Our priority is to protect our Service members, Department of Defense (DOD) civilians and families to safeguard national security capabilities and support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The DOD has an independent but collaborative program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to provide COVID-19 vaccines to DOD uniformed service members. This includes active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, family members, civilian employees and selected DOD contract personnel.
All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, as available, at a DOD vaccination site.
The vaccine itself is offered at no cost, but there may be a cost based on your plan for an office visit or if you require follow-on care. Wherever you eventually receive your vaccination, please remember you'll need to check availability before showing up. To find out more, please visit www.tricare.mil/COVIDVaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines currently available to all U.S. citizens and residents are Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech-COMIRNATY®, and Moderna. These vaccines are safe and effective against COVID-19 and its variants.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed the Pfizer COMIRNATY® vaccine for individuals age 16 and older. (2 doses)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is offered through an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children ages 12-15. (2 doses)
- The Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines are offered through an FDA EUA for individuals age 18 and older. (1 dose)
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Additional Dose for Immunocompromised
If you have certain immunocompromising conditions, such as undergoing cancer treatment or taking medications which suppress your immune system, CDC recommends you get an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine at least 28 days after your second dose of an mRNA vaccine. >>Learn More
Booster Dose (Pfizer Only)
A COVID-19 Pfizer booster shot is available for people who completed their primary Pfizer vaccine series at least 6 months ago AND meet at least one of the following criteria:
- 65 years of age and older and residents in long term care facilities should receive a booster dose
- 50-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster dose
- 18-49 years of age with underlying medical conditions
- 18-64 years of age who live or work in a high-risk setting
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1:
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe?
A:
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines being used in the U.S. have met the FDA's rigorous health standards for safety and effectiveness and have been rigorously tested amongst all populations. Millions of Americans have already received the COVID-19 vaccines without experiencing any serious side effects, and all COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be intensely monitored for safety.
Q2:
Where can I get the vaccine?
A:
You can get the vaccine anywhere its available. All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, as available, at a DOD vaccination site. The availability of the vaccine may vary by location. To find a vaccine location near you, visit www.tricare.mil/VaccineAppointments.
If you get the vaccine from a non-DOD provider, please remember to update your medical record.
Q3:
How long will protection last following vaccination?
A:
We don’t know how long protection will last following vaccination but it will be critically important to measure long-term protection (at least two years) in the phase 3 trials and in other groups prioritized for early vaccination. We are still learning about the duration of protection following infection with COVID-19 and it is too early to tell how long protection will last.
Q4:
Can someone get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
A:
No, it’s not possible to get COVID-19 from vaccines. Vaccines against COVID-19 use inactivated virus, parts of the virus, or a gene from the virus. None of these can cause COVID-19.
Q7:
I am worried these vaccines were developed too fast. Were corners cut?
A:
More than twenty years of research and study led to the development of our safe and highly effective vaccines that are already protecting millions of people deadly COVID-19 virus that has claimed the lives of nearly 600,000 Americans. Tens of thousands of volunteers participated in clinical trials that enabled rapid accumulation of data on safety and effectiveness. This is more participants than any vaccine trial before.
Q8:
Are there side effects
A:
Side effects such as chills or tiredness may affect your ability to do daily activities, and will go away in a few days. These side effects after vaccination are normal as they are signs that your body is building protection.
Q10:
What is an Emergency Use Authorization?
A:
Drugs and vaccines have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that only safe and effective products are available to the American public. During public health emergencies, when there is good scientific reason to believe that a product is safe and is likely to treat or prevent disease, the FDA may authorize its use through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), even if definitive proof of the effectiveness of the drug or vaccine is not known.
FDA pre-licensure approval is considered for treatment or prevention of diseases that are very serious.
Q11:
What kind of information will be available to me before I receive the vaccine?
A:
Each potential recipient of COVID-19 vaccine will receive a vaccine-specific Fact Sheet for Recipients from the FDA, which will provide the following information:
- Basic information on COVID-19, symptoms, and what to discuss with a health care provider before vaccination
- Who should and should not receive the vaccine
- That recipients have the choice to receive the vaccine
- Dosage and vaccine series information
- Risks and benefits of the vaccine
- If offered under an EUA, an explanation of what an EUA is and why it is issued
- Any approved available alternatives for preventing COVID-19
- Additional resources
Q12:
How will I be able to keep track of what vaccine I got and when I need to get a second dose?
A:
All vaccine recipients will be provided a copy of the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card after receipt of the vaccine. It is recommended that the second-dose appointment be made at the time of initial vaccinations, or instructions provided on procedures for second dose follow-up. If a vaccine recipient has a smartphone, it is recommended that they take a photo of the vaccination record card as a back-up copy and set a calendar reminder for receipt of the second dose.
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Video
8/16/2021
‘Got Your 6’ is TRICARE’s COVID vaccine video series that delivers important information and updates, on days that end in ‘6.’ It includes the latest information about DOD vaccine distribution, the TRICARE health benefit, and vaccine availability. Got a question about ‘Got Your 6’? Send an email to dha.ncr.comm.mbx.dha-internal-communications@mail.mil
Find your local military provider at tricare.mil/MTF, or go to tricare.mil/vaccineappointments and schedule yours today!
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COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit | Coronavirus | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine
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