Four things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since we first heard about COVID-19. The good news is that hope is on the horizon!

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Four things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since we first heard about COVID-19. The good news is that hope is on the horizon!
Here are four things you need to know about the vaccine …

1. When will the vaccine be available?

According to CDC recommendations, vaccines are currently only available to frontline healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities. The next recommended populations include frontline essential workers (fire fighters, police officers, etc.) and people who are 75 years old and older.

The timeline for the next phases is unclear, and it is not definite as to when the vaccine will be available to the general public. However, there are efforts underway to establish priority populations and distribution channels.

2. How will the vaccine be distributed?

The federal government is currently responsible for the distribution plan, and the CDC is coordinating distribution to authorized providers. Per the CDC, the ultimate goal is to have the vaccine available at doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.

3. How much will the vaccine cost?

The federal government intends to provide the vaccine to the general public at no cost. However, providers may charge to administer the vaccine. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private health insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

4. Will we need to get vaccinated every year?

At this time, it is unclear whether the vaccine will need to be administered annually. The healthcare community continues to gather data to determine long-term plans to combat COVID-19.

As we continue to battle COVID-19, maintaining vigilance against the virus is as important as ever.

Please protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands.