Covid-19 Vaccine Questions from Clients

Our COVID-19 Task Force comprised of De Novo staff, board members and volunteers has taken your questions and used guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other scientific experts to answer your questions. We will update this list as new information becomes available. We hope you find this helpful. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people with autoimmune conditions may receive the vaccine, but caution that the long term safety data is still being established. The American College of Rheumatology does recommend that people with autoimmune diseases get the vaccine, unless they have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine. If you have particular concerns, it is best to speak with your doctor. 

While the vaccines themselves were produced relatively quickly, the underlying science used in two of the vaccines (mRNA or messenger ribonucleic acid) was discovered and developed decades earlier. Also, unlike other vaccines, billions of dollars were invested early and hundreds of scientists from around the world cooperated on vaccine development, speeding the process. Finally, thousands of adult volunteers came forward to test the vaccines and make sure they were safe and effective before being offered to the public.

The vaccine is free for everyone regardless of immigration status or whether you have health insurance. You will not be asked to make a payment at any point during the process. 

You are considered to be fully vaccinated and thus protected two weeks after receiving the last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. We are still learning how long that immunity will last, but so far it is continuing to protect those initially vaccinated. 

We are still learning how long we will be protected after receiving the vaccine. Some vaccines last for years, like the measles vaccine, and others are much shorter in duration. According to experts at the CDC’s Center for Global Health, it is likely that with COVID-19 we will have to be vaccinated annually as we are with the flu vaccine.

The vaccines teach the immune system to recognize the COVID-19 virus. They leave the body after this work is done. While we don’t yet have long term data on these vaccines, we do have long term data to show that vaccines on the whole are very safe. 

When vaccines do have problems, those problems have generally shown up within the first few weeks, not years later. With over 100 million doses administered, the COVID-19 vaccines have proved to be exceptionally safe.

Masking and social distancing help slow the spread of the virus, but they do not halt it entirely. You may still get COVID-19, especially as new variants of the virus take hold. 

The sooner you get the vaccine, the sooner you and your loved ones will be protected and the sooner you can start to resume normal activities. This also protects your community at large. 

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. It is still possible to be reinfected by the virus that causes COVID-19. This is especially true as time passes and new variants of the disease circulate. 

Antibodies you produce as you recover do not prevent you from receiving the vaccine, according to the CDC. However, people with COVID-19 who have symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma (a special treatment offered in the hospital) you should wait ninety days before getting the vaccine. Please talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about what treatments you received or if you have other questions.

Although unlikely if you are taking precautions, it is possible to get COVID-19 between the first and second dose of the vaccine. Once you have recovered and are out of isolation (10 days have passed since you first had symptoms, 24 hours have passed without a fever, other symptoms have improved) you should still receive the second dose of the vaccine as close to the recommended day as possible. This second shot will be helpful in providing the full protective effects of the vaccine. 

It is against the law for medical officials, including doctors and nurses, to share information about you with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the government. Your immigration status will be kept confidential and there are no enforcement operations occurring near vaccine sites. There might be a security presence, such as the police or National Guard, but this is just a general precaution and shouldn’t worry you.

You do not need a driver’s license, ID, or health insurance to get the vaccine. You may be asked for them but they are not required.

Yes. The vaccine does not affect fertility. 

One possible concern is the small risk of fever after the second dose. High fevers in early pregnancy have been associated with a slight increase in risk to the baby. If this is a concern, you can take Tylenol to help bring your fever down.

You can also be vaccinated if you’re undergoing fertility treatments. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should talk to your health care professional about receiving the vaccine. It’s important to know that pregnant women are at higher risk of getting more severe forms of COVID-19, according to the CDC. 

For women who are pregnant and considering the vaccine, there is limited data, but experts think the vaccines are safe based on past experience with similar vaccines. Again, the risks and benefits are best discussed with your health care professional.

There is no scientific evidence linking the vaccine to infertility or menopause.

After getting vaccinated, you might have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects for all the currently approved vaccines include a sore arm, tiredness, and headache, with some people experiencing flu-like symptoms such as muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These side effects usually start a day or two after getting the vaccine and go away after a few days.

If you are receiving a two-dose vaccine, side effects after the second shot may be more noticeable. They can typically be eased with over the counter medicine, cool washcloths, and drinking plenty of fluids. You should call your doctor if the side effects do not go away after a few days.  

You will be asked to remain at the site for 15 minutes after receiving your shot. That is because there is a very small risk of having an allergic reaction. This can include a rash, swelling, dizziness or even difficulty breathing. All sites have medication to lessen these symptoms and keep you safe. 

If you have had an allergic reaction to medications or shots in the past, you should discuss this with your doctor before getting the vaccine. You should also call 911 immediately if you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving a vaccination site.

Children under age 16 are not yet approved to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for people ages 16 and older, and the Moderna vaccine has been authorized for people 18 years and older. It is highly recommended that anyone of age should be vaccinated. 

Studies with children and adolescents under age 16 are currently being conducted to determine if it is safe and effective, and this data should be available in the near future.

None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain a live virus. That means these vaccines CANNOT make you sick with COVID-19. 

While no vaccine is completely effective in preventing illness, these vaccines are effective in preventing severe forms of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. According to the CDC, as of March 8, 92 million doses of vaccine have been administered and not a single death has been attributed to the vaccine or COVID-19 in the fully vaccinated. This is a remarkable safety picture.