointment. Or they can call the CDC at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY: 888-720-7489) for assistance in English, Spanish, and many other languages.

A number of cities around the country have created programs to transport people to vaccination appointments. Programs exist like United Way's Ride United Vaccine Access Campaign as well as transit systems with either free transit or vaccine facilities in transit stations. Check the VaxTransite campaign for more info.

Many Americans do not have the ability to take time off work to get vaccinated. The federal government has created a tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses to fully offset the cost of paid leave for employees to get vaccinated and recover from any after-effects of vaccination. And a number of organizations are offering free childcare to help people get vaccinated.

Download our PDF flyer Overcoming Vaccine Barriers which contains the above and more detailed information on this topic.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Addressing Misconceptions

Here is a list of common vaccine questions and answers you can use when confronted with hesitancy.

Q: Has the vaccine been tested?

A: The COVID-19 vaccine was tested in clinical trials with more than 100,000 participants. Research for the vaccine began developing in the early 2000s.

Q: Will the vaccine make me seriously ill?

A: Adults and children may have some mild side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine including in your arm where you got the shot and possible tiredness, headache, chills or fever. Side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection.

Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?

A: The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children ages 5 years and older. Scientists conducted clinical trials with thousands of children before recommending the COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: Do I need a COVID-19 booster shot?

A: Yes, COVID-19 booster shots are important. Vaccines prevent severe disease, but effectiveness wanes over time. A booster shot should be a part of your vaccine schedule to increase your protection.

Q: I’m pregnant. Will the COVID-19 vaccine harm my baby?

A: No. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy builds antibodies that might protect the baby.

Q: Why should I get the vaccine if I can still catch COVID-19?

A: Vaccination may make symptoms less severe. The COVID-19 vaccines show protection against severe illness and hospitalization. The greatest risk for transmission remains among unvaccinated people.

Q: Do I need insurance to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: No. You can receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster vaccines without insurance. You can also get tested for COVID-19 without insurance.

Q: Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time?

A: Yes, public health officials have deemed it safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time.

Q: Can the vaccine cause infertility?

A: There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.

Q: Will the vaccine alter my DNA?

A: No, while the vaccine does deliver genetic material to tell our cells what to do to defend against the virus, that material never enters the part of our cells where our DNA is kept.

Q: How was the vaccine developed so far?

A: Researchers began developing the science behind the COIVD-19 vaccine in the early 2000s.

Find a Vaccine

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Near You

Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.

Find Vaccines Near Me

USA map