NFID Infectious Diseases Immunization COVID-19 Antibiotic Resistance About Us Donate Search Home Infectious Diseases Coronaviruses Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines Share Tweet Share Email Print The following information addresses frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Although there are differences between the vaccines authorized for use in the US, all currently approved vaccines have the following in common: All are very effective in preventing hospitalization and death None contain the live virus or any component of the virus that causes COVID-19 Information about COVID-19 vaccines is changing rapidly. View the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone age 5 years and older in the US, including pregnant or breastfeeding individuals About the Vaccines Who should be vaccinated against COVID-19? Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in the US? What is an mRNA vaccine? Do mRNA vaccines affect DNA? What is the recommended timeframe between doses? Who should receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster? When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster if I am not in one of the recommended groups? Which booster should I get? When will vaccines be available for children under age 5? Why should children and teens get vaccinated for COVID-19? How long are the vaccines effective? Will I need to be revaccinated each year? Will COVID-19 vaccines work against new mutations of COVID-19? Vaccine Safety Are the vaccines safe? Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with allergies? Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with liver disease, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions? Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding? Do COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility? Should I be worried about myocarditis or pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination? Should I be concerned about Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) after COVID-19 vaccination? Is it possible to get COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine? Getting Vaccinated Can COVID-19 vaccines be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines? After I have been fully vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask and take other precautions? If I already had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated? Should I delay my COVID-19 vaccine if I am scheduled for surgery? What side effects should people expect from the vaccines? What can be done to relieve side effects of COVID-19 vaccines? What is the purpose of my COVID-19 vaccination card, and what should I do if I lose it? Who should not receive COVID-19 vaccines? Interaction with Antibiotics and Other Drugs Do COVID-19 vaccines interfere with other drugs and medications? Is it safe to take an antibiotic before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? Is it safe to take a pain reliever when getting a COVID-19 vaccine? About the Vaccines Who should be vaccinated against COVID-19? In the US, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone age 5 years and older. Contact your local health department for more information about COVID-19 vaccines available in your local area. Back to Top Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in the US? Three vaccines are currently available in the US. FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (now marketed as COMIRNATY®) for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals age 16 years and older. The vaccine is also available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for children age 5-15 years and for the administration of a third dose in immunocompromised individuals. The Moderna and J&J/Janssen vaccines have received emergency use authorization from FDA and are recommended for individuals age 18 years and older. Individuals may receive any age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine and are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Back to Top What is an mRNA vaccine? Do mRNA vaccines affect DNA? The vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. mRNA is found in all living cells, and mRNA vaccines work by teaching cells how to make a protein or a piece of a protein that triggers an immune response inside the body. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects against infection if you are exposed to the virus. mRNA is not the same as DNA, and it cannot combine with our DNA to change our genetic code. It is also relatively fragile, and will only remain inside a cell for about 72 hours, before being degraded. mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA in any way. mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where DNA (genetic material) is located. Back to Top What is the recommended timeframe between doses? For both the Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA) vaccines, two doses are recommended for the primary series, and both doses must be from the same manufacturer. The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be given at least 21 days after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be given at least 28 days after the first dose. You should not get the second dose sooner than recommended, but if the second dose is delayed, get the second dose as soon as possible. Vaccine Dosage and Administration for Children Adolescents age 12 years and older receive the same dosage of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults Children age 5-11 years receive one-third of the adult dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Smaller needles, designed specifically for children, are used for children age 5-11 years. COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight but by age on the day of vaccination Children need a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 21 days after their first dose Booster Shots COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for certain recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines who completed the initial series at least 6 months ago. For the J&J/Janssen vaccine, a booster shot is recommended for those who are 18 years and older and who were vaccinated (with 1 dose) at least 2 months ago. Back to Top Who should receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster? All COVID-19 vaccine recipients age 18 years and older are now eligible for boosters. If you received the J&J/Janssen vaccine (and you are 18 or older), you should get a booster at least 2 months after your shot. If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA) vaccines, you should get a booster at least 6 months after getting your second shot if you are: Age 50 years or older Age 18 or older and live in a long-term care setting Everyone else age 18 or older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA) vaccines may get a booster at least 6 months after getting their second shot. Back to Top When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster if I am not in one of the recommended groups? Additional populations may be recommended to receive a booster shot as more data becomes available. The COVID-19 vaccines approved and authorized in the US continue to be effective at reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly evolving. Experts are reviewing all available data to understand how well the vaccines are working for different populations. This includes looking at how new variants, like Delta, affect vaccine effectiveness. Back to Top Which booster should I get? Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the US can be used for the booster dose. Back to Top When will vaccines be available for children under age 5? Because young children were not included in the initial clinical trials, the vaccines are not currently recommended for children younger than 5 years of age. Clinical trials in younger children are underway, and presuming the trials are successful, vaccine recommendations for younger children will be made once the trials are completed. Back to Top Why should children and teens get vaccinated for COVID-19? Although COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, it can make some children very sick and can require hospitalization. In some cases, complications from COVID-19 can lead to death. Children who have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 can lead to both short- and long-term complications for children. Children who get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can also develop serious complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)—a condition where different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children age 5 years and older from getting COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk. Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Vaccinating children age 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities. Back to Top How long are the vaccines effective? Will I need to be revaccinated each year? Scientists do not yet know how long the protection from the COVID-19 vaccines will last. Scientists and public health experts are closely monitoring vaccine effectiveness and safety, and new information will be shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it becomes available. Some vaccines provide life-long protection, such as the measles vaccine. Others require booster doses. For example, for influenza (flu) everyone age 6 months and older should get vaccinated each year. Back to Top Will COVID-19 vaccines work against new mutations of COVID-19? Available data show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the US continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Viruses constantly mutate, and public health experts expect new variants of a virus to occur. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) have been documented in the US and globally. The US government has developed a Variant Classification scheme that defines three classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants: Variant of Interest (VOI) Variant of Concern (VOC) Variant of High Consequence (VOHC) Scientists are monitoring changes in the virus, and information about these variants is rapidly emerging. The new variants seem to spread more easily and quickly, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19, but at this time, existing vaccines work well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Back to Top Vaccine Safety Are the vaccines safe? All vaccines used in the US are required to go through extensive safety testing before they are licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or recommended for widespread use. Recommended COVID-19 vaccines have been studied in multiple clinical trials, each of which has included thousands of individuals who were followed for a minimum of two months. Decades of experience with other vaccines indicate that the vast majority of adverse reactions occur within the first two months of vaccination. Vaccinated individuals may have a sore arm, fatigue, headache, and even low-grade fever that lasts one or two days. This is to be expected, and it indicates that the vaccine is working. Back to Top Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with allergies? Individuals who have had severe allergic reactions to other vaccines or injectable therapies should not get vaccinated against COVID-19. People who have other allergies (e.g., allergies to food, animals, venom, environmental, or latex) may be vaccinated but should remain at the vaccination site for 15-30 minutes for observation. Individuals who carry epinephrine (EpiPen©) should bring it with them as a precaution. Back to Top Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people with liver disease, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions? COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Multiple studies show that older adults and those with certain medical conditions—including cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, dementia, diabetes (type 1 or type 2), down syndrome, heart disease, HIV, liver disease, and sickle cell disease—are at higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 and should be vaccinated. Back to Top Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding? Do COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility? There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility or are harmful to the mother or infant. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Breastfeeding is rarely a safety concern with vaccines. Back to Top Should I be worried about myocarditis or pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination? There have been rare reports of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis or pericarditis) following vaccination with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). Most of the reported cases have been among male adolescents and young adults and have occurred within several days following the second dose of the vaccine. Most patients with myocarditis and pericarditis who received care responded well to medicine and rest and quickly recovered. If you have any of these symptoms within a week after COVID-19 vaccination, seek medical care: • Chest pain • Shortness of breath • Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart CDC is actively monitoring these reports and continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone age 5 years and older. The known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. Back to Top Should I be concerned about Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) after COVID-19 vaccination? There have been rare reports of Guillain Barré syndrome (a neurological disorder in which the immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis) in some individuals who have received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. In most cases, symptoms began within 6 weeks of being vaccinated. If you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the J&J/Janssen vaccine, seek medical care: Weakness or tingling sensations, especially in the legs or arms, that is worsening and spreading to other parts of the body Difficulty walking Difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing Double vision or inability to move eyes Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function CDC and FDA are actively monitoring these reports and continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination, as the benefits outweigh the risks. Back to Top Is it possible to get COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine? None of the new vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so it is not possible to get the disease from the vaccine. