Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answered some of the most common questions about the vaccine.
What are some side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
The most common side effects of the vaccine include fever, chills, tiredness, headaches, and a sore arm. Most side effects during the clinical trials were mild to moderate. Currently, almost 10 million individuals have received the first dose of the vaccine with very few severe adverse reactions.
How was the vaccine developed so quickly?
The government pre-bought vaccines and combined clinical trials when possible. No steps were skipped to expedite the production of the vaccine, rather the FDA was able to simultaneously organize and facilitate clinical trials to speed up the process. Next, in normal vaccine development, manufacturing is scaled up after each trial depending on the results. In this case, vaccine candidates were manufactured while the trials were ongoing, so it was ready for rapid deployment if proven to be safe and effective.
When will home care workers get the vaccine?
Home care workers are included in Phase 1 of vaccine distribution. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that Phase 1 of vaccine distribution should be for healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. Healthcare personnel are defined as paid and unpaid individuals who are at an increased risk to be exposed to COVID-19. There are around 21 million healthcare workers in the United States working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and in community-based settings.
Each state has put out their own plan on vaccine distribution. Find yours here.
When will the vaccine be available for everyone?
Experts estimate that the general population will have access to the vaccine sometime between late spring to early summer 2021. While details still need to be worked out, the general population should be able to access the vaccine at a local pharmacy or doctor’s office when it is widely available.
Will I have to pay for the vaccine?
No. Getting vaccinated is free and people receiving COVID-19 vaccines will not be asked to pay any fees. In order to make the vaccine free, the government has pre-paid vaccine manufacturers for hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine. In addition, Congress and CMS made changes to existing regulations to prevent cost-sharing for the vaccine.
How many vaccines are available?
There are currently two vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization: Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Johnson & Johnson are completing their Phase 3 trial and could receive EUA sometime in February.
What are the differences between the vaccines?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine requires 2 doses, 3 weeks apart. Moderna requires 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. Johnson & Johnson only requires 1 dose.
Can the vaccine cause COVID-19?
No, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine use mRNA, not the live virus to trigger an immune response.
I already recovered from COVID-19, do I need to get the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. You should not be required to have an antibody test before you are vaccinated.
However, anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation.
Additionally, current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Therefore, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period if desired.
If I get the vaccine, do I still need to take precautions?
Yes. Even after receiving the vaccine it is important to continue to wear masks. The clinical trials did not determine whether vaccinated people can still spread the disease without developing symptoms. Return to normalcy will depend on how fast the general population can get vaccinated.