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COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

in Plain Language

What is COVID-19?

It is a short way of saying Coronavirus 

Disease 2019. It’s nickname is Coronavirus. It 

is a terrible virus making people sick all around 

the world. Getting this virus is bad for you.

What is a vaccine?

A vaccine is medicine. It usually comes 

in a shot. It protects you from getting 

sick. Each vaccine protects you from 

one illness. For example, the flu vaccine 

protects you from getting the flu. It does 

not protect you from getting a cold.

The government works hard to make 

sure vaccines are safe. You have 

probably had many vaccines in your 

life. Most of them are given when 

someone is a baby. 

Getting a vaccine is good for you.

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Important!
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What To Know About The COVID-19 Vaccine?

Many COVID-19 vaccines are being 

made. Most require you to get 2 shots. You 

get the second shot 3 to 4 weeks after you 

got the first one. The second shot is like a 

booster shot. It is important for you to 

get both shots for the vaccine to work.

The vaccine is free.

It takes time to make enough vaccine for everybody. 

Your state decides when you can get the vaccine. 

Doctors and nurses will get 

the vaccine first. 

Then elders and people with certain 

health problems like diabetes or heart 

disease will get the vaccine. Ask your 

doctor if you have questions about when 

it will be your turn to get the vaccine.

You get the vaccine at the places where you get a flu shot.

#1 Shot 

#2 Shot 3-4 weeks later

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Talk to your doctor about what will happen when you get the 

COVID-19 vaccine. There are some side effects.

For example:

• Your arm will be sore where you get the 

shot (just like when you get a flu shot).

• You might feel tired or have a fever 

after you get the shot.

Always get your second shot even if you had side effects. 

You need both shots for the vaccine to work.

Will I need to wear a mask after I get a vaccine shot?

YES! You must wear a mask and follow 

social distancing rules after you get the 

vaccine. It takes time for the vaccine to 

build up in your body. It might take 2 

months until the vaccine protects you 

from getting sick. 

We all must keep wearing masks. Doctors will tell us when it 

is safe to be in public without a mask.

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Other details:

• For now, the vaccine is not for children.

• Some younger and healthy adults might 

have to wait until spring to get the 

vaccine. The goal is for everybody to 

get a vaccine by June.

• The people who are more likely 

to get COVID-19 include: people 

of color, elders, and people with 

certain health problems like 

diabetes or heart disease.

Your state has a plan to make sure these groups of 

people get the vaccine as soon as possible. 

• If you tested positive for COVID-19 that means you got the 

virus. Talk with your doctor about getting the vaccine.

Call the Disability Rights office in your state if you 

think your rights are being violated in getting your 

COVID-19 vaccine. You can find one near you at: 

https://www.ndrn.org/about/ndrn-memberagencies/

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