Coronavirus Alert: COVID-19 Vaccine
Safety Is a Top Priority
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and more on the CDC's website here.
I’m a OneShare Member, am I Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Each state has its own plan for deciding who and which groups will be vaccinated first. Please contact your state health department for more information on its plan for COVID-19 vaccination.
The administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is Eligible for Sharing for current Primary and Dependent Members of the Classic and Complete Programs under Preventive Services Guidelines.
The administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is Not Eligible for Sharing for Members of the OneShare Health Catastrophic Program as the Guidelines do not share in Preventive Services.
What to Expect After Getting a Vaccine for COVID-19
According to the CDC, you should keep in mind that, after getting a COVID-19 vaccination, it will take a few weeks for your body to build immunity. As a result, the CDC says it’s possible that you could become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or after being vaccinated.
What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
According to the CDC, a vaccine for COVID-19 can cause mild side effects after the first or second dose, including:
- Pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling unwell
- Swollen lymph nodes
After getting a vaccination for COVID-19, your medical professional may decide to monitor you to see if you have an immediate reaction. According to the CDC, most side effects happen within the first three days after vaccination and typically last only one to two days.
They also state that, if you are exposed to COVID-19 and you start showing symptoms more than three days after getting vaccinated or the symptoms last more than two days, it’s important to get tested and self-isolate.
If you experience side effects or symptoms of COVID-19, please consult with your medical professional on what next-steps are necessary for you to take.
Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?
According to the CDC’s website, none of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.
These vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms such as fever, but this is normal and a way of knowing that your body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.
However, if the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection, the CDC tells us it’s possible you could be infected with COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine by referring to the CDC's website here.
Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
Delta is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the United States. Below is a high-level summary of what CDC scientists have recently learned about the Delta variant. More information will be made available when more data are published or released in other formats.
- The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of SARS-CoV-2
- The Delta variant is more contagious than previous strains--it may cause more than two times as many infections. Vaccines protect you.
- The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
- Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.
- Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern: Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, and therefore transmit the virus.
- Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period: Previous variants typically produced less virus in the body of infected fully vaccinated people (breakthrough infections) than in unvaccinated people. In contrast, the Delta variant seems to produce the same high amount of virus in both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. However, like other variants, the amount of virus produced by Delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down faster than infections in unvaccinated people. This means fully vaccinated people are likely infectious for less time than unvaccinated people.
What is the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. This occurred with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, and now with the virus that causes COVID-19.
How does it spread?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in many affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
Remember, COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses.
What are the symptoms?
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
This page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date.
Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or
other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19?
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two.
While more is learned every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it. This page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date.
When using any type of transportation, follow these general principles:
Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
- Before you leave, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Once you reach your destination, wash your hands again with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as soon as possible upon arrival.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Practice social distancing.
- Try to keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) from people who are not in your household — for example, when you are waiting at a bus station or selecting seats on a train.
Wear cloth face coverings.
- Wear a cloth face covering when physical distancing is difficult.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Note: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
- Babies and children younger than 2 years old
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious
- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance
Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
I'm a Member, What Should I Do if I am Ill?
If you or an enrolled family member are feeling ill and are experiencing non-emergency symptoms, we encourage you to call the Smart Virtual Care (Telemedicine) number provided on your ID card or in your Membership Guide. Allow them to put your mind at ease and guide you back to health as quickly as possible.
All of our Members have access to Smart Virtual Care (Telemedicine), with a 100% Shared Consult Fee. You can talk with a physician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
