COVID-19 vaccine resources & FAQs
COVID-19 vaccines are an important step in protecting your health and your loved ones, and we encourage you to talk to your doctor about the right time to get your vaccine. We are committed to providing helpful vaccine information and resources to support you, including $0 cost-share on COVID-19 vaccinations through the national public health emergency period.
Schedule your vaccination
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available across vaccination providers, including retail pharmacies, doctors’ offices and other health systems.
Vaccine protection and safety
FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and help prevent serious illness from COVID-19.
$0 vaccine cost-share
You should not receive a bill for your COVID-19 vaccination through the national public health emergency.
After you get vaccinated
Get the latest on life after you get your vaccine, from how to manage potential side effects to how to access your vaccine record.
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines
To help you plan and keep you informed, we’ve gathered key public information about COVID-19 vaccines below. The CDC remains the best resource on COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines
The FDA has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for use in preventing serious illness from COVID-19 among people ages 12 and older. Certain COVID-19 vaccines are also FDA emergency-use authorized (EUA), among people age 6 months and older to help prevent serious illness from COVID-19. For people who have certain immunocompromised conditions, the FDA authorized an additional dose of the primary series COVID-19 vaccines to help maximize protection for this population. Details can be found in the chart below.
COVID-19 vaccines
| Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTec COVID-19 vaccine | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Primary series | Booster dose(s) |
| 6 months - 4 years | A 3-dose/3 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. A 3 mcg monovalent vaccine is administered for the first and second doses. A 3 mcg bivalent vaccine is administered for the third dose. Children who previously received a 3-dose monovalent primary series are not authorized to repeat the third primary series dose using the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. |
A single 3 mcg bivalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended for those individuals who previously received 3 monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech primary series doses. A booster dose using any COVID-19 vaccine is not authorized for individuals who previously received a bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the third primary series dose. |
| 5 years | A 2-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended. |
A single 10 mcg monovalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose. |
| 6 - 11 years | A 2-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended. |
A single 10 mcg monovalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended for all individuals regardless of immune status. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose. |
| 12+ years | A 2-dose/30 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/30 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended. |
A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose. |
| Spikevax and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Primary series | Booster dose(s) |
| 6 months - 4 years | A 2-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. |
A single 10 mcg bivalent booster dose (Moderna) is recommended. |
| 5 years | A 2-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. |
A single bivalent booster dose (10 mcg Moderna or 10 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. |
| 6 - 11 years | A 2-dose/50 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/50 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. |
A single bivalent booster dose (25 mcg Moderna or 10 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. |
| 12+ years | A 2-dose/100 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised a 3-dose/100 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. |
A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose. |
| Novavax COVID-19 vaccine | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Primary series | Booster dose(s) |
| 12+ years | A 2-dose/0.5 ml primary vaccine series is recommended for all individuals regardless of immune status. | A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. |
According to the CDC, a single 0.5 ml monovalent Novavax booster dose (instead of a bivalent mRNA booster dose) may be used in limited situations for individuals ages 18 years and older. This monovalent Novavax booster dose may be administered at least 6 months after completion of any COVID-19 monovalent primary series to individuals who have not received any previous booster dose(s), and who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine (i.e., an mRNA vaccine is contraindicated or not available) or who are unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
Like the flu vaccine, vaccination providers will administer the COVID-19 vaccine based on availability. Vaccination providers may not have all FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines at their location.
Important reminders on the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide:
- Like other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines can take several weeks after vaccination completion for full effectiveness.
- Fully vaccinated people may carry the virus after exposure, even if they are not showing symptoms.
- The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown and being studied.
Because of this, keep following public health safety guidelines to help protect yourself and others. For the latest information, go to the CDC.
Primary series: First dose appointment preparation and getting a second dose
Bring your UnitedHealthcare member ID card and be prepared to show your photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to show proof of identity.
Additional information on preparing for your vaccination appointment can be found on the CDC website.
For many members, UnitedHealthcare pays an administrative fee to the vaccination provider that covers the member’s standard observation. By showing your health insurance card, you are also helping make sure there is a digital record of your COVID-19 vaccination available through your online UnitedHealthcare member account, which will help you keep a record of your vaccination status.
If you receive additional services during your vaccination appointment or get the vaccination during a regular office visit, you may be responsible for copays, deductibles, coinsurance or out-of-network charges, according to your benefits plan. Your vaccination provider should not charge you for the standard observation, which is the 15-30 minutes after receiving the vaccination.
