All current COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in preventing serious disease. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine have been shown to be 95% and 94% effective respectively in preventing symptomatic COVID. The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66% effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID and 85% effective in preventing serious disease.

All vaccines have undergone safety trials and have been authorized for use in the United States. Millions of individuals have received the COVID-19 vaccinations and no long-term side effects have been detected. The CDC, FDA, and others continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines have been authorized for use in adults only (the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for 12 years old or older. Moderna and J&J are 18 years old.). The vaccines are currently being studied for use in children. More information: Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

Many people experience mild side effects after receiving the COVID vaccine. This is common for all the vaccines that are currently available. Common side effects include sore arm, redness/tenderness at the injection area, headache, body aches, fatigue, fever, and chills. For two-dose series, side effects may be more severe after the second dose. This is a natural part of your body’s immune response. You must complete the 2-dose series in order to have full protection.

Severe adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis are extremely rare. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to medications or vaccinations, you can still receive the COVID vaccine. However, you should talk to your vaccine provider about your history prior to receiving the vaccine.

If is not recommended to take over the counter pain relief before your vaccination appointment. Talk to your vaccine provider about options for pain relief after your vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccines help your body build better immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us becoming sick.

mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) use mRNA to provide instructions to your body about how to make a unique and harmless protein of the COVID virus, known as the spike protein. Our body recognizes that this protein does not belong in our body and then destroys this protein. By doing so our body is building immune cells that will remember to destroy this protein in the future. mRNA vaccines cannot give you COVID, they do not contain a live COVID virus. mRNA vaccines do not interact with your DNA or your genetic material.

More information: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

Viral vector vaccines (J&J) work by using a modified version of a different harmless virus which is known as the vector. This vector is sent into your body to deliver important messages to your body and tells the cell to produce a harmless part of the COVID virus (the spike protein). The body recognizes that this spike protein does not belong and triggers an immune response. This creates memory for our body for the next time we may encounter COVID.  Viral vector vaccines cannot give you COVID nor can they give you the modified vector virus.

More information: Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

You are considered fully vaccinated 2-weeks after your second dose for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and 2-weeks after your vaccination for J&J. Fully vaccinated individuals should still wear masks and social distance in public settings and refer to the CDC for guidelines for other activities.

More information: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated | CDC