COVID-19 Vaccine Information
All Utahns ages 16 and older can get the vaccine.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine.
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 63 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through February 21, 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 16 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
Benefits of COVID-19 vaccines
- Why should I get vaccinated?
- Long-term symptoms and complications of COVID-19
- Do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
- Do the COVID-19 vaccines work against new strains of the virus?
How COVID-19 vaccines are developed
- Did the government develop the vaccines?
- How did they develop safe vaccines in such a short time, when vaccines usually take years to develop?
- Why does it take so long to develop vaccines for new diseases, but only a short amount of time to develop new flu vaccines?
- Have there been coronavirus vaccines developed before?
- How many vaccines are being developed?
Types of COVID-19 vaccines
- Are there different types of vaccines?
- Will more than one company offer vaccines?
- Does this mean healthcare workers will get a different vaccine than everyone else?
- What’s the difference between the vaccines?
- What is an mRNA vaccine?
- Can an mRNA vaccine change or modify my DNA?
- Can I get one dose of each type of vaccine?
- How do they decide which type of vaccine you get?
Vaccine safety
- How do we know the vaccines are safe?
- What is an mRNA vaccine?
- Can an mRNA vaccine change or modify my DNA?
- How do we know the vaccines will be safe long-term?
- Are the vaccines safe for all populations?
- What happens if they find out the vaccine isn’t safe, after I get it?
- Have the vaccines caused any deaths?
- How do I know I won’t be given one of the vaccines that didn’t get approved?
- Should I get the vaccine if I have allergies?
- I have a health condition that prevents me from getting other vaccines. What should I do?
- What are the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines?
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
- Do the vaccines have side effects?
- What are the risks of COVID-19 vaccines?
- Common side effects that have been reported for COVID-19 vaccines
- What if I have side effects after I get the vaccine?
- How do I report an adverse event (side effect) to a vaccine?
- Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for all populations?
- Do certain populations react differently to the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials
- What are vaccine clinical trials?
- How many people were included in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials?
- What does it mean if a clinical trial is temporarily paused?
- What do COVID-19 studies measure in Phase 3?
- Do clinical trials tell us enough to know if the vaccines are effective?
- Does COVID-19 mutation affect vaccine studies?
- Is it a waste of time to keep studying COVID-19 vaccines after people are already getting them?
How COVID-19 vaccines protect you against the virus
- How do vaccines work?
- How does the vaccine protect me?
- What is an mRNA vaccine?
- Can an mRNA vaccine change or modify my DNA?
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines
Who should get vaccinated for COVID-19?
- Who should get vaccinated?
- Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Can my teenager or adolescent get vaccinated?
- Why can’t children get the vaccine right now?
- Can I get vaccinated if I’m pregnant?
- Can I get the vaccine if I’m breastfeeding?
- Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for all populations?
- Do I need to get vaccinated if I’ve already had COVID-19?
- Will I be required to get the vaccine?
- Can employers legally require their employees to get the vaccine?
- Does immigration status affect my ability to get the vaccine?
How much does it cost?
Where can I get the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccine immunity
- Will I need more than one dose of the vaccine?
- How long can I wait to get my 2nd dose of the vaccine?
- Will getting vaccinated make me test positive for COVID-19?
- How long will COVID-19 vaccine immunity last?
- Does your natural immunity after you get COVID-19 last longer than protection from COVID-19 vaccines?
- Can I still get COVID-19 even if I’m vaccinated?
- Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine every year?
- What is herd immunity?
- What percentage of the population needs to get vaccinated to have herd immunity to COVID-19?
Do vaccines work?
- What is herd immunity?
- What percentage of the population needs to get vaccinated to have herd immunity to COVID-19?
- Are vaccines dangerous?
- I hear about people who don't believe in vaccines. Is there any scientific evidence to support this point
of view? - Someone I know told me never to get a flu shot, because the one time she did, she ended up getting the flu. Will a flu vaccine give me the flu?
You still need to take safety precautions after you get vaccinated.
- Will the vaccine mean the pandemic is over?
- Can I still spread the virus to other people after I am vaccinated for COVID-19?
- Do I still need to get tested if I have symptoms of COVID-19 after getting vaccinated?
- Do I still need to isolate if I test positive for COVID-19 after I get vaccinated?
- Do I still need to quarantine if I’m exposed to someone who tests positive after I’m vaccinated?
- Do I need to wear a mask after I get vaccinated for COVID-19?
- Why do we need a vaccine if we can take other safety precautions to keep the virus from spreading?
- Do I need to wear a mask if I have received 2 doses of the vaccine?
- When can I stop wearing a mask after I have been vaccinated?
COVID-19 vaccination and other vaccines
- Can I have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
- What is the difference between the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Are there other vaccines that can help prevent me from getting COVID-19?
- Is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
Official vaccine information for the state of Utah
FDA authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people age 12 and older
May 10, 2021Gov. Cox issues new executive order updating the COVID-19 vaccination plan
May 6, 2021Utah meets COVID-19 thresholds established in House Bill 294
May 4, 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.