Can the vaccine give me COVID?
No. There is no live virus in the COVID vaccine, so it is not possible to catch COVID from the vaccine.
What are the benefits of getting a COVID vaccine?
COVID vaccines help prevent you from getting COVID. Vaccines also prevent most cases of severe COVID which can lead to serious illness or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), once you are fully vaccinated you may 1) be indoors with other fully vaccinated peoples without a mask and 2) be indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household. Follow the CDC for complete information:www.cdc.gov
Will I still need to wear a mask after I get the vaccine?
Yes. You will still need to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from others (exceptions to this guideline are listed above), because the vaccine does not prevent COVID 100% of the time.
What are the most common side effects of the vaccine?
Many people experience pain, redness and swelling in the arm where they got their COVID shot. It’s also common to have a headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain or aches, chills, fever, nausea and/or vomiting and to feel tired after getting vaccinated. Side effects show that the vaccine is working.
How soon after I get vaccinated am I protected from COVID?
You are fully vaccinated two weeks after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two weeks after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
How long will the protection last?
We don’t yet know how long the vaccine will protect you from COVID. It’s possible that in the future, you may need a COVID booster shot to improve immunity.
Will I need a second shot?
Two of the vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) do require a second shot. The person vaccinating you will discuss which vaccine you are receiving and if you need a second shot.
Is it OK if my second shot is with a different COVID vaccine than the first one?
This is not recommended. In rare situations, it’s possible your doctor will give you a different vaccine for your second dose. It’s important to listen to the recommendation of your doctor.
Once I’ve been vaccinated, is it still possible for me to spread the disease to someone else?
This is still being studied. So far, it seems unlikely that vaccinated people who have been exposed to COVID but are not showing symptoms of infection can spread COVID to others. The safest option is to continue to mask and distance, especially around people who are unvaccinated and at increased risk of severe illness from COVID.
Can the vaccine be given to my children or teenagers?
The COVID vaccine is available to anyone 5 years and older.