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Increasing Community Access to Testing program

Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection. With all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus in the future.

It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to produce T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.

Sometimes after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal signs the body is building immunity.

Long COVID: Preparing for Healthcare Appointments

If you think you or a loved one may have a post-COVID condition (new or persistent conditions occurring 4 or more weeks after initial infection), taking a few steps to prepare for your meeting with a healthcare provider can make all the difference in getting the proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

To help get the most out of appointments for post-COVID conditions, download the Healthcare Appointment Checklist.

Try to arrive early or log on a few minutes ahead of the appointment and ensure paperwork is completed on your appointment day.

After visiting your healthcare provider, review your notes to prepare for your next appointment.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

XBB.1.5 has risen to be the predominant Omicron lineage in the United States, accounting for about 66% of all cases. It’s the only major lineage increasing in proportion across the country.

This week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review provides an update on XBB.1.5 and other Omicron lineages currently circulating in the United States.

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

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Two Years of COVID-19 Vaccination

Flu Vaccine and COVD-19 Boosters

Studies conducted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit.

A CDC study published last summer showed people who got a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same time were slightly more likely to have reactions including fatigue, headache, and muscle ache than people who only got a COVID-19 booster vaccine, but these reactions were mostly mild and went away quickly. The findings of this study are similar to safety data from clinical trials that did not find any safety concerns with giving both vaccines at the same time.

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

To make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, CDC expanded and strengthened the country’s ability to monitor vaccine safety. CDC created new web-based platforms to gather information and give CDC scientists information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in real time.

As a result, vaccine safety experts can monitor and detect issues that may not have been seen during the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. If any vaccine safety issues—also called adverse events— are reported, CDC scientists can quickly study them and determine if there is a safety concern with a particular vaccine.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

The most recent Omicron sublineage, XBB.1.5, is on the rise across the United States. Projections can be uncertain when a variant is just beginning to spread, and CDC is continuing to investigate the ways in which XBB.1.5 may be different from other Omicron lineages.

This week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review explains weighted estimates and Nowcast estimates, the two methods CDC uses to display variant proportions.

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

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Finding an Updated Bivalent COVID-19 Booster

CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was:

• Their final primary series dose, or
• An original (monovalent) booster

People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster.

To find an updated bivalent booster:

• Search https://www.vaccines.gov/
• Text your zip code to 438829
• Call 1-800-232-0233

What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19

After being exposed to COVID-19, start precautions immediately and continue for 10 full days:

• Wear a mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public
• Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19
• Watch for symptoms. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested
• Get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure (even if you don’t develop symptoms)

If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10
If you test positive, isolate immediately

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

On November 16, CDC released a report that examines recent and overall trends in COVID-19-related mortality among adults in the United States.

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

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CDC Expands Updated COVID-19 Vaccines to Include Children Ages 5 Through 11

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters

Updated (bivalent) boosters are available. CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group:

• Children and teens ages 6 months–17 years
• Adults ages 18 years and older

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.

If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary dose or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or, if you had no symptoms, when you first received a positive test.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know

When you get tested for COVID-19:

• Make sure to test at the right time
• Choose the right type of test for your circumstance
• Follow test directions as recommended by FDA to be sure your test results are correct

Learn where testing locations are located in your community: Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 | HHS.gov

If you test positive, Contact your healthcare provider, health department, or Community Health Center to learn about treatment options. If you don’t have timely access to a healthcare provider, check if a Test to Treat location is in your community.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

“Outside is safer” is always a good rule for pandemic holidays, and that’s easy to do while trick-or-treating on Halloween. 

See this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review for strategies to take care of yourself and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

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People Who Are Immunocompromised

COVID-19 Vaccines for People who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Children 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccines are safe and the best defense against severe COVID-19.

Parents can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children in this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review: http://bit.ly/CDTweeklyreview

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

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People with Certain Medical Conditions

CDC has updated the list of certain medical conditions that put people at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 to include additional disabilities, primary immunodeficiency, and physical inactivity.

CDC determines the level of risk of severe COVID-19 based on available information, such as published reports, scientific articles, and data from rigorous CDC-led investigations.

This list may not include every underlying medical condition that might increase a person’s risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. This list will be updated as CDC learns more about other medical conditions.

A person with a condition that is not listed may still be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and should talk with their healthcare professional about how best to manage their condition and protect themself from COVID-19.

v-safe After Vaccination Health Checker

v-safe provides personalized and confidential health check-ins via text messages and web surveys so you can quickly and easily share with CDC how you, or your dependent, feel after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. This information helps CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in near real time.

You can enroll in v-safe after any dose of COVID-19 vaccine by using your smartphone and going to vsafe.cdc.gov. Have your vaccination record card available to help you remember which vaccine you received and when. 

You can add any dependent (family member, friend, or individual who relies on you for support) who is vaccinated in v-safe. 

v safe is available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.  

During the first week after each vaccination, v-safe will send you a text message each day to ask how you are feeling. After that, you will receive occasional health check-ins. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to get more information. Your personal information in v-safe is protected so it’s safe and private. You can opt out at any time.

If you have symptoms or health problems that concern you at any time following COVID-19 vaccination, please contact your healthcare professional.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for children and adolescents. More than 140,000 children in the United States have lost parents and caregivers to COVID-19.

