Everything you need to know about the new COVID-19 vaccines

The U.S. has approved a second COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna. The vaccine is very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. and Germany’s BioNTech that’s now being dispensed to millions of health care workers and nursing home residents as the biggest vaccination drive in U.S. history starts to ramp up.

A second vaccine represents a ray of hope amid despair as the virus continues to spread unabated even before holiday gatherings that are certain to further fuel the outbreak.

The scourge has claimed more than 312,000 U.S. lives and killed 1.7 million people worldwide. New cases in the U.S. are running at over 216,000 per day on average. Deaths per day have hit all-time highs, eclipsing 3,600 on Wednesday.

Here’s what you want to know about the vaccines. Find out more about who can get one, potential risks, how vaccines work and more.

Plus, scroll further for a guide to stay safe while you wait for your shot — or if you choose not to get one.