Four Things to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best and safest ways to protect yourself and everyone around you. Learn how your Empire plan covers the vaccine and your vaccination, how health authorities are ensuring vaccine safety.

1. Empire members will receive the COVID-19 vaccination at no cost.

Empire will cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine. Empire members won't have out-of-pocket costs for the vaccination during this national public health emergency. This applies to all members, regardless of the type of health plan they have, or which doctor or healthcare professional they choose to visit for COVID-19 vaccination.

2. The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine.

The FDA granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine on August 19, 2021 for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine will continue to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and as a third dose in certain people who have compromised immune systems.

The FDA has authorized two additional vaccines, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.

Researchers have studied vaccine reactions and potential side effects throughout the large clinical trials used to authorize each of the three vaccines. The FDA, CDC, and vaccine manufacturers are continuously monitoring vaccine safety and quality. At this point, real-world data on more than 200 million* Americans and counting supports use of these vaccines.

3. As of May 10, 2021, everyone in the U.S. aged 12 years or older is eligible for the vaccine.

Visit vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccines near you. Learn how to prepare for your vaccination and what precautions to take post vaccination.

Empire will keep you updated. If you’d like to learn more about the vaccine, visit the CDC’s website.

Empire is committed to supporting you and your health. Stay up to date on the vaccine and its availability through the Sydney Health mobile app or by checking back here on our website.

4. The FDA has approved emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose, to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series including:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Adults 18+ with underlying medical conditions
• Adult 18+ who work and/or live-in high-risk setting

For more details, please visit the CDC's website.

_{Please visit the CDC's website for more information about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, including information about a very small number of reports involving a rare and severe type of blood clot in people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. No one has reported similar blood clotting events associated with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please talk to your doctor.}

_{*As of October 22, 2021}