Protecting Our Community
About the Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free to all individuals aged 12 and older.They help stop the spread of the virus. Being fully vaccinated also allows someone to go back to activities from before the pandemic.
How the Vaccines Works
COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.
The Different Vaccines
There are three approved COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer – are given in two doses, about three weeks apart. You need both doses to be fully protected. Johnson & Johnson – requires only a single dose to be protected.
Commonly asked questions
Can the COVID-19 Vaccine make you sick?
No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.
If I have an underlying condition, can I get a Covid-19 Vaccine?
People with underlying medical conditions can receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered,do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again.
What to expect after taking the vaccine: aftercare and sideffects
Common Side Effects on the arm you got shot:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
Common Side effects throughout the rest of your body:
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Muscle Pains
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
Helpful Tips to Relieve Side Effects
Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for any pain and discomfort you may experience after getting vaccinated. You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally. It is not recommended you take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.
When to call your Doctor
In most cases, discomfort from pain or fever is a normal sign that your body is building protection. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider:
- If the redness or tenderness where you got the shot gets worse after 24 hours
- If your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days