In addition, children and adolescents have experienced an increase in certain types of injuries, some chronic diseases, and behavioral health conditions. CDC has resources to help children cope. 

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

February 22, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 78,389,155 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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Don’t Delay. Test Soon and Treat Early

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have one or more health conditions that increase your risk of becoming very sick, treatment may be available.

Contact a health professional right away after a positive test to determine if you may be eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

Treatments used for COVID-19 should be prescribed by your healthcare provider. People have been seriously harmed and even died after taking products not approved for use to treat or prevent COVID-19, even products approved or prescribed for other uses. Talk to your healthcare provider about what option may be best for you.

Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster Shot

If you’re 18 years and older, you can choose which COVID-19 booster you get. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19) vaccines are preferred, although Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

At this time, people ages 12–17 years only can only get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, so they may only get the Pfizer booster.

Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose.

If you need help scheduling your booster shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster shot in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.

Self-Testing Videos

Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms. They give your result in a few minutes and are different from laboratory-based tests that may take days to return your result.

Self-tests can be ordered online at COVIDtests.gov. Placing an order only requires your name and residential address. You may also share your email address to get updates on your order. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required.

Learn more about Self-Testing at home or anywhere.

Visit FDA’s website for a complete list of authorized tests.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Omicron remains the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for more than 99% of cases. Severe outcomes, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths, from Omicron appear lower than during previous periods of high COVID-19 spread. This is due, in part, to COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. However, millions of eligible people have yet to get their booster. 

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

February 14, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 77,592,982 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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Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know

CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron.

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant.

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19 and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. This includes primary series, booster shots and additional doses for those who need them.

Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Some, but not all, monoclonal antibody treatments remain effective against Omicron. Public health agencies work with healthcare providers to ensure that effective treatments are used appropriately to treat patients.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

As of February 2, 2022, more than 88 million people across the United States have received a COVID-19 booster dose. However, 50% of people eligible for a booster dose have yet to get theirs.

Everyone ages 5 years and older is eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 12 years and older is eligible for a free COVID-19 booster shot. Get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination today to help protect you and those you love.

If you need help scheduling your booster shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster shot in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

Wastewater (sewage) surveillance is an important tool for tracking the spread of diseases, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Many people with COVID-19 shed the virus in their feces, so studying wastewater can help us find COVID-19 in communities.

Learn more about what wastewater surveillance can tell us about COVID-19 in this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly.

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

February 7, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 76,415,622 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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Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 rapid antigen tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. These tests give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required).

COVID-19 self-tests (also referred to as home tests or over-the-counter tests) are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.

Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. You can use self-tests, regardless of vaccination status, or whether or not you have symptoms.

Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions for performing the test.

Caring for Someone Sick at Home

Learn what to do when someone has symptoms of COVID-19 or when someone has been diagnosed with the virus. For most people, symptoms last a few days, and people usually feel better after a week.

Make sure the person who is sick drinks a lot of fluids and rests.

Use CDC’s self-checker tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.

Look for emergency warning signs and if someone shows these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

The person who is sick should wear a mask when they are around other people. Caregivers should wear a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room.

Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs and reduce their spread.

Wash your hands often.

Caregivers should stay home and monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms while caring for the person who is sick.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from getting COVID-19.

Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.

Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.

Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.

Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted clinical trials with thousands of children and no serious safety concerns were identified. Learn more about the process of developing, authorizing, and approving COVID-19 vaccines.

Teens ages 12 to 17 should receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot at least 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary series. Currently, a booster shot is not recommended for children younger than 12.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

As of January 20, 2022, 209 million people have received their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 82 million people have also gotten their booster. Getting vaccinated, including get boosted when eligible, is our best defense against severe outcomes from COVID-19. Wearing a well-fitting mask is also important to protect yourself and others. 

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

January 24, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 70,641,725 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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Types of Masks and Respirators

Wearing a mask that fits well, is most protective, and that you will wear consistently is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19.

Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others. It is most important to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection.

Properly fitted respirators provide the highest level of protection and may be most important for certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease.

CDC’s mask recommendations provide information that people can use to improve how well their masks protect them.

Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools

Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction continues to be a priority. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all* students (ages 2 years and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

New CDC guidance has reduced the recommended time for isolation and quarantine periods to five days. For details see CDC’s page on Quarantine and Isolation.

CDC also recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk.

Screening testing, improved ventilation, handwashing, cleaning and disinfection, and staying home when sick are important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

How to Talk to Your Close Contacts

It’s important for you to tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 so they can quarantine, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask.

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than 6 feet away from you for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Someone is still considered a close contact even if they were wearing a mask while they were around you.

If they are infected, they could spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before they have any symptoms or test positive. People who are infected but do not show symptoms and those who do not yet have symptoms can spread the virus to others.

Recommendations for close contacts vary depending on whether they are up to date with their COVID vaccinations or had confirmed COVID-19 within the 90 days prior to close contact.

By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect them and everyone around them.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise across the United States, including among children and adolescents. The highest hospitalization rates among all children are in those ages 4 years and younger, who are not yet eligible for vaccination. Parents, guardians, and people who care for and are around young children can protect them by wearing well-fitting masks and getting vaccinated and boosted.

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

January 18, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 66,715,937 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.