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Things to Know Before & After the Vaccine
Vaccination is protecting us as individuals and as a community. Get answers to questions about getting the vaccine and tips for after vaccination.
Can vaccines give you COVID-19?
No! The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines do not contain the pieces needed to make more virus.
COVID-19 vaccine safety
The U.S. FDA and other agencies closely monitored vaccine development and in clinical trials that evaluated both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, no significant side effects were seen beyond the expected flu-like symptoms.
Vaccine protection
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective within two to three weeks after completing the second dose. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is fully effective within four weeks of the one required dose.
Effectiveness against COVID-19
Vaccines that are currently approved for distribution in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) are about 86% effective against severe disease. They all prevent death and are effective against the current variants.
Do you need a vaccine if you already had COVID-19?
Yes, you need the vaccine. Natural immunity (from being infected with the actual virus) fades over time and if you had a mild case of COVID-19 you may not have very strong immunity.
Keep masking up
It is important to continue to wear a mask when in public or around people outside of your immediate family and household members. It is also important to continue social distancing. The vaccine provides significant protection for vaccinated individuals from getting COVID-19 disease, it is still possible for vaccinated individuals to transmit the virus to others and no vaccination is 100% effective.
Distance yourself
Social distancing is still important until a majority of the population are vaccinated, and until more is known about who can still spread the virus.
Wash hands frequently
Protect yourself by removing germs from your hands with frequent and thorough handwashing.
You received a vaccine
Getting one dose of the vaccine does not immediately protect you. After the second dose, it will take an additional two to three weeks for you to be protected. Watch for side effects such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue, and continue masking, social distancing and handwashing until a majority of the population are vaccinated.
Asymptomatic carriers
COVID-19 vaccines may protect against severe infection, but not necessarily prevent mild or asymptomatic infection. It’s possible that an infected person could still spread the virus, which can put others nearby at risk.
Be patient and safe
Science is still learning about the virus, the disease and about the vaccine’s effectiveness. Until more is known about who can still spread the virus and until most of the population has been vaccinated, practice basic safety – mask-up, practice social distancing, wash your hands often.