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Sharon Brangman, MD Chair, Department of Geriatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University |
If you feel like the news you read about COVID-19 vaccines seems to change daily, you’re not alone. We asked Sharon Brangman, MD, to share her expertise with us.
Q. What causes COVID-19?
A. The SARS-CoV2 virus causes COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can cause serious illness and even death. SARS-CoV2 is easy to get and has spread worldwide.
Q. Why should I get vaccinated?
A. Getting vaccinated lowers your risk of getting COVID-19. If you do become infected, being vaccinated means you are less likely to get very sick, be hospitalized, or die. Getting staying up to date on vaccines is the best way to protect yourself and others.
Q. Which vaccines are available?
A. As of September 2022, there are four available vaccines in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines. The FDA has provided an emergency use authorization for the Novavax and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines.
Q. How can I be sure that I am up to date on my COVID 19 vaccine?
A. There are two steps to getting vaccinated. First, get your primary (first) series of shots. Second, be sure that you are up to date with your vaccines by getting an updated booster shot.
Q. As an older adult, which vaccine should I get?
A. The CDC recommends that all adults receive Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax vaccines. Research has shown that these vaccines are safer than the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Q. Is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine safe?
A. Some people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed a rare, serious condition that causes blood clots with low platelets. Although the condition is rare, anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should look out for symptoms of blood clots with low platelets for 3 weeks after getting their shot. These include:
- Severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Leg swelling
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Q. How much will the vaccine cost?
A. The vaccine is available for free until at least the end of 2022. All shots are free, whether they are the initial shots or the booster shots. All FDA-authorized vaccines are covered under Medicare at no cost to you. People with Medicaid, private health insurance, or no health insurance also receive the vaccine for free.
Q. Where can I get vaccinated?
A. You can contact your own healthcare provider or search vaccines.gov for vaccination locations near you. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find COVID-19 vaccine locations. Help is available in Spanish and other languages.
If you or someone you care for has difficulty going to a vaccination site, in-home vaccinations may be available. Medicare recipients can call 1-800-MEDICARE/1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) for more information. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) hotline is also available at 1-888-677-1199.
Last Updated September 2022