Here are 3 key points from the CDC to keep in mind for your appointment:
- Allow extra time. Your vaccination provider will likely monitor you after receiving the vaccine. This is in case of a rare allergic reaction. So, you’ll want to plan some extra time.
- Schedule the second dose. Plan ahead for your second dose by scheduling your second vaccine appointment if possible. You can also sign up for free text messaging through the CDC’s VaxText to a get a reminder about your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Keep vaccine cards in a safe place. You should receive a vaccination card during your appointment that says which vaccine you received, the date it was received and where it was received. We suggest you keep your vaccination card in a safe place.
If you are receiving an additional dose, your vaccination card will be updated to reflect those doses at your next appointment. We encourage you to keep your card with you.
The CDC recommends getting the next shot in your series as close to the recommended timing as possible. Follow the vaccination instructions from the manufacturer. If you miss your vaccination appointment or are outside of the timing, you can still get the second dose and you won’t need to start over with a first dose. And even if the second dose is late, the second dose will still help you get protection from COVID-19. You should schedule your next appointment with your vaccination provider as soon as you can.
You should have received a vaccination card at your first appointment with information on the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer, date of your first vaccination and when your second dose is due. If you cannot find that, your vaccination provider can help you know which vaccine you received. You may also be able to find your vaccination information within your vaccine record in your secure account within myuhc.com or medicare.uhc.com.
Per the CDC, in general, the primary series, including any additional primary dose, should be completed with the same monovalent vaccine. A mixed primary series composed of any combination of the Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines is not authorized.
For example, if a member receives the Pfizer-BioNTech as their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the second dose should be the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. If the member were moderately or severely immunocompromised, the third additional primary dose should also be the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The CDC has published guidance regarding the Interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccine for the unusual circumstances where a different, age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine must be administered to complete a primary series.
For those moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine as their first dose, the CDC recommends a monovalent mRNA vaccine for the second additional primary dose.
You should talk to your health care provider or COVID-19 vaccination provider. They will help you determine the best next step to completing the COVID-19 vaccination series.
Additional primary dose and boosters
Guidance on booster shots and when you should get one can be found on the CDC website.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are widely available across vaccination providers, including retail pharmacies, doctors’ offices and other health systems.
An additional primary dose is administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. The additional primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their vaccine primary series. A booster shot is administered when a person has completed their vaccine primary series (which is 3 doses of the vaccine if you are immunocompomised) to enhance or restore protection against COVID-19 which may have decreased over time.
Individuals 5 years and older who received a primary series with any vaccine or who received a monovalent booster are recommended to receive a bivalent booster dose. A bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose.
Guidance on when you should get your booster can be found on the CDC website.
Visit the CDC website for recommendations on primary and booster shots.
The vaccine used for the additional primary dose should be same as the vaccine used for the primary vaccine series. If the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.
To help ensure your safety, the CDC is recommending that you share your proof of vaccination card with your health care provider so they can confirm you meet the appropriate eligibility criteria.
Current guidance is if a member received COVID-19 vaccine/s prior to a hematopoietic cellular transplant (HCT) or CAR T-cell therapy, then a primary series should be repeated at least 3 months after the transplant.
Protection and safety
According to the CDC, the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine should only be used in certain limited situations. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (i.e., the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine) or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine are recommended over the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination due to the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
The safety of vaccines is a top priority, and millions of people have already been safely vaccinated. All FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness, including hospitalization and death, from COVID-19, according to the CDC. They are key to slowing the pandemic. The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure all vaccines go through an extensive process to confirm levels of safety. The recently FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines went through this process. Even after emergency use authorization, the FDA continues to review clinical data about the vaccines.
Approval is granted once the FDA determines the vaccine to be safe and effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19. The FDA goes through a detailed review of clinical data and information, as submitted in the Biologics License Application (BLA).
The CDC website has additional COVID-19 vaccine safety information.
Side effects from vaccines are normal signs that your body is building protection. As with other vaccines and according to the CDC, people have reported some side effects with FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. The most common side effect is a sore arm. Some other side effects may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. But they should go away in a few days. You can learn more on the CDC website.
In the event of an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
If you have side effects that bother you or do not go away, you should report them to your vaccination provider or primary care provider. You should also notify the CDC at 1-800-822-7967. This is because the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. You can also use the CDC’s v-safe mobile app, which will help you monitor side effects and get second dose reminders.
