COVID-19 Vaccine Guide: here are the answers to the vaccine distribution in Pennsylvania, cost, and side effects

Overview

All Pennsylvanians are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. shots

Getting Pennsylvanians vaccinated is an essential step in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, according to the Pa. Department of Health.

The Department is guiding the vaccine's distribution and administration in 66 out of the 67 counties in the state. Philadelphia County receives independent federal funding, vaccine allotment, and is establishing its own COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The state's vaccination plan follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and is continuously being updated.

How do I schedule my COVID-19 vaccine appointment?

Different locations have different protocols on how to schedule, so you'll have to follow those instructions.

For instance, a Rite Aid location will take you to an online portal.

How do I prepare to receive my COVID-19 vaccine?

Before you get vaccinated:

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has several recommendations for residents before they get vaccinated.

• Talk with your health care provider to see if vaccination is right for you.
• Check if COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for you right now and make an appointment to get vaccinated.
• Stay home as much as possible to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
• Wear a mask, social distance, avoid gatherings and crowds, and wash your hands often.
• Learn more about the different types of COVID-19 vaccines.
• Learn more about the benefits of getting COVID-19 vaccination.

At your vaccination appointment:

• When you get the vaccine, you and the person administering the vaccine will both need to wear masks that cover your nose and mouth.
• You will receive a vaccination card that tells you which COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it. You should also receive a card to remind you to return for a second dose.

After you receive a vaccination:

• With most COVID-19 vaccines, you'll need two shots in order for them to work. Get the second shot even if you have side effects after the first one, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.
• You can register for V-safe, a free, smartphone-base tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe also reminds you to get a second dose if you need one.
• You can learn more about common side effects and tips on how to reduce your pain and discomfort after vaccination.
• Remember to receive your second shot!

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is working to ensure all enrolled vaccine providers have information publicly available for those currently eligible to be vaccinated. 

The map below will be updated as more locations receive the vaccine. All vaccine providers on the map are marked with blue dots -- whether they've received doses or not. 

Click on a marker to see details on vaccination locations. 

Having trouble viewing the map? View the fullscreen version here.

Will I be charged for the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says that for the following coverage types, the vaccine will be free of charge:

• The major-medical health insurance market (individual market health insurance)
• Insurance through your employer (including through COBRA)
• Medicare and Medicare Advantage
• Medical Assistance through fee-for-service and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) 
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF)

Your insurance company or health care provider should be able to help you in finding a vaccination location. 

What if I do not have health insurance?

You should still be able to get a vaccine at no charge. Ahead of your visit to receive the vaccine, you should call your provider to make sure you will not be charged.

How many COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered so far?

The Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine dashboard allows Pennsylvanians to see the breakdown of where and to who COVID-19 vaccines were given.

Which COVID-19 vaccines are available?

Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people aged 16 years and older, according to the Pa. Department of Health.

The process of receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is to receive 2 shots given 21 days apart. 

Evidence from clinical trials pegs the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as 95% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people without evidence of previous infection.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 years and older.

The process of receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is to receive 2 shots given 28 days apart.

Evidence from clinical trials says that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is 94.1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who received two doses who had no evidence of being previously infected.

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is also available.

It's administration has been paused across the United States due to reports of six blood clotting issues after more than 6.8 million shots were given.

COVID-19 booster shots are available to all Pennsylvanians 12-years-old and older.

The Pa. Dept. of Health says that based on the CDC recommendation, anyone who is 18-years-old and older can schedule a COVID-19 booster dose five months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Those between 12-and-17-years-old who received Pfizer as their initial dose can schedule a Pfizer booster dose five months after receiving their second dose.

The Pa. Dept of Health notes that if you received a Pfizer or Moderna for your primary series of vaccines, both first & second doses must be the same brand.

Where can I get more information on the COVID-19 vaccine?

For more information or answers to your questions, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page.

You can also call the Pa. Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

Here are there numbers and instructions straight from local health system's websites:

Wellspan: Patients may call their WellSpan primary care provider to schedule an appointment. Patients without a WellSpan primary care provider or who do not have a MyWellSpan account, can schedule through the COVID-19 Hotline: (855) 851-3641. 

For help scheduling 2nd dose appointments, call (866)-638-1842 (select option 1 and then select option 2)

Geisinger: 570-284-3657, although when you call right now it says there are no appointments.

Can I volunteer to help with Pennsylvania's COVID-19 response?

Yes! If you'd like to help with Pennsylvania's COVID-19 response or another public health emergency, you can sign up here.

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