From day one, Pennsylvania deemed agriculture and the entire food supply chain as essential. We've always known it, but now the world saw it too.
People need to eat, so you continued farming, planting, growing, harvesting, caring for livestock. Your work ensures a safe and abundant food supply for Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world.
Your dedication over the past year came with risk, and now there is an opportunity to eliminate that risk and strengthen the resiliency of this industry as we look to end the pandemic.
What's Your "Why"?
Not only does vaccination eliminate risk for essential industries and provide security for those who rely on it, but people who are vaccinated can start to do some things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
2020 was a year of less – less gatherings with family and friends, less fairs and festivals, less opportunity to gather and network, less opportunity for hands-on agriculture education, less confidence in the norm.
Lets get back to MORE.
Once it's been two weeks since your second dose in a 2-dose series, Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks since your single dose shot, Johnson & Johnson, you're considered fully protected. While you should continue taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds or poorly ventilated spaces, you can still do more than before.
Those who are fully vaccinated can:
- Gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask;
- Gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks;
- If you've been exposed, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
You can do more hugging of your grandparents or grandkids. See more friends.
And the more people get vaccinated, the more we can get back to normal.
The safety of us all, is connected to the choices made by one.
Protect your herd – your family, your friends, your coworkers, your neighbors.
The Vaccine
Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson are available to those interested in vaccination. When you get the COVID-19 vaccine as an essential worker, you protect yourself, your family, your co-workers, and your community. By protecting your health with the vaccine, you're protecting the availability and accessibility of food.
We encourage you to make educated decisions for yourself when it comes to vaccination. Read about the safety of the three vaccines currently authorized to prevent COVID-19 and their side effects.
Stopping a pandemic requires using all of the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Vaccination is the best chance we have for a return to normal and the things we love.
Did you already have COVID-19? Getting the virus may offer some natural protection. But, experts are still learning about COVID-19 and don't know how long this natural immunity lasts. The COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for those who have already have COVID-19, it will protect you by creating an antibody response without risk of severe illness and death like the natural immunity resulting from contracting COVID-19.
If you're interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine, it can be covered by insurance. If you don't have insurance, you can still get the vaccine at no charge.
All Pennsylvania Adults Are Eligible
As of April 13, 2021, all Pennsylvanians 16 and older are eligible to schedule for a COVID-19 vaccine. If you've made the decision to get vaccinated, find an approved provider on this map and schedule an appointment!