All About Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccination
With the approval of multiple vaccinations to combat the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, there have been a lot of questions about their rollout and when things can start to return to normal. The Biden Administration vowed to distribute 100 million vaccination doses to Americans in its first 100 days in office, before doubling this goal to 200 million doses. It successfully reached both goals, and created a new goal of 70 percent of adults receiving at least one dose of the vaccination by the 4th of July.
As of June 3, 2021, roughly 168.7 million Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine (62.9 percent of adults), with around 41 percent of the population now fully vaccinated. Now that we’re getting closer to our goals, when can you receive the COVID shot yourself, if you haven’t already gotten one? More importantly, what does this mean for a return to normal?
What’s the Status of the COVID Vaccine Rollout in the U.S.?
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is… interesting. It’s in excellent but worrisome shape at the same time. How is that? Well, we’ve reached the point where three-quarters of seniors (one of the most at-risk populations) have received at least one dose of the vaccines (over 85 percent if you’re following the CDC’s COVID Tracker). As more Americans get vaccinated each day, new cases of COVID-19 and deaths plummet, leading to widespread optimism.
With the hope that we can reach the goal of 70 percent (placing the United States on the edge of herd immunity) comes the potential for vacations, cookouts, and largely relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. For example, in our base state of Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf announced that the mask mandate will be lifted when we reach 70 percent of adults fully vaccinated, though the situation has improved enough that Governor Wolf has set a secondary date of June 28 for the mandate to expire (whichever we reach first). This is coupled with the CDC’s announcement that vaccinated people can safely resume activities like we did before the pandemic, without needing to wear masks or socially distance. These are all reasons to celebrate and applaud the work done by the vaccinators and the people who have done their patriotic duty to protect their loved ones and fellow citizens by getting the vaccine.
That isn’t to say everything is perfect and that we’ll reach the 70 percent goal as easily as the 100 million shots and 200 million shots goals. The rate of vaccinations has been slowing down in recent weeks. While a lot of heavy lifting has been done already with a large percent of people getting vaccinated, there are growing concerns that we may not hit the 4th of July goal or even reach herd immunity at all.
Why is the Rollout Slowing Down?
There are a few explanations as to why the roll out has slowed down in the United States, but the biggest reason is that the people who really wanted a vaccine have gotten it. This group includes the at-risk and highly motivated who were first in line to receive their doses. Now, the group that is left are those that aren’t as excited. Think of it this way. When a new highly prized electronic is about to be released, like a phone or gaming console, there are groups of buyers — the ones who wait in line, the ones who buy it as soon as they can, the ones who will buy it when it’s convenient, and the ones who never want to buy it. Once those first two groups are done, there’s a lull, since the others either were willing to wait or aren’t interested in getting it at all.
When a new highly-prized electronic is about to be released, there are groups of buyers — the ones who wait in line, the ones who buy it as soon as they can, the ones who will buy it when it’s convenient, and the ones who never want to buy it.
The good news is that vaccine hesitancy is dropping almost across the board, but there’s still a large percentage of Americans who are hesitant, depending on the poll.
The other problem is access to vaccines is still limited. While many areas of the country have a surplus of vaccines, that availability isn’t spread across the board. This is especially problematic since many methods of scheduling a vaccination appointment are virtual, making it more difficult for people who don’t own a computer. With the push to expand this access, vaccinations will hopefully continue to grow in availability as the focus shifts from increasing the supply to finding the demand.
When and Where Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Generally speaking, if you’re an adult in the United States, you should be able to get a vaccine. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children as young as 12, with the Moderna vaccine not far behind. Companies are also researching the safety and effectiveness for even younger children.
Your doctor may also be able to help you find out when you’ll be eligible.
Knowing where you can receive one is the next step. The best place to look is on your state’s COVID website. Most will allow you to find where you can get the vaccine nearby. Many states and pharmacies have walk-in vaccination sites — where you don’t even need an appointment anymore. You can also check with your doctor, who should have details about places with vaccine availability and may even be able to give you the vaccine at their office.
It’s important to check with your state to see specifics and where vaccines are available. The table below offers links to additional resources. Your doctor may also be able to help you find out more.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information by State
Should I Get It When I Can?
If your doctor gives you the OK to get it, then why not? As the CDC reports, there are many benefits to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Ensuring that as many people are vaccinated as possible will help get this pandemic under control. Not only will this get life back to normal quicker, but it’ll help save thousands of lives in the United States.
There’s also significant evidence that having the vaccine can lower your risk of severe symptoms, even if you do actually develop COVID-19. Not only that, new evidence shows that the vaccines also greatly reduce transmission of COVID-19, lowering your risk of getting someone else sick.
All reputable sources have been impressively thorough in their belief that the vaccines are safe.
Please be aware that some of the viral posts spreading myths and fears about dangers of the vaccine contain just that, myths and fears. All reputable sources have been impressively thorough in their belief that the vaccines are safe. While you may feel some side effects in the days after getting the vaccine, they should pass quickly and are generally fairly mild, though mild is a subjective term and they may not feel that way in the moment.
The pauses on the use of certain vaccines, like the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines, have also raised fears of the vaccines’ side effects, but the pauses are actually a good thing. It shows that the protections in place are working overtime, being extra careful to spot potential concerns. That means, if there were truly something dangerous with the vaccines, it will be publicly dealt with.
Will I Have to Pay Anything?
Nope! Medicare will cover the COVID-19 vaccination, and so will most other insurances, so you shouldn’t owe a dime for getting the shot.
● ● ●
Herd vaccination is the safest way that we can get control of the pandemic that’s killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and more across the globe. The sooner we get it under control, the sooner those numbers will stop climbing so fast, and the sooner we can return to some semblance of regular life. For that reason, we owe it to each other and ourselves to get vaccinated, if we can, when it’s our turn.
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?