Frequently Asked Questions
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General
Who is Moderna?
Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Moderna is pioneering a class of medicines and vaccines based on messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA carries the instructions for the cells of the body to make proteins, and this affects many aspects of our biology, including health and disease.
If you would like to learn more about Moderna, you can visit https://www.modernatx.com/about-us.
What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and why was it granted?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine available under an emergency access mechanism called an EUA. The EUA is supported by a Secretary of Health and Human Services declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has not undergone the same type of review as an FDA-approved or cleared product. FDA may issue an EUA when certain criteria are met, which includes that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. In addition, the FDA decision is based on the totality of the scientific evidence available showing that the product may be effective to prevent COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product. All of these criteria must be met to allow for the product to be used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EUA for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying emergency use of these products, unless terminated or revoked (after which the products may no longer be used).
I have more questions. Where can I learn more?
If you have more questions, talk to your vaccination provider or your healthcare provider. You may also reach out to your state, territorial, tribal, or local health department, especially with questions about vaccine availability.
You can also find more information online at the following websites:
Availability
Who can get the vaccine now?
In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the United States Government has made recommendations on who can get vaccinated, and when. At first, our vaccine will only be available for people who are at a greater risk of exposure, or greater risk of severe illness. The plan allows more people to get the vaccine when more doses of vaccine become available.
Find out more about who can get the vaccine from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or by contacting your state, territorial, tribal or local health department.
Do I need a prescription to get vaccinated?
You generally will not need an individual prescription to get the vaccine. If you are interested in getting vaccinated, discuss with your healthcare provider. Please keep in mind that the initial supply of available vaccine will be limited. The US Government has made recommendations about which populations should be prioritized and the states are making the ultimate determination about who will receive the vaccine first.
Where can I get the vaccine?
The US Government has created a plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized under the Emergency Use Authorization.
Vaccines will only be available at a limited number of authorized vaccination locations. The number of locations may increase as more vaccine becomes available.
At this time, the most current information on the location of vaccine centers is available from your state, territorial, tribal, or local health authorities, or from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccine Cost
How much does it cost to be vaccinated?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine doses purchased with US taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers will be able to charge an administration fee for giving the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund. Contact your vaccination provider or healthcare provider if you have more questions.
Will my health insurance cover the vaccine?
According to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by US Congress in March 2020, any authorized vaccine for COVID-19 is considered a "preventive health service," which means that private health insurers must cover their entire cost, with no charge to the person receiving the vaccine. Vaccination with Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Can I get the vaccine if I don’t have insurance?
While the US Government is making the vaccine available at no cost, vaccination providers may charge a fee for giving the shot.
For uninsured patients, vaccination providers can seek reimbursement for their services from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
Please inquire with your vaccination provider.
Product & Production
Where is the vaccine made?
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine that is available in the United States is being produced by Moderna and by manufacturing partners, including Lonza and Catalent, at facilities located in the United States.
Get more information on Moderna's technology, manufacturing capability, and partnerships at Moderna's website.
What do we know about the vaccine safety?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine. In clinical trials, approximately 15,400 individuals 18 years of age and older have received at least 1 dose of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine.
Side effects that have been reported with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine include:
- Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness
- General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever
There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over your body
- Dizziness and weakness
These may not be all the possible side effects of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.
The FDA decision to authorize Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is based on the totality of the scientific evidence available showing that the product may be effective to prevent COVID-19 during the COVID‑19 pandemic and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.
Will the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine give me COVID‑19?
No. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine does not contain SARS‑CoV‑2 and cannot give you COVID‑19.
Does the vaccine contain preservatives, antibiotics or products from human or animal origin?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine contains no preservatives, no antibiotics, and no products from human or animal origin.
The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex.
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine contains the following ingredients: messenger RNA (mRNA), 4 fatty substances (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
My Vaccination
What side effects might I have from the vaccine?
Side effects that have been reported with the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine include:
- Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness
- General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever
There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over your body
- Dizziness and weakness
These may not be all the possible side effects of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.
What should I do if I experience side effects?
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9‑1‑1, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call your vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‑800‑822‑7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.
In addition, you can report side effects to Moderna at 1-866-MODERNA (1‑866‑663‑3762).
What should I tell my healthcare provider before I get the vaccine?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have any allergies.
- Have a fever
- Have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- Are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Have received another COVID‑19 vaccine
Will it still work if I only get 1 dose?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine vaccination series is 2 doses, given 1 month apart.
If you receive one dose of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine, you should receive a second dose of the same vaccine 1 month later to complete the vaccination series.
In an ongoing clinical trial, the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID‑19 following 2 doses given 1 month apart. The duration of protection against COVID‑19 is currently unknown.
How much time should there be between doses? What's the most and least amount of time?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine vaccination series is 2 doses given 1 month apart.
When you make your vaccination appointment, you should schedule 2 visits, 1 month apart, to get both doses in the series.
If it's not possible to make the appointments exactly 1 month apart, make the second appointment as close as possible to the day that is 4 weeks later.
If you can't make it to your second appointment, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Try to schedule a day that is as close as possible to 1 month after your first vaccine.
Can I get the vaccine if my immune system is compromised?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine may not work as well in people who are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects the immune system.
Do I still have to wear a mask and socially distance after the first vaccine? After the second vaccine?
Everyone, including persons who have received both doses of vaccine, should continue to follow CDC's recommendations on wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing.