The COVID-19 situation continues to quickly evolve so we have gathered some helpful information to answer as many of your questions as we can. This changes frequently so we will make updates as often as possible.
What type of vaccines are offered? What are the differences?
Currently there is only one vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine can lower your chances of getting COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine has been tested in clinical trials. It was approved because it can greatly lower the chances of getting COVID-19. Even if you do get COVID-19, experts believe that the vaccine will help protect you, so you don’t get really sick. Your body will be ready to fight the virus.
Help stop the pandemic. Wearing a mask and social distancing are not enough to control the pandemic spread. Get the COVID-19 vaccine. We need to use all the tools we have to stop the pandemic. Even after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, social distancing and handwashing will be still important.
Protect yourself. COVID-19 is serious. People with COVID-19 are 10 times more likely to die than those with the flu. You can spread COVID-19 without looking or feeling sick. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from the virus.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?
There is a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines. So, certain groups can get the vaccine early.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine give me COVID-19?
None of the COVID-19 vaccines being developed in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. There are a couple of vaccines in development. But, the goal for each of them is to teach the body to find and fight the COVID-19 virus.
Sometimes the vaccine can cause symptoms, like fever.
If I’ve already had COVID-19, will this vaccine help me?
You may be told to get a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you’ve been sick with COVID-19 before. At this time, experts don’t know how long you’re protected from getting sick again after you’ve had COVID-19.
This protection is called natural immunity. It varies from person to person. Some early research showed that natural immunity didn’t last very long.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine help lower my chances of getting the virus?
The COVID-19 vaccine has been tested in clinical trials. It was only approved because it can greatly lower the chances of getting COVID-19.
Experts believe that even if you catch COVID-19, this vaccine may help keep you from getting very ill. Your body will be ready to fight the virus.
Will an mRNA vaccine change my genes?
The term, mRNA, stands for “messenger ribonucleic acid.” It’s basically directions for making a protein or a piece of a protein.
The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the part of the cell where our genes are kept. So, the mRNA can’t change your genes.
Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body’s natural defenses. It helps the body to safely protect you from COVID-19.
