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How to Talk About COVID-19 Vaccines with Friends and Family

COVID-19 vaccines are new, and it’s normal for people to have questions about them. The sheer amount of information—and misinformation—about COVID-19 vaccines can be overwhelming to anyone. You can help by listening without judgement and identifying the root of their concerns. Acknowledge their emotions so they know they have been heard. Ask open-ended questions to explore their concerns, ask permission to share information, and help them find their own reason to get vaccinated. 

Masks and Health

Studies on the effects of wearing masks have shown there is no change in oxygen or carbon dioxide levels when people wear cloth and surgical masks while resting and exercising. The studies included healthy hospital workers, older adults, and adults with COPD. Although sometimes uncomfortable, masks were found to be safe even when exercising. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Following a rapid rise in COVID-19 vaccination rates, U.S. vaccination progress is beginning to slow. While more than 8 in 10 people ages 65 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, only about 1 in 3 people ages 18 to 29 have. Everyone 16 and older is currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and can benefit from the protection it offers themselves and others. Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Subscribe to get CDC’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review sent to your inbox every Friday. 

CDC’s COVID-19 Science Update

As we learn more about COVID-19, CDC is working hard to ensure you have access to the latest information on the pandemic, the virus, and its variants. CDC’s COVID-19 Science Update links to new COVID-19-related studies and provides summaries of key findings, methods, and implications from these peer-reviewed and preprint articles.  

Large Gatherings

Large gatherings bring together many people from multiple households in a private or public space. Large gatherings are often planned events with a large number of guests and invitations. Attending gatherings to celebrate graduations and other end of the school year events makes you more likely to get or spread COVID-19. The safest way to celebrate this year is virtually, with people who live with you, or outside while taking prevention measures. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

May 10, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 32,543,257 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Choosing Safer Activities 

If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can start doing many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. Outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events with little risk. Fully vaccinated people can attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people, as well as eat at outdoor restaurants with friends from multiple households. 

People with Certain Medical Conditions

Adults of any age with certain conditions can be more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Older adults are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 as well. More than 80% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65, and more than 95% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people older than 45. Preventive measures for COVID-19 (including vaccination, wearing a mask and social distancing) are important especially if you are older or have multiple or severe health conditions. If you have a medical condition, speak with your healthcare provider about steps you can take to manage your health and risks. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

CDC is monitoring COVID-19 cases, variants, and vaccinations across the globe. If you are traveling, make sure you understand the situation with COVID-19 where you are going so you can travel as safely as possible. Read more in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Domestic Travel During COVID-19

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine, but should still follow CDC’s recommendations for travel, including:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
• Stay 6 feet from others and avoid crowds
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for unvaccinated people.

Essential Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit

Essential workers like police officers, firefighters, and people working in education, child care centers, and grocery stores maintain the services and functions that U.S. residents depend on daily. CDC designed a toolkit to help employers educate essential workers about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

May 3, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 32,228,003 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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What to Do If You Received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

If you received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, your risk of having a blood clot is also very low and that risk will decrease over time.

Contact your healthcare provider and seek medical treatment urgently if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Backache
• New neurologic symptoms
• Severe abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Leg swelling
• Tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae)
• New or easy bruising

If you have any adverse events after vaccination, report them to v-safe and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Despite more Americans being vaccinated every day, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in some parts of the country. Cases are increasing among young people who have not yet been vaccinated. Continue to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet apart from others, even when you are fully vaccinated, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review has more information about the state of the pandemic. 

COVID-19 Breakthrough Case Investigations and Reporting

As of April 14, 2021, more than 75 million people in the United States had been fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control. However no vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness. Like with other vaccines, vaccine breakthrough cases will occur, even though the vaccines are working as expected. CDC is leading multiple vaccine effectiveness studies to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are working as expected. 

COVID-19 Vaccines for People at Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19

Everyone 16 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for and can be administered to most people with underlying medical conditions. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

April 19, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 31,444,706 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Which COVID-19 Vaccine?

All COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States are safe and effective. The best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you. CDC does not recommend one vaccine brand over another.

Learn more about the three vaccines that are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen

You can find answers to your questions, including information on side effects, what activities you can start doing after vaccination, and more.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 cases in the United States have been steadily increasing. This increase could be driven by more contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. B.1.1.7, the most common variant in the United States, has been reported in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Learn more about these variants in CDC’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review: http://bit.ly/CDTweeklyreview. 

Health Equity in Action

To help the United States succeed against COVID-19, CDC is working with state, territorial, local, and tribal partners, and community-serving organizations, to ensure all public health actions address health disparities for all populations.

Post-COVID Conditions

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks to months of illness, some do not. CDC and experts around the world are working to learn more about short- and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them, and why. CDC uses the term post-COVID conditions to describe health issues that persist more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

April 12, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 31,015,033 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

Cleaning with a household cleaner that contains soap or detergent reduces the amount of germs on surfaces and decreases risk of infection from surfaces. Disinfection to reduce transmission of COVID-19 at home is likely not needed unless someone in your home is sick or if someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours. Follow recommended steps for cleaning and disinfecting your home when someone is sick.