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it is possible for an individual to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination, as the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. Back to Top Getting Vaccinated Can COVID-19 vaccines be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines? Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be given on the same day. Rates of routine vaccinations have declined during the pandemic, and it is important to stay up to date on all recommended vaccines. For additional information, view current CDC guidance on coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines and watch the 30-second NFID animated video, Maintaining Your Health Isn’t Much Different Than Maintaining Your Car. Back to Top After I have been fully vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask and take other precautions? Even if you are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing a mask in certain instances, and you still need to follow guidance at local businesses, schools, and workplaces. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated still needs to wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and take other precautions. Face masks can help prevent an infected individual from spreading the virus. Face masks are not recommended for children less than 2 years of age or for individuals who have trouble breathing or who cannot easily remove them. Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area. In the US, people are still getting sick, being hospitalized, and dying due to COVID-19. Precautions such as wearing masks in public places, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Back to Top If I already had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated? CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination regardless of whether or not an individual was previously infected. Vaccination induces a much higher antibody response than natural infection. Back to Top Should I delay my COVID-19 vaccine if I am scheduled for surgery? There is no need to delay getting vaccinated against COVID-19 until after surgery. Fever is a potential side effect of COVID-19 vaccines, and having a fever after surgery raises concerns about a possible surgical wound infection. For that reason, it is a good idea to allow at least one week between getting vaccinated and having surgery. Back to Top What side effects should people expect from the vaccines? Some individuals who are vaccinated may have a sore arm, fever, or other symptoms. These symptoms are normal, should be expected, and are a sign that the body is building immunity. Back to Top What can be done to relieve side effects of COVID-19 vaccines? Side effects are normal signs that the body is building immunity. These side effects usually go away in a few days. Over-the-counter medicines, such as aspirin, antihistamines, or acetaminophen, may help relieve fever, pain, or discomfort after getting vaccinated—but should not be used before getting vaccinated. To reduce pain and discomfort in the arm, apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area, and use/exercise your arm gently. To reduce discomfort from fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress in layers that can be removed. Back to Top What is the purpose of my COVID-19 vaccination card, and what should I do if I lose it? The COVID-19 vaccination card is simply a medical record to help keep track of which type of vaccine you received, when you received it, and when you are due for another dose if necessary. You should keep your vaccination record in a safe place, as with all medical records. It is a good idea to make a copy of the vaccination card and keep the copy secure as well. Avoid carrying the card in your wallet to prevent losing it. Laminating the card is not necessary, and can make it difficult to add booster doses. If you lose your card, contact the site where you received your vaccine or your local health department for a replacement. Back to Top Who should not receive COVID-19 vaccines? Authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people, with few exceptions: Current vaccines are not authorized for children younger than 5 years of age Individuals who have had severe allergic reactions to other vaccines or injectable therapies should not get vaccinated against COVID-19. Those with other allergies may be vaccinated but should remain at the vaccination site for 15-30 minutes for observation, following vaccination. Back to Top Interaction with Antibiotics and Other Drugs Do COVID-19 vaccines interfere with other drugs and medications? COVID-19 vaccines do not interfere with the vast majority of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can be taken safely and effectively by those receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to a healthcare professional if you have specific questions about your medical care. Back to Top Is it safe to take an antibiotic before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines do not influence or interact with antibiotics, so when indicated, antibiotics may be taken at any time relative to COVID-19 vaccine administration. Back to Top Is it safe to take a pain reliever when getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Do not take a pain reliever or fever-reducing drug before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine because these drugs may impact the immune response to the vaccine. If you experience side effects after getting vaccinated, it is safe to take these drugs as needed to treat pain. Patients routinely taking low-dose aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications may continue to take these medications as instructed. Back to Top Updated November 2021 Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration Learn more about coronaviruses at www.nfid.org/coronaviruses Recent Blog Schaffner Report: Widening Circle of Eligibility for COVID-19 Boosters Thank You for Appropriately Using Antibiotics Keep Up The Rates To Help #PreventPneumo View All COVID-19 Vaccines: Myths and Facts Graphics Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 COVID-19 Webinars National Foundation for Infectious Diseases 7201 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814 301.656.0003 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Privacy Policy Disclaimer This website is designed to provide education to the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. 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