COVID-19 can cause serious illness and hospitalization

Get the facts about the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech.

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The virus that causes COVID-19 continues to evolve and change. These changes occur over time and can lead to new variants. COVID-19 is very contagious and can spread quickly. It most often causes respiratory symptoms, but other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.

COVID-19 impacts the body differently from person to person.

COVID-19 can cause symptoms ranging from mild to very severe. These COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure and can include†:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
†This is not a comprehensive list of symptoms.

Several risk factors for COVID-19

Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

Learn more about risk factors that make it more likely to get very sick with COVID-19 at the CDC website.

Why were COVID-19 vaccines updated?

Why were COVID-19 vaccines updated?

People who were previously vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines may no longer be adequately protected.

The virus that causes COVID-19 evolves and changes often, which means it can escape the defenses the immune system built up against earlier variants.

That’s why the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech are designed to help protect against recent variants.

Help protect your loved ones against COVID-19 with the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech—available in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies across the US.

Schedule Here

Most people should continue to pay $0 out-of-pocket for COVID-19 vaccines.

Uninsured or underinsured? Please read the below information.

For Adults

Uninsured or underinsured adults can receive at no cost at participating locations.

For more information read more about the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.

For Children

Eligible uninsured/underinsured children can receive at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program at participating providers, but there may be other costs such as for the visit or additional services.

For more information, read the CDC’s website about VFC Questions and Answers for Parents.
/global/vaccine-finder