COVID-19 Vaccine Access

Background is an image of small bottles labeled VACCINE." There are three bottles visible in a row. On top of the image is a white rectangle with black text that reads: "Why & How to Get YOUR COVID-19 Vaccine." Under the text is an orange rectangle with white text that reads "LEARN MORE" with a small icon of a computer mouse.

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Every Kansan age 6 months and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Having everyone get a COVID-19 vaccine is needed to have all our lives get back to normal. Having everyone get the vaccine will help us be able to do the things we used to do safely again.

Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Getting a vaccine will protect you from COVID-19. This means it will stop you from getting sick or dying from the virus. It will also protect the people around you by slowing the spread of the virus. It will help us all go back to doing the things we enjoy.


Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

All of the information in this brochure comes from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other trusted federal government sources. According to the CDC, doctors, and scientists, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Some people get side effects on the arm where they got the shot or in the rest of their body. This is normal. It means that the vaccine is working. It means that your body is doing its job to protect you from COVID-19.

There are a lot of rumors about the vaccines on social media and other places. It is great to stay educated about the vaccines, but make sure you use credible sources. Kansas has a website to help you know what is true and what is not.

KDHE’s webpage with vaccine information from trusted and reliable sources, such as the CDC.
https://tinyurl.com/axxr54vb


Am I eligible to get a vaccine? How do I get the vaccine?

Children 6 months and older are able to get an age-appropriate dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, as of June 17, 2022. All three US COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and J&J /Janssen, are approved for adults ages 18 and older.

One way to get a vaccine is by using the CDC’s VaccineFinder tool. This will help you find vaccine providers near you and will tell you how to contact them to get an appointment. Not all locations in Kansas are on this tool yet.

You can also call your local health department to find out
how to get a vaccine in your county. You can also check their
Facebook page or website.

You can find your local health department’s contact information HERE.

Do I have to pay for the vaccine?

The actual COVID-19 vaccine is free. However, a vaccination site might charge an administration fee to you or to your insurance. Most sites are NOT charging this fee to individuals. If you can’t afford this cost or if you don’t have insurance, you cannot be denied the vaccine. They must give you the vaccine even if you can’t pay the fee.

If you are turned away from getting a vaccine because you can’t pay even though you’re eligible, contact KDHE at 866-534-3463 or covid-19@ks.gov. Another option you have is filing a complaint with Kansas Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Division at https://insurance.kansas.gov/complaint/. You can also contact them at 800-432-2484 or kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov. Contact the Disability Rights Center if you need assistance with this.

What if I need help accessing a vaccination site?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that people are granted reasonable accommodations to be able to access public facilities and services. COVID-19 vaccination sites count as a public facility or service. This means that they need to be accessible to all people with disabilities.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to get the vaccine, the place where you get your vaccine should do this for you within reason. This could mean that they provide you information in the way that you communicate. It could also mean that they make a change to the physical location to make the site more accessible. If you or someone you know is having trouble accessing the COVID-19 vaccine, or has questions about their rights as a person with a disability, please contact the Disability Rights Center of Kansas at (877)-776-1541.

What if I need a ride to my vaccination site?

Every county has different options. Contact your local county health department to see what your options are. You can find your local health department’s contact information here.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or need help signing up for an appointment or accessing the vaccine, contact the Disability Rights Center of Kansas at 1-877-776-1541 or info@ drckansas.org.

COVID-19 Vaccine Access