COVID-19 Vaccines
Why do people need a COVID-19 vaccine?
Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus may decrease over time, and less able to protect against new variants. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.
What does it cost?
The updated COVID-19 vaccine is free for most people through private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department will provide updated COVID-19 vaccine solely to adults and children who are uninsured or underinsured. This change is based on the federal government transitioning its COVID-19 vaccination program to more traditional healthcare coverage.
Where can I get my booster?
You can find off-campus locations that offer the vaccine by searching vaccines.gov.
Do I have to get the same vaccine as my original type?
The University Health Center Pharmacy carries the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. You do not have to get the same brand of vaccine as your original or boosters.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines by visiting the CDC website.
Common Questions
Why do we need COVID-19 vaccines?
COVID-19 infections can be a minor inconvenience, or they can lead to severe disease and death. Social distancing, handwashing and wearing your mask certainly help. However, the best way to stop this virus is to generate COVID-19-specific immunity within our community.
We can achieve this immunity in one of two ways: through illness (natural herd immunity) or through vaccination. Since illness can lead to severe disease or death, a safe and effective vaccine is a much better alternative.
Use this calculator to assess your own COVID-19 mortality risk.
COVID Vaccine Q&A
If I've already had COVID-19, why should I get the vaccine?
Are the vaccines safe and effective?
If I am young and healthy, why should I get the vaccine?
If vaccines don't stop every case of COVID-19, what's the point?
Are the vaccines safe even though they don't have full FDA approval?
Why are masks still important for unvaccinated people?
What do we know about long-term side effects of the vaccine?
Is Myocarditis a possible side effect of the vaccine?
Vaccine Education
Safety Information
Learn about the vaccine's ingredients, emergency use authorization and special considerations for different populations.
Side Effects
Understand the side effects for each of the vaccines and learn about potential allergic reactions.
You Asked, We Answered
- Are Pfizer's Comirnaty and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines the same or different?
- Can I still spread COVID-19 after vaccination?
- Do I need the vaccine after getting COVID-19?
- Does it matter when I get the second dose?
- What if I get COVID-19 after my first vaccine shot?
- Should immunocompromised people get a COVID-19 vaccine?
- Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain aborted fetal cells?
- Can mRNA vaccines alter human DNA?
- Can mRNA vaccines cause infertility?
More From Our Experts
- Natural immunity versus vaccination
- I'm a local ICU doctor. Please take precautions, COVID-19 is going to hit our hospitals hard
- Here’s how the COVID-19 vaccines were developed so fast
- Delta variant of concern: How protected are you?
- Novavax vaccine results: How effective is it against variants?
- Myocarditis after vaccination: what to watch for
- COVID-19 vaccines and the myth of young, healthy adults
- What COVID-19 vaccine side effects do and don't mean
- COVID-19 vaccines, irregular periods and spike protein shedding
- You're fully vaccinated. Now what?