COVID-19 Vaccine Information
All Utahns ages 12 and older can get the vaccine.
If you are 12 to 17 years old, you can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine.
Booster dose recommendations
Booster dose recommended for the following people at highest risk of severe COVID-19; only applies to people who got Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 6 months ago (March 2021):
- people who are 65 or older, and
- people who live in a long-term care facility, and
- people 18 and older with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and
- people who live or work in a setting that puts them at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as healthcare workers and teachers.
Booster dose recommended for anyone ages 18 and older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months after they had their initial dose.
The CDC allows mixing-and-matching of COVID-19 vaccines to help provide greater flexibility and increased protection for people getting booster shots. People can get a different type of booster vaccine than the type of vaccine they originally received.
Where can I get vaccinated?
How we get back to normal
Every Utahn who is able to should choose to get vaccinated for COVID-19. If as many people as possible get vaccinated and we continue to follow health recommendations, we will win this fight against this virus.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?
Over 334 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 14, 2020, through July 12, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA).
Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines will undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
U of U Health
7 facts you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
Fact #1
COVID-19 vaccines don’t give you COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines don’t contain any part of the virus, so it can’t cause you to get COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines protect you from the virus. You may get side effects after you get vaccinated, like a sore arm or fever. These are normal and common.
Fact #2
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, even though they were developed quickly.
No steps were skipped developing COVID-19 vaccines. Scientists around the world have been working on this technology for more than a decade. This is why it was possible to make a safe and effective vaccine available very quickly.
Fact #3
COVID-19 vaccines may protect you against more than one strain of the virus.
Viruses change, or develop small mutations, over time. Data shows COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the strains we’ve seen so far of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Fact #4
COVID-19 vaccines don’t change your DNA.
COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines and don’t interact with your DNA in any way. They trigger an immune response that creates antibodies to protect you from getting infected with COVID-19.
Fact #5
COVID-19 vaccines have not been linked to infertility or miscarriage.
COVID-19 hasn’t caused infertility in women who’ve had the virus, so there’s no reason to think the vaccine would cause it. There was some information spread online that was not true; saying that the protein in the vaccine attacks a protein in the placenta. This is not true. The small number of amino acids in the two proteins would not cause that effect. COVID-19 vaccines haven’t been tested in pregnant women, but pregnant women do get vaccinated for other illnesses during pregnancy. Pregnant women have an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and there is a chance you could give COVID-19 to your baby after he or she is born. Talk to your doctor to see if you should get vaccinated.
Fact #6
COVID-19 vaccines don’t contain microchips or tracking devices.
Misinformation that COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips or tracking devices has been proven false. We know exactly what is in each vaccine. The list of ingredients in each vaccine can be found here.
Fact #7
People with chronic diseases or conditions should get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn to get the vaccine.
If you have a chronic disease, like diabetes, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people with chronic diseases or conditions.
What are the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines?
It is common for people to have mild or moderate symptoms or side effects after they get a vaccination. There is usually no reason to worry if you get mild to moderate symptoms a few days after getting vaccinated. This means your body has started working to create an immune response and is learning to fight the disease. Mild or moderate symptoms include things like a fever or redness around an injection site.
Learn more about side effects here.
COVID-19 vaccines
- Authorized for anyone 12 years of age or older.
- Number of shots: 2 shots, 21 days apart
- How it’s given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
For a full list of ingredients, side effects, and who should get the vaccine, see the fact sheet.
Pfizer vaccine fact sheet
(For other languages, click here)
- Authorized for anyone 18 years of age or older.
- Number of shots: 2 shots, 28 days apart
- How it’s given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
For a full list of ingredients, side effects, and who should get the vaccine, see the fact sheet.
Moderna vaccine fact sheet
(For other languages, click here)
- Authorized for anyone 18 years of age or older.
- Number of shots: 1 shot
- How it’s given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
For a full list of ingredients, side effects, and who should get the vaccine, see the fact sheet.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine fact sheet
(For other languages, click here)
FAQs on the CDC and FDA decision to “pause” administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines
Official vaccine information for the state of Utah
A letter from Greg Staker, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Uintah Basin Healthcare
October 5, 2021What Utah’s current hospitalization rates mean for your family
October 4, 2021COVID-19 booster dose recommended for people at highest risk for severe COVID-19
September 24, 2021Join our email list for vaccine updates
The COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic. Stay up-to-date on vaccines, COVID-19 information, and Utah Department of Health recommendations so you can make informed decisions to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.
We are all in this together.
We recommend everyone keep practicing the health behaviors we know reduce the spread of COVID-19, until it is safer.
Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you are in close contact with anyone who doesn’t live in your home, especially indoors.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Try to keep at least 6 feet or 2 meters between you and people who don’t live in your home, especially indoors.
Stay home if you are sick.