Your Questions Answered

A vaccine is a treatment that prompts your immune system to produce antibodies as if you were exposed to the disease. The vaccine will provide you immunity to the disease without having to get the disease first.

The vaccine may prevent you from getting COVID, from becoming seriously ill, or from dying of COVID.

Adults and 5+ year old children are eligible to get the Pfizer vaccine. People must be 18+ years old to receive the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Yes. People who are vaccinated are twice as protected from a second COVID infection as people who have natural immunity from a previous infection.

Yes! According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine will be given to all individuals in the United States at no cost — with or without insurance.

No. The vaccine cannot give you COVID.

A recent large study found that the vaccine is safe and well tolerated by individuals who were pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy.

No. There are no clinical trials that demonstrate that vitamins and supplements are protective against COVID. Even if you are healthy the vaccine is recommended.

No. None of the authorized vaccines alter your DNA.

You may experience pain, redness, and swelling in the vaccinated arm. You may also have generalized symptoms such as fatigue, headache, muscle ache, chills, fever, and nausea. The symptoms generally occur one to two days after receiving the vaccine.

No.

The vaccine was developed quickly because a large number of volunteers enrolled in the vaccine studies which helped scientists get data very quickly. Even before the pandemic, advances in vaccine technology had been made that allowed for pharmaceutical companies to respond quickly to the need. The approval trials for the vaccine were standard in structure but the overall timelines were reduced by overlapping portions of the trials.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines provide good protection against the worst outcomes, including hospitalization and death. But scientists know that the immunity provided by the vaccine wanes over time, so a booster is recommended.

The booster is recommended 8 months after the second Pfizer or Moderna shot.

Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get their booster shot at least 2 months after your vaccination. Pfizer or Moderna booster shots are preferred in most situations.

There is no data on the mixing and matching of the vaccines so that option is not currently recommended. If you received the Pfizer vaccine, then get the Pfizer booster. If you received the Moderna vaccine, then get the Moderna booster.

Yes. The FDA and CDC have both already approved the booster for immunocompromised individuals.

The flu vaccine offers no protection against the COVID-19 virus. The “flu” is primarily a respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. The COVID-19 virus is a completely different virus that causes a completely different disease but also with a predilection for causing respiratory illness.

The CDC states that this is an acceptable practice. This also applies to a COVID-19 booster shot.

Yes. If you received the Moderna initial vaccine you are eligible to receive the Pfizer booster.