The FDA has a review process for safety and effectiveness that it completes before granting emergency use authorization (EUA) for the general public. Once the FDA authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet to vote on recommending the vaccine.
When evaluating an EUA, the FDA carefully balances the potential risks and benefits of the products based on the data currently available. During the national public health emergency period, the FDA continues to monitor both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
As more COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for emergency use by the FDA, ACIP will quickly hold public meetings to review all available data about each vaccine and make recommendations for their use in the United States.
The FDA approval determined that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. The FDA goes through a detailed review of clinical data and information, as submitted in the Biologics License Application (BLA). In addition, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the CDC have recommended the COVID-19 FDA-approved vaccines:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as Comirnaty. This vaccine was approved for use in preventing COVID-19 among people age 12 and older, and continues to be authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 among people six months to 11 years old.
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as Spikevax. This vaccine was approved for use in preventing COVID-19 among people ages 18 years and older, and continues to be authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 among people six months to 17 years old.
The FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for people with certain conditions or of different ages. The current vaccines are authorized for use among the following ages:
- Pfizer-BioNTech is not authorized for children under 6 months old.
- Moderna is not authorized for children under six months old.
- Novavax is not authorized for people under the age of 12
- Johnson & Johnson's Janssen is not authorized for people under the age of 18.
Per the FDA, women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after Janssen vaccination. Other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Comirnaty and Spikevax, are available where this risk has not been seen.
There are other special considerations for when it might not be a good time to get the vaccine:
- If you've recently been exposed to COVID-19, see the CDC guidelines for getting the vaccine.
- If you’ve had monoclonal antibody treatment or received convalescent plasma, the CDC states vaccination should not occur for at least 90 days.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
According to the CDC, if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or an injected medicine, you should ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. A severe reaction is one that requires treatment at a hospital or with medications like an EpiPen (epinephrine). According to the CDC, the likelihood of severe reaction to the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines is very low.
The CDC recommends the people who have seasonal allergies or allergies to food, pets or oral medications, can still be vaccinated. If you have any questions, you should check with your health care provider.
For more information, you can read the FDA’s fact sheets: Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen. Health care professionals can also look to the FDA’s health care provider fact sheets available for Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax and Janssen; and the package inserts for Comirnaty and Spikevax.
If mammography is scheduled within 6 weeks after your final vaccination shot, consult with your healthcare provider or physician if it should be rescheduled.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended by the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for all people age 12 years and older. This includes people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19.
If you have questions, a conversation with your health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine may be helpful.
There is no evidence that the vaccine has any effect on male or female fertility. When the vaccine is given during pregnancy, the vaccine allows the mother to create antibodies which then protect both the mother and baby from infection.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccinations should be offered to people regardless of whether they have previously had COVID-19. You do not need an antibody or diagnostic test before or after you are vaccinated to learn if the vaccine worked.
Anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation. Additionally, current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. So, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period.
According to the CDC, experts are continuing to study the variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. There are multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the United States, and these variants seem to spread more easily than other variants. An increase in cases of COVID-19 can lead to more hospitalizations and potentially more deaths.
FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines help prevent the virus from spreading, which in turn can help decrease the opportunity for virus variants to develop and spread. According to the CDC, vaccines do help with protect against variants, and they continue to be closely investigated with more studies underway.
Following public health safety practices like wearing face masks, physically distancing, washing hands regularly and isolating or quarantining when sick can help protect your health and the health of those around you. To learn more, visit the CDC website.
Masks help protect you and others from COVID-19. Learn more about when to wear a mask on the CDC site.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines can be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines, including the flu vaccine. You can get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit. The CDC says that routine flu vaccination is an important part of preventive care for children, adolescents and adults (including pregnant people) that should not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local public health agencies determine quarantine recommendations. According to the CDC, quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Exposure is defined as 15 minutes or more of being within 6 feet of an individual who has tested positive or had symptoms within 2 days of exposure. By staying home or not going in public, quarantine helps prevent disease spread before a person knows they have the virus.
Learn more on the CDC website.
According to the CDC, isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, staying in a specific “sick room” and using a separate bathroom if possible. The length of the isolation period depends on several factors. Review the CDC’s recommendations for when isolation can end based on the situation.
