Come Home Covered - COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project

As you gather to celebrate the holidays it’s important to remember

COVID-19 IS STILL A THREAT. VACCINES REMAIN COVERED AND AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO YOU.

This holiday season, as many of us prepare to celebrate and connect with friends and family, it is important that we are doing all we can to stay healthy and protected. Despite the progress we’ve made, COVID-19 is still a threat.

Vaccines are still our best tool for preventing severe illness. The good news is: you’re covered—updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available and remain free of cost to you.

Before you gather for holiday celebrations this season, make sure you are up to date with your latest vaccine so that you can come home covered.

“It is extremely important for my family and myself to do our part in protecting ourselves from COVID-19. We all want to spend time with our friends and enjoy all of life’s beauty, but safety is key. I am doing my part in my community to encourage not only those closest to me, but those who I can directly and indirectly influence. I am an advocate for the updated COVID-19 vaccine that is available and absolutely free for everyone in the United States. My family and I have already taken full advantage and we hope you do the same!”

—Rashan Ali, Multimedia Personality and Healthy Living Advocate

“As a physician and father of two, I recommend to all my patients AND family members that they stay up to date with their shots and receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. We often see more respiratory infections during the winter months, so it’s critical we do all that we can to protect our loved ones, of all ages. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, available, and free of cost for everyone. Let’s keep our family, friends, and children safe this holiday season!”

—Ilan Shapiro, MD, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer at AltaMed

“Working as an online science communicator, epidemiologist, and professor, I see a lot of conflicting information online about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination. However, the answer is pretty simple: the updated COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to help protect against severe illness – point blank. By getting vaccinated, you are helping protect yourself and others from severe COVID-19 infection. If you haven’t gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 before gathering for the holidays, it’s not too late! Go get your COVID-19 vaccine, which is available free of cost to you and your loved ones.”

—Katrine Wallace, PhD, Epidemiologist and Science Communicator

QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES?

WHY SHOULD I STILL BE WORRIED ABOUT COVID-19?

COVID-19 is still a real threat. We have come a long way in our fight against COVID-19, in large part thanks to vaccines that help us prevent serious illness and death. But the virus has not gone away. Every day thousands of people are still diagnosed with COVID-19, which not only puts people at risk of severe outcomes but also interrupts important parts of our daily lives.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST COVID-19?

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your community against the worst outcomes of COVID-19, particularly for individuals in long-term care, caregivers, aging adults and those at higher risk for severe illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get an updated vaccine. This applies if you have received any original COVID-19 vaccines and if you have not. If you have questions about the latest COVID-19 vaccines or if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine, ask your health care provider.

IF I RECENTLY HAD A COVID-19 VACCINE, SHOULD I GET THE UPDATED VACCINE?

If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine within the last 2 months, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the updated vaccine.

CAN CHILDREN GET THE UPDATED VACCINE?

The CDC recommends that all children 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. When children should get vaccines can vary by the age of the child, so it is important you talk to your child’s health care provider to ensure your child is up to date.

WILL COVID-19 VACCINES STILL BE FREE TO ME?

Yes! Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available free of cost through private and public insurance, as well as for those without insurance. You may have heard about changes to how COVID-19 vaccines are covered. Even as these changes take place, COVID-19 vaccines are still fully covered and free of cost for almost everyone.