The COVID-19 vaccines have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved or authorized emergency use for the the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and boosters (also known as Comirnaty), Moderna vaccine and boosters and Novavax vaccine for use in preventing COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has systems in place to watch for safety issues across our country. These vaccines are being administered not just in the United States but globally.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration

1. COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19, may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19, and may also protect people around you.
2. COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection. Contracting COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how it will affect you. Plus, if you get sick, you could also spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you.
3. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic. The best way to stop the spread of the COVID-19 variants is to get vaccinated. Why is this? If people are not vaccinated, COVID-19 infects people, giving the virus an opportunity to replicate and mutate. If you’re vaccinated, the virus can be stopped.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Variants of COVID-19 are mutations of the virus that occur if the virus isn’t stopped. Numerous variants are being tracked in the United States and globally. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 Omicron variants are concerning because they spread more easily and have resulted in more U.S. COVID-19 cases. Learn more

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Adults 18 Years or Older

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require 2 shots to get the most protection. You must get both doses from the same manufacturer to get full protection from the vaccines. Pfizer-BioNTech doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart, and Moderna doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart. While you should get your second shot as close to the recommended timing as possible, you can still get your second shot after these times if, for example, a second dose is not yet available.

Children and Teens Ages 12-17 Years

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require 2 shots to get the most protection. You must get both doses from the same manufacturer to get full protection from the vaccines. Pfizer-BioNTech doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart, and Moderna doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart. While you should get your second shot as close to the recommended timing as possible, you can still get your second shot after these times if, for example, a second dose is not yet available.

Children Ages 11 Years and Under

Click here to learn more about the vaccines available, number of doses and dose timing.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

No. The vaccine is being provided at no cost. Vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving the vaccination, which should be covered by insurance or the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and that it is possible to get reinfected with COVID-19, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. However, if you were treated for COVID-19, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. Some COVID-19 treatments require you to wait 90 days before getting a vaccine.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Yes, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine. The current vaccines are thought to be effective against some variants. Scientists are constantly studying this to ensure current vaccines will protect against variants.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

In addition to issuing approval and/or Emergency Use Authorization for four COVID-19 vaccines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with other vaccine developers, researchers and manufacturers to help expedite the development and availability of medical products to prevent or treat COVID-19, including additional vaccines.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The most current and accurate COVID-19 vaccination data is on the California Department of Public Health’s website.

As you can see from the interactive map, the percentage of fully vaccinated individuals in Rancho Cordova is quite high. In fact, neighborhoods in the Sunrise Boulevard and Douglas Road area are at an impressive 100% vaccinated with primary doses.

Source: California Department of Public Health

Following are helpful resources on the COVID-19 vaccines.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Johns Hopkins Medicine
• California Department of Public Health
• Sacramento County Public Health

Vaccines are widely available and free! Everyone in California who is 6 months or older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved for those who are 6 months or older, the Novavax vaccine is approved for those who are 12+, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved for those who are 18+.

See the city's website above to find an appointment. If you need help making an appointment or are homebound, dial 211 for assistance.

Source: Sacramento County Public Health, California Department of Public Health

Lyft riders can request free rides to get to a vaccine appointment. Learn more on the Lyft website.

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19. However, like many vaccinations, it takes a few weeks for your body to build protection after being vaccinated.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

No mask mandates are currently in place. However, learn more about the CDC's mask recommendations here.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Visit the CDC’s vaccine webpage for information on what to expect after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including common side effects and helpful tips. However, if you’ve ever had an immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or injectable therapy for another disease—even if it was not severe—ask your doctor about getting vaccinated.

Long-Term Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccines will not cause long-term harm or side effects.

More Information about Side Effects

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Serious problems from any vaccination can happen, but they are rare. The CDC has learned of reports that some people have experienced severe allergic reactions—also known as anaphylaxis—after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

More Information about Allergic Reactions

The CDC has launched v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting COVID-19 because they’ve already had COVID-19 or they’ve got the COVID-19 vaccine.

Herd immunity would make it hard for COVID-19 to spread, and it would even protect those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns.

We are still learning how many people would need to get the COVID-19 vaccine to achieve herd immunity. However, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a safer way to build protection instead of getting sick.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

It’s easy! Get your digital vaccination record at MyVaccineRecord.cdph.ca.gov.

Source: California Department of Public Health

Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus may decrease over time and be less able to protect against new variants. However, a booster shot, or a third shot, provides additional protection against COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, called updated bivalent boosters, are approved for those who are 5+. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine booster shots protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

No. The three COVID-19 vaccines available to us are designed to help your body’s immune system fight the coronavirus. The messenger RNA (mRNA) from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines does enter cells, but not the nucleus of the cells where DNA resides. The mRNA does its job to cause the cell to make protein to stimulate the immune system, and then it quickly breaks down—without affecting your DNA.

In addition, the viral vector from the Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen COVID-19 vaccine uses genetic material to deliver important instructions to our cells to start building protection—without affecting your DNA.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

The mRNA technology behind the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines has been in development for almost two decades. The viral vector technology behind the Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen vaccine has been in development since the 1970s. Vaccine makers created both technologies to help them respond quickly to a new pandemic illness, such as COVID-19.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

No. The COVID-19 vaccines contain typical vaccine ingredients, such as fats, salts, as well as a small amount of sugar. The COVID-19 vaccines were not developed, as some false reports suggest, using fetal tissue, nor do they contain implants, microchips or tracking devices. Learn more

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Yes. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, it is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause any problems with pregnancy, and fertility problems are not a side effect of any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), John Hopkins Medicine