COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an illness caused by a virus. This virus is a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become very sick. You can protect yourself by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines might help keep you from getting sick from COVID-19. And if you do get sick, the vaccines can reduce your risk for: • Needing to go to urgent care or the emergency room • Getting severe illness • Being hospitalized • Dying • Getting long COVID It's important to stay up to date with the COVID-19 vaccines. Contact your health care provider if you don't know when you need another vaccine or if you have other questions about the vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention