AARP is providing seniors with lots of information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including where to find it in Kentucky and what to expect after you’ve received the vaccine.
Here are just a couple of example of questions and answers:
Who will be eligible to get vaccinated next?
All Kentuckians 16 and older are expected to become eligible for vaccination on April 12.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has broadened eligibility ahead of schedule, and Lexington residents 18 and older can now register for an appointment online.
AARP is fighting for older Americans to be prioritized in getting one of the COVID-19 vaccines because the science shows that older people are at higher risk of death from the coronavirus.
Do I have to pay for the vaccination?
You should not have any out-of-pocket cost for getting the vaccine. AARP fought to make sure the federal government is covering the cost of the vaccine itself.
Providers can recoup a fee for administering the shot, but not from consumers.
They would be reimbursed by the patient’s insurance company or the government (in the case of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured, for example).
Scammers are purporting to offer COVID vaccines and treatments and trying to charge for them. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is tracking the latest scams.
Should I still wear a mask after getting vaccinated?
Yes.
Experts still need to learn more about the protection the vaccines provide under “real-world conditions,” the CDC says.
It could take your body a few weeks to build up immunity after the second dose.
The vaccine is just one tool that can help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The CDC says it could take months for the population to build up immunity and continues to recommend preventive measures such as face masks and social distancing.
In addition, it’s not yet clear how effective the vaccines are against new, more contagious strains of the coronavirus initially identified in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil and elsewhere, although they would still provide some protection.
The story also includes a list of places offering vaccines and how to make an appointment.