COVID-NET Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations

Did you know? CDC’s COVID-NET works with more than 250 hospitals in 14 states to monitor COVID-19–associated hospitalizations by age, race and ethnicity, sex, and underlying health conditions. Explore trends in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations through interactive dashboards on CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine 

Because COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, you may have questions about what happens before, during and after your vaccine. We have tips to help you: 

• Find a COVID-19 vaccine

• Know what to expect at your COVID-19 vaccination appointment

• Know if you need a second shot

• Know what activities you can start doing once you are fully vaccinated

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

As of April 1, 2021, nearly 154 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States. This is tremendous progress. However, we are now seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases that include new and emerging COVID-19 variants, which threaten our progress. The race to contain the virus is underway, and our actions today will determine when we stop its spread. Read about cases, vaccines and more in CDC’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

April 5, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 30,532,965 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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COVID-19 Weekly Cases and Deaths per 100,000 Population by Age, Race/Ethnicity, and Sex

CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now includes case and death trend data for different demographic groups. Follow the effect of COVID-19 by age, race and ethnicity, and sex since the pandemic began.  

COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe

Millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants during clinical trials. COVID-19 vaccines have met all of FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). We recommend you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available to you.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Testing is essential to our success in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Testing helps us identify people who are infected, even if they are not showing symptoms, so we can take action to prevent further spread in our communities. Read about COVID-19 testing and more in CDC’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review: http://bit.ly/CDTweeklyreview  

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

March 29, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 30,085,827 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Your arm may hurt where you got your shot or you may have redness or swelling. You may be tired or have a headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, or nausea. Side effects can affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects. 

How to Talk to Family and Friends about COVID-19 Vaccines

Talking with family and friends about the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be hard. You can help by listening without judgement and identifying the root of their concerns. Things to remember to help open the discussion include:

• Listen to questions with empathy
• Ask open-ended questions to explore concerns
• Ask permission to share information
• Help them find their own reason to get vaccinated
• Help make their vaccination happen

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

It’s been over a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the United States has experienced more than 29 million cases and 530,000 deaths from COVID-19. However, vaccination, combined with proven prevention measures, will help protect the health of all Americans. Get a vaccine when it is available to you, wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, and avoid crowds. To date, more than 1 in 5 (20%) Americans have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

March 22, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 29,652,483 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

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Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19

CDC’s updated Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19 provides information on mask use, screening, keeping children in contained groups, staggering schedules, communal spaces, food service, ventilation and water systems, vaccination, direct service providers, children with special needs, and protecting individuals at higher risk for severe illness. Recommendations include the following:

• Everyone 2 years or older should wear a mask in childcare facilities, except when eating or sleeping.
• Childcare programs conducting temperature screening should consider a combination of screening methods that use increased distance and physical barriers.
• Getting vaccinated as soon as the opportunity is available is an important way for staff to stay safe and be less likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19.

Vaccinations for Teachers, School Staff and Childcare Workers

Pharmacies that are part of CDC’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program are giving COVID-19 vaccination priority to all school staff and childcare workers throughout March. To support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directive prioritizing vaccination of teachers, school staff and childcare workers, CDC created a toolkit to help school and childcare administrators and directors encourage staff to get vaccinated. This includes teachers, childcare workers, teaching assistants, paraprofessional educators, office staff, bus drivers, school nurses and counselors, school nutrition staff, coaches and athletic trainers, custodians, and security staff. Education leaders can use the ideas and materials in this toolkit to communicate with staff. 

How to Talk to Your Close Contacts

Contact tracing helps protect you, your family, and your community by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Contact tracing also helps people who may have been exposed to get tested and asks people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who does. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you can help protect them and others in your community. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

March 15, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 29,269,590 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

Subscribe here for update notifications.

COVID-19 vaccine safety continues to be a top priority at CDC. CDC relies on several systems to monitor vaccine safety, including v-safe, a new, smartphone-based tool. V-safe allows users to report side effects after COVID-19 vaccination to CDC in almost real time. V-safe is now available in English, Korean, simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Watch this video to learn more.

More: V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker | CDC

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Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. But while COVID-19 vaccines can keep you from getting sick, scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. So even after vaccination, we need to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Although the vaccine supply is currently limited, the federal government is working toward making vaccines widely available. 

Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19

Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are circulating globally. These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths. So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway. Prevention strategies like vaccination, social distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine are essential to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health. 

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review 

CDC’s new COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review combines images, analysis, and interpretations of key data and trends to keep you up to date on the pandemic and understand the data. 

Variant Update: New virus variants that spread more easily could lead to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases A Minnesota investigation found: Less travel less spread fewer cases

New Data Show Ongoing Need for Prevention  

Data published last week in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlight how new COVID-19 variants are spreading. These data show the ongoing need for proven prevention strategies to limit the impact of these variants. To slow the spread, everyone should

• Wear a well-fitting mask.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with them.
• Avoid crowds, gatherings, and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Postpone travel.
• Wash their hands often.
• Get a vaccine when it’s available to them.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

February 22, 2021

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 27,938,085 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.