Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Protect your community.

With the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 or older, there’s never been a better time to get vaccinated.

Full FDA approval means the public can be confident that the Pfizer vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product. COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.

Unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever.

All West Virginians 12 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those 65 years of age and older will continue to be prioritized. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 Vaccine website offers more information about free vaccination clinics being hosted across the state, as well as ways to find vaccines at local pharmacies.

Visit West Virginia's COVID-19 site for additional information about vaccinations and testing locations.

Common Questions About the Vaccine

With increasing hospitalizations across the state due to COVID-19, three WVU experts answer common questions about the safety of the vaccine and how to best protect yourself and others.

Public Health and Safety

Here's how to protect yourself and others.

Get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. Vaccination prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.

Watch the “Three Cs” — close, continuous contact with others; crowds; and, close spaces.

Maintaining physical distance of 6 feet can reduce transmission of the virus.

Wear a mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose.

Dr. Kathy Moffett explains why it’s important to wear your mask or face covering and how to properly put them on.

The spread of COVID-19 can be controlled when 80% of a population wears face coverings and face masks properly.

Keep your environment and your hands clean.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer when touching public surfaces. Humming the chorus of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is an easy way to estimate.

  • Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes, which can introduce the virus.
  • Cover your face when sneezing or coughing (even when wearing a mask).
  • Limit touching shared surfaces to reduce the spread of the virus.

Podcast

WVU and the Coronavirus

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Information from Spring 2020

All information listed below is relevant to the 2020 Spring Semester.