En español | Who can get vaccinated now?

• Delawareans 16 and older

Where can I get vaccinated?  

• State-run vaccination events. To request an appointment, use Delaware’s online vaccine registration system or call 833-643-1715.
  
  
• Select pharmacies, including CVS, Giant, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart locations. Check the "Pharmacies" section of the state's vaccine website for a full list of stores and information on making appointments. You’ll need to create an account with your name and email to get a vaccine through Walmart.
  
  
• Hospitals and other medical providers for people ages 16 to 64 with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19. Some providers may reach out to their patients about vaccination; if you do not hear from yours, contact them to see if they are offering shots.
  
  
• Veterans Affairs facilities are vaccinating veterans, spouses and veteran caregivers. Those enrolled in the VA health care system get priority; additional appointments will go to others who are eligible based on their age, health problems and other factors that increase their COVID-19 risk. Sign up with VA to get updates on vaccine availability and to be notified when you can make an appointment.
  
  
• Vaccine supplies remain limited in many areas. Most vaccine sites require you to schedule an appointment online or by phone. Appointments can be hard to get, as available time slots may be booked quickly, and you might be put on a waiting list. You can sign up at multiple sites to increase your chances of getting an appointment, but once you have confirmed a slot at one site, public health officials ask that you don’t schedule with any other provider so that those slots stay open for others. 

For more information, check Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccine site or call the state’s vaccine call center at 833-643-1715. You can also email vaccine@delaware.gov with questions.

AARP recommends that you talk to your doctor about the safety, effectiveness, benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccine. Older adults, especially those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, are at increased risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

What should I bring to my vaccination appointment?

Some vaccination sites ask for proof of identity or eligibility. Officials recommend that you bring a driver’s license or other state-issued ID that shows your name, age and state residency, and your health insurance card if you have one. You will not be charged, but the vaccine provider may bill your insurer a fee for administering the vaccine.

If you are prioritized because of an underlying medical condition or based on your work, you may need a note from your doctor, a pay stub or badge, or some other form of proof. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says to wear a mask at your appointment. 

How are nursing home residents and others in long-term care being vaccinated?  

Most residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Delaware are being vaccinated through a federal program that contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer COVID-19 vaccines at free on-site clinics. Apart from a very small number of outstanding clinics, the program is complete.

To ensure long-term care facilities still have access to COVID-19 vaccines — for new residents or staff, or for residents and staff who were initially hesitant to receive the shots — the federal government is continuing to allocate vaccines to pharmacies partnered with long-term care facilities.

Which vaccines require a second shot?

The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. If you get one of these vaccines, you’ll need a follow-up dose to be effectively immunized. It’s not yet known how long immunity from a coronavirus vaccine lasts and whether it needs to be administered on a regular basis like a flu shot. 

The recommended second-shot date is three weeks after a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and four weeks for Moderna’s, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says an interval of up to 42 days is acceptable. Delaware has ordered vaccination providers to give second doses to people who got their first shot from them, if requested, and to prioritize second shots over offering a first dose to an unvaccinated person if they don’t have enough supply to do both.

When you get your first dose you should receive a card noting the date and vaccine type — keep it as a record and a reminder of when to get the booster shot. The state’s coronavirus website has a detailed page on obtaining your second dose.

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine requires just one shot.

Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for people 16 and older, while the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older.

It’s not yet known how long immunity from a coronavirus vaccine lasts and whether it needs to be administered on a regular basis like a flu shot. Visit the CDC's COVID-19 vaccines page for more information.

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.

What should I do with my vaccine card?

You should get a small white card at your vaccination appointment with your name, birth date, name of the vaccine you received and the date it was administered. If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, bring your card when you get your second shot.

You may need your vaccine card for certain kinds of travel or other activities, so keep it in a safe place. You can take a photo of it with your smartphone for your own records. Experts say that posting a photo of your card to social media could make you vulnerable to identity theft. If you lose your card or did not receive one, contact your vaccine provider or your local health department to get a copy.

Should I still wear a mask after getting vaccinated?

Yes. Experts are still learning about how vaccines affect the spread of COVID-19, so the CDC still recommends taking precautions while in public — including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Scientists are also studying the effectiveness of the vaccines against new, more contagious strains of the coronavirus.

It takes two weeks to build immunity after the single-dose shot and the second dose of the two-dose shots. After that, fully vaccinated individuals can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, the CDC says. They can also gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks, unless any of them are at a high risk for severe COVID-19.

This guide, published Dec. 21, was updated April 8 with new information on vaccination at long-term care facilities.

Also of Interest

• How do the authorized COVID-19 vaccines compare? 
• 8 things to know before getting your second dose 
• Read AARP's full coronavirus coverage