COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Community 

By rolling up your sleeve to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, you are doing your part to improve public health and to help your community return to a sense of normalcy. Remember, getting the COVID-19 vaccine not only protects you, but also the people you care about, including your family and friends. 
When you choose to vaccinate, you’ll be joining a population of more than 1.9 million fellow Service members, family members, retirees, and other DoD personnel who now enjoy life with a lower risk of getting sick. 

How does it work? 

The COVID-19 vaccine, like any vaccine, builds an immune response that protects your health. All three vaccines approved by the FDA, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) were developed to prevent infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. 

The COVID-19 vaccines: 

• Don't contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. You can't get COVID-19 from these vaccines.
• Don't affect or interact with our DNA in any way.

It’s Safe and Effective 

The clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines were five times larger than normal drug testing standards, and the mRNA and viral vector technologies used to develop the vaccine have been studied since the 1990s and 1970s. 

mRNA Vaccines 

Unlike many vaccines that put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies, mRNA vaccines teach cells how to make a harmless “spike” protein, which is also found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19, that triggers an immune response inside bodies. 

Viral Vector Vaccines 

Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to enter a cell in our body and then use the cell’s machinery to produce a harmless spike protein like the one found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This triggers the immune system to begin producing antibodies and activating other immune cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. 
Both types of vaccines are safe and effective to protect you from severe illness or even death that may occur as result of contracting COVID-19. 

Getting Your Vaccine is Easy 

Why wait to vaccinate when it’s fast and free! TRICARE beneficiaries are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost at multiple convenient locations. 

Not sure where to go to get your vaccine? 

• DOD Vaccine Sites (over 369 sites available)
• State and Local Vaccine Sites
• Retail Pharmacies

Still have questions? 

Consult your trusted health care provider for more answers on the safety and efficacy of vaccination.