Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

• COVID-19 vaccines help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect you from serious health issues and death from COVID-19.

• When you get vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but help protect your family, friends, and our communities!

• The more people who get vaccinated, the sooner we can move forward together to get back to normal.

• You are not required to show any documentation, such as your social security number or proof of health insurance to get the vaccine, but you may be asked to show your photo ID

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How effective are the vaccines?

• All three vaccines are 100% effective in lowering your chances of going to the hospital or dying from the coronavirus.

• The vaccines protect against the new COVID-19 variants and help prevent new variants from developing and spreading. ​

 

What can I expect when I get the vaccines?

• You may have mild side effects such as arm soreness, muscle aches, feeling tired, headaches, nausea, chills, or fever. These side effects are your body’s normal response to the vaccine and do not put your family at risk of catching COVID-19. The vaccine does not give you COVID-19.

• You are not fully protected until 2 to 4 weeks after getting the vaccine as your body builds up an immune response.

• Medical staff will monitor you for 15-30 minutes after vaccination and will treat you if you get a rare reaction. Less than 4 per 1,000,000 people have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine.

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Can children get the COVID-19 vaccines?

• Children ages 12-17 years can get the Pfizer vaccine. Parents will need to consent for their children to get the vaccine.

• In special circumstances, children may consent for themselves to get the vaccine. For example, legally emancipated minors can provide consent to receive the vaccine.

  Is the vaccine safe and effective for someone like me?

• Over 120 million people in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated, including people from diverse backgrounds, age groups, and various health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and lung disease.

• The vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women and women who are thinking about becoming pregnant. In fact, pregnant women can pass antibodies they develop from the vaccine to protect their newborns from COVID-19.

• The vaccine does not cause infertility or lower your chances of getting pregnant.

• ​The vaccines are equally safe and effective for all race/ethnicities, who were a part of the vaccine trials:

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If I already had COVID-19, should I get the vaccine?

• Even if you already had COVID-19, you should still get the vaccine. The vaccine may prolong your immunity or protect you from catching other COVID-19 variants.

• If you have recently had COVID-19, you should wait until you have recovered from your symptoms and no longer need to quarantine before getting your COVID-19 vaccine.

• Generally, you should get the vaccine by 3 months after you had COVID-19. You should

  talk to your doctor about the best timing to get vaccinated.

  If I already had the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask and continue to get tested for COVID-19?

• Fully vaccinated people can resume most regular activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. However, you must still follow local laws and rules about mask-wearing and social distancing. This includes places where you shop or where you work.

• If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine or get tested for COVID-19, unless you have symptoms.

• Information about the COVID-19 vaccine is rapidly changing. You can talk to your doctor or visit your local public health department website for the latest vaccine information.

  Why are some communities, such as Black, Latino, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, or Asian Americans, being encouraged to get the vaccine?

• Some communities may be at higher risk for catching COVID-19, or dying from it, based on other existing health conditions and the risk of exposure to COVID-19 based on where they live or work.

• The COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates have been higher in some communities than others.

• The goal is to protect communities at high risk for COVID-19 and achieve community immunity through vaccination.