According to the CDC, while most people get over COVID-19 within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID-19 conditions that continue 4 weeks or more after infection. Several recent studies show that between 27-33% of patients who get COVID-19 and were not hospitalized developed some lasting symptoms, no matter their age, prior health or severity of their infection. While much is still unknown, the CDC reports these “long COVID” conditions can come to life in a variety of ways, ranging from difficulty breathing, fatigue, joint pain or mood changes to even more serious issues like multi-organ damage or autoimmune conditions. FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines play an important role in preventing serious illness from COVID-19. Additional information on PASC is available on the CDC website.
Cost and coverage
You will have $0 cost-share (copayments, deductibles or coinsurance) on your FDA-authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination as noted below, no matter where you get the vaccine1 and including when 2 doses are required, as well as when a third dose is needed and booster shots, as outlined below.
- Plans through Employers and Individual health plans, including Student Resources, Short Term Limited Liability and Exchange plans: You will have $0 cost-share for the vaccine at both in-network and out-of-network providers through the national public health emergency period. UnitedHealthcare pays a fee to the vaccination provider for the administration of the vaccine and the recommended observation. If you receive care for an adverse reaction, you may be responsible for copays, deductibles, coinsurance or out-of-network charges, according to your benefits plan.
- Medicare plans: You will have $0 cost-share for the vaccine at both in-network and out-of-network providers through the national public health emergency period. Providers should not ask you for payment, up front or after you receive the vaccine.
- For Medicaid members in UnitedHealthcare Community Plans: You will have $0 cost-share for the vaccine with both in-network and out-of-network providers through the national public health emergency period. State variations and regulations may apply during this time. Please review the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan website and your state’s site for the latest information. If no state-specific guidance is available, UnitedHealthcare plan guidelines will apply.
For those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised as defined by the CDC, a third COVID-19 vaccination dose is covered at $0 cost-share.
If a COVID-19 vaccine is received during a regular doctor’s visit where you talk about other health needs, you may have a cost-share for the office visit, according to your benefits plan. This means you may be responsible for a copay, coinsurance or deductible. The COVID-19 vaccination will have $0 cost-share through the national public health emergency period.
After you get vaccinated
Side effects from vaccines are normal signs that your body is building protection. As with other vaccines and according to the CDC, people have reported some side effects with the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. The most common side effect is a sore arm. Some other side effects may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. But they should go away in a few days. You can learn more on the CDC website.
If you experience pain or discomfort after your vaccination, talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help with your symptoms. You can also use a virtual visit to connect with a health care professional to discuss your symptoms.
In the event of an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
If you have side effects that bother you or do not go away, you should report them to your vaccination provider or primary care provider. You should also notify the CDC at 1-800-822-7967. This is because the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. You can also use the CDC’s v-safe mobile app, which will help you monitor side effects and get second dose reminders.
According to the CDC, if you got the Janssen vaccine within the last 3 weeks, your risk of developing a blood clot with low platelets is very low. However, you should be on the lookout for possible symptoms of a blood clot with low platelets, which typically occur within 3 weeks of vaccination. Seek medical care urgently if any of these symptoms develop:
- Severe headache
- Backache
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Severe pain in your abdomen or stomach
- Severe pain in your chest
- Leg swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae)
- New or easy bruising or bleeding
If you have other questions, call your primary care provider or other health care professional. You can also use a virtual visit to connect with a health care professional. To access 24/7 on-demand virtual visits through a designated national provider, sign in to your online UnitedHealthcare account. Cost-share for the virtual visit will be according to your benefits plan.
No, the CDC and FDA does not recommend you get COVID-19 antibody or diagnostic testing.
If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, refer to the CDC site for steps you should take regardless on your vaccination or previous infection status.
Learn more on the CDC website.
We encourage you to keep your vaccination card in a safe place. You may want to consider taking a picture or scan of your vaccination card as a backup copy.
Your vaccine record, which may be available through your online UnitedHealthcare member account, may also be helpful in situations where you may need to show proof of vaccination. If you currently do not have one showing, you can self-report your vaccination, so you have digital proof of vaccination to use and share as you’d like.
Clinical resources
Want to learn more? Here are clinical resources from various authorities to help in understanding COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine fraud awareness
Be on alert for fraud. While you may be interested in sharing the news of your vaccination, be sure not to post a picture of your CDC vaccination card on the internet or via social media. There may be people who try to use your information as their own.
Related content
We're listening
We’re committed to keeping you up to date on COVID-19. We're taking note of your questions and working hard to provide answers.
