More Americans are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine but may still have to wait for their first sight even as supply increases.
The government announced this week that it will not withhold a second dose of needed vaccines, prompting products at first glance.
A closer look:
WHY AM I TURN?
It all depends on your age, your health and where you work or live. States will ultimately determine the order in which people are eligible for the vaccine, even though the federal government offers guidance.
First: Front-line health care workers and nursing home residents, who started receiving shots last month. States are now expanding to other regions to include others deemed high risk from COVID-19, such as people age 75 and older, firefighters and teachers.
This week, federal health officials urged states to accelerate cases even lower and lower the threshold to age 65 and up. Florida and Georgia and Washington, DC, had already begun to do this.
Federal officials have also recommended the inclusion of people under 65 who have certain health problems that make them more vulnerable if they become ill.
The vaccine is likely months away for most young people. The two vaccines available in the US have not been approved for children.
WHY ARE WE INVOLVED?
The options expand and vary depending on where you live.
Pharmacies are already rolling out vaccines to eligible buyers in states like Alaska, California, Florida, New Jersey and Texas. That list grows and includes grocers and retailers like Walmart that own pharmacies, as well as just drug stores like CVS or Walgreens.
Football pitches, major league football pitches and fences are being turned into vaccine sites across the country so health officers can build ramps while allowing people to maintain social distance.
A vaccination site opened Wednesday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, which was used as a field hospital after the outbreak of the first-onset coronavirus infection last spring.
Check with your state or local health department for information on open sites near you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website offers links to state health departments and their vaccination plans.
Some states like Arizona, California and Virginia have allowed counties to determine who is eligible to receive the next vaccine, said Jennifer Tolbert of the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.
CAN I QUESTION?
There is. At the very least, sites require people to pre-register and prove they deserve a bullet.
Jobs can usually be booked online and also over the phone. But expect some delays in signing up and finding a free slot.
The registration system in Washington, DC, was quickly overturned after the city opened vaccines to residents 65 and older Monday. People reported problems with the website and waited hours for registration over the phone.
CAN I BE IN A LINE?
You may need to sit in your car or stand depending on where you get the vaccine. But meetings are designed to reduce those waits and allow people to maintain a safe social distance while in line.
Georgia pharmacist Jonathan Marquess said Tuesday that it has delivered about 1,000 views so far, and that its customers do not have to wait long. The owner of the independent drug store said he has set up places 10 minutes apart to avoid lines and keep people apart.
“Be patient, we’ll get to you,” he said.
HOW DO THE VACCINATIONS WORK?
The process is relatively simple, like getting a glimpse of the flu. People may need to show their identity or prove their worth before they can get a hold of the arm. Shoes will be registered in state and local vaccine registers.
Those with a history of severe allergic reactions can be asked to wait 30 minutes after the picture before they leave, while most others will only have to wait 15 minutes. This will be needed even for people who use driving clinics.
Pharmacists and nurses are trained to deal with the rare allergic reactions that can occur, said Kathleen Jaeger, an executive group with the National Association of Drug Chain Products.
“This is not new to the COVID vaccine,” she said, noting that some waiting time is recommended for all vaccines.
There are two vaccines available in the US manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna. Both require two doses three to four weeks apart for full coverage. Recipients can expect to receive a card and phone or email reminders to return for the second photo of the same vaccine.
WHAT IS THE COST?
It should be free. The government pays for the vaccine itself. And you should not have to pay a copay fee or other fee to get it.
The cost of providing the photograph will be covered by private and government insurance. If you do not have insurance, providers can use government funds to cover costs.
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AP Reporter Candice Choi contributed to this report.
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The Department of Health and Science Associated Press is supported by the Science Education Department of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is solely responsible for all content.