 The FDA is working to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and keep you and your family informed on the latest developments. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions from consumers about vaccines. Q: How do I get an authorized COVID-19 vaccine? A: Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to find your state and local health departments that are responsible for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. All questions and concerns about vaccine availability should be sent to your state government or local health department. FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are distributed for free by states and local communities. You cannot buy COVID-19 vaccines online. You do not need to pay any out-of-pocket costs to get an authorized COVID-19 vaccine — not before, during, or after your appointment. If someone asks you to pay for your vaccine, it is either a scam or a mistake. Q: Do the authorized COVID-19 vaccines work? A: Yes. All three FDA-authorized vaccines prevent COVID-19 and serious health outcomes that COVID-19 can cause, including hospitalization and deaths. The FDA thoroughly evaluated and analyzed the safety and effectiveness data for all of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA determined that the available data for each vaccine provides clear evidence that the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks of each vaccine. Q: What safety information is available about myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination? A: Reports to the FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) suggest increased risks of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination with both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, particularly following the second dose. Typically, onset of symptoms has occurred within a few days following vaccination. Although the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis appears to be very low given the number of doses that have been administered for each of these vaccines, the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) includes a warning pertaining to the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, and the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers includes information about myocarditis and pericarditis. For each vaccine, the warning specifically notes that reports of adverse events suggest increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly following the second dose and with onset of symptoms within a few days after vaccination. The Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers notes that vaccine recipients should seek medical attention right away if they experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart after vaccination. Based on available information of the confirmed reported cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, most affected individuals were hospitalized. But they responded well to treatment and rest, and their symptoms went away quickly. The FDA and CDC are monitoring the reports, collecting more information, and will follow up to assess longer-term outcomes over several months. For the latest information about COVID-19, visit: | 
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