All Pennsylvanians 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
To find an appointment near you, use the Vaccine Finder.
Text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish and receive three possible vaccination sites in your area, with phone numbers to call for an appointment.
If you need help, call the PA Department of Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
Vax Facts: Community Conversations about COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines are new, so it’s normal to have questions about them. Access to reliable, trusted sources can help you make the best decision for you and your family.
That’s why on Oct. 12 at 12 PM, the PA Commission for Latino Affairs is honored to convene a panel of leaders from the Latin American community and Pennsylvania-based medical professionals to answer questions related to the vaccines, information privacy, and safety concerns.
The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Natalia Ortiz, Temple University Hospital/Lewis-Katz Temple School of Medicine.
Have questions? We have answers! Submit questions in advance to VaxFacts@pa.gov.
Protect Yourself Against Variants by Getting Vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines are still the best way to protect against the virus – including against variants like the Delta variant. The data shows current COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death in patients who have one of the variants of the virus.
New variants of COVID-19 are emerging around the world. Viruses are constantly changing, and viral mutations are common. We see this happen in other viruses, like in the virus that causes influenza.
Viruses that spread rapidly have more opportunity for their genetic material to change, so variants can emerge faster than for viruses that spread more slowly. Some of the most common COVID-19 variants appear to spread faster than the original virus.
Free COVID-19 Vaccines at Fairs
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the below fairs. No registration is needed. Clinics have been scheduled for the following dates and times at:
• New Holland Fair (Lancaster County), Sept. 29 from 12 PM to 5 PM, Sept. 30 & Oct . 1 from 12 PM to 6 PM, and Oct. 2 from 11 AM to 1 PM
Additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics at fairs are currently being planned. Fairs interested in offering a COVID-19 vaccination clinic should contact the PA Department of Health to discuss the possibility of setting up a clinic.
It’s Never Too Late for Your Second Dose
If you already had your first vaccine shot, but had to miss your second appointment, reschedule today! It’s never too late to get your second shot. You can call your vaccine provider to get a new appointment. Or, you can find an appointment through the Vaccine Finder website, texting your zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish, or by calling the PA Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258 for help finding a provider.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require a second dose for you to be fully vaccinated. If you get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you only need one dose.
Two weeks after your last dose, your immune system will be able to recognize and protect against COVID-19. You are not considered fully vaccinated until you get your second dose if you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Before you leave your first dose appointment, make sure you have your second appointment scheduled.
Once you get your last dose, snap a selfie, and share the great news on social media using the #GotMyShotPA hashtag. Encourage others to do the same. Avoid posting pictures of your vaccine card.
Question of the Week
I hear a lot of people survive COVID-19. Why should I get the vaccine?
COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to family, friends, and others around you.
We are becoming more aware that many people may be affected by post-COVID conditions – a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that occur more than four weeks after being first infected by the virus.
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions including “long COVID” and multiorgan effects (including impacts to heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain functions).
You can have post-COVID issues even if you had mild or no symptoms from your initial infection. Getting a vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from getting sick with COVID-19 and avoiding both the initial illness and potential post-COVID conditions.
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg, PA
PA Dept. of Health Hotline: 1-877-724-3258 Web: PA.GOV/COVID