We came across this article in the Boston Globe that answers some common questions that many of us have about the Coronavirus vaccine

The below is a direct cut and paste of excepts from the article.

For the full article, please click here.

CORONAVIRUS

Questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

About 44.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered to states and agencies throughout the country, marking a turning point in the deadly pandemic that has killed more than 425,000 Americans.

Dr. Christian Arbelaez receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Rhode Island Hospital on Dec. 14, 2020. SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF

Note: Answers from public health officials and other experts.

Q: My vaccine appointment is coming up, but I think I have COVID-19. Should I keep my appointment?

A: DON’T

Call your provider to notify them and get tested. If you test positive, reschedule your vaccine appointment.

Q: I’ve already had COVID-19. Do I need to get vaccinated?

A: DO

Even if you have recovered from COVID-19, you will still need to get the vaccine. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends waiting 90 days after infection before receiving the vaccine.

Q: How will I know when it’s my turn to get the vaccine? Should I check online or keep an eye on the media?

A: DO

In Massachusetts, residents 75 years and older are the first priority group in Phase II and will be eligible to begin receiving the vaccine as early as Monday. Appointments can be made online, though availability is limited, and it could take several weeks to lock down an appointment, according to Massachusetts health officials.

Q: I can’t afford health insurance. Can I still get the vaccine?

A: DO

According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine will be free for everyone, at least for now. While those who administer the vaccine may charge health insurance companies, they cannot charge the person being vaccinated. There will be no cost or co-pay, either. And those without health insurance will be able to receive the vaccine at no cost.

Q: I missed my appointment for my second shot. Can I skip it?

A: DON’T

The vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna require two shots in order for you to have maximum protection. Receiving only one shot means you’ll still have a 50 percent chance of contracting COVID-19.

Q: Should I get a COVID-19 test before getting the vaccine?

A: DON’T

You do not need to get tested for COVID-19 prior to receiving the vaccine.

Q: I’ve been isolating, working from home, and following all COVID protocols. Can I just wait for everyone else to get vaccinated?

A: DON’T

By not getting the vaccine, you risk catching COVID-19.

Q: I’ve been fully vaccinated. Can I stop wearing a mask?

A: DON’T

there have not been many studies on whether people who have been vaccinated can still get infected with COVID-19. That means it could be possible for a fully vaccinated person to not have symptoms but still infect other people. Wearing a mask minimizes the chances of you getting infected or infecting others, even after you’ve been vaccinated.

Q: Should I get this vaccine, even though there are new variants of the virus spreading from the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, and California?

A: DO

Both Pfizer and Moderna have said their vaccines are effective against the new strains.

Q: I’ve been fully vaccinated, but I’m a close contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Should I still quarantine?

A: DO

We still don’t know the degree of immunity people have after receiving a vaccine, so you should still follow quarantine requirements.

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Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexagagosz.