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Be #VaccineReady During National Minority Health Month

Did you know racial and ethnic minority communities and American Indian and Alaska Native communities are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic? We can help these communities get vaccine ready this National Minority Health Month.

Every April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raises awareness about disparities in the healthcare provided to minorities. The theme for this year’s National Minority Health Month is #VaccineReady. It is urgent for people in these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help all of us get back to normal.

Find information about the vaccine

The HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the sources for the most complete and up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the vaccines:

Get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone 16 years of age and older is now eligible to be vaccinated. Here are some key things to know about the vaccine, from the CDC:

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
• You may have side effects after vaccination, but these are normal.
• It typically takes two weeks after you are fully vaccinated for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19.
• People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

Get vaccinated as soon as you can. Remember, the vaccine is free to everyone. If you are asked to pay for a vaccine or for an appointment, that is a scam. There are several ways you can look for vaccination providers near you:

• Visit VaccineFinder.org.
• Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
• Contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in the area.
• Check your local news outlets. They may have information on how to get a vaccination appointment.

Continue following COVID-19 safety measures. This includes wearing a mask, washing your hands, staying 6 feet apart from people outside your household, and avoiding crowds. Even after you’re vaccinated, the CDC has safety rules you must continue to follow. But once you’ve been fully vaccinated, you can:

• Gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart.
• Gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks or staying 6 feet apart, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Travel in the United States without getting tested before or after travel or self-quarantining after travel. Travel outside the U.S. is subject to U.S. advisories and the restrictions in the country you wish to visit.

Follow the HHS Office of Minority Health on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.