COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

FAST FACTS

The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain any live virus particles
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine
No long term side effects have been found yet, it is unlikely that any long term vaccine side effects would be riskier than the long term effects of contracting the disease
There were no deaths or severe illnesses in the 73,000 vaccine test subjects
The vaccine has been approved by impartial experts after reviewing the clinical trials – No one, not even the President of the United States, can get a vaccine approved before it has been deemed safe
More than 43 million Americans have already received at least the first dose of the vaccine

GETTING THE VACCINE

How and where do i get vaccinated?

Your vaccine eligibility depends on a number of risk factors. You can use My Turn CA to check your status and sign up for alerts for when you’re eligible.

Healthcare workers and individuals 65+ near San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego Counties can book appointments immediately through the myturn.ca.gov site or by calling (833) 422-4255.

In other counties, you will need to refer to your county’s health department guidelines.
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
Ventura County
Santa Barbara County
San Luis Obispo County
Orange County

Additionally, some employers may be offering vaccinations at your worksite if you are a healthcare or public health worker.

What Materials Do I Need for my vaccine appointment?

Requirements vary by county, however expect that residents aged 65+ will need to show photo ID and proof of residency and that Critical and Healthcare Workers need to show photo ID and one of the following:
– Professional license
– Employee badge with name
– Signed letter from employer on facility letterhead
– Employment paystub with printed name

Please carefully read any instructions for what to bring when you book your appointment.

Do you have to get tested before you get the vaccine?

No.

Will I get sick from the vaccine?

No. There are no live virus particles. While you might feel minor, temporary side effects from the injection, it is impossible to contract the virus from the vaccine.

Some people who get a COVID-19 vaccine will experience side effects, particularly after a second dose. The side effects of the vaccine appear to be minor and temporary. Participants have reported pain at the injection site, fatigue, and occasional fever, headache, or aching muscles and joints.

These side effects fade within 1–2 days. In fact, side effects are actually common with all vaccines. They are a sign that a vaccine is working and is triggering an immune response. If someone is going to have a bad reaction to a vaccine, it is likely to occur in the first six weeks after vaccination.

How does the Vaccine Work?

There are two vaccines that are or could soon be available, and both use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Unlike other vaccines, mRNA technology does not use any live virus particles. You will not be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Instead, the vaccines contain instructions for your cells. The messenger RNA — a piece of genetic code — tells your cells to make the COVID-19 spike protein themselves. Once your cells make the spike protein, your immune system will create the antibodies that fight COVID-19 and protect you from getting sick from this virus, providing a significant level of immunity.

To be effective, both of the vaccines require you to receive two shots, given a few weeks apart.

What are the Side Effects?

The side effects of the vaccine appear to be minor and temporary. Participants have reported pain at the injection site, fatigue, and occasional fever, headache, or aching muscles and joints.

Do I have to go to my provider to get the vaccine?

No, you can use the links on this page to book a vaccine appointment with a local distribution center.

Does the vaccine have COVID in it?

No. There are no live virus particles. While you might feel minor, temporary side effects from the injection, it is impossible to contract the virus from the vaccine.

How effective is the vaccine if you have already had COVId?

There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. Early evidence suggests that natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this. The CDC has not issued a recommendation on whether people who had COVID-19 should get a COVID-19 vaccine.

VACCINE FAQ VIDEOS

VACCINE FACTS PDFS

COVID Vaccine Facts – English

COVID Vaccine Facts – Spanish

Journey of the COVID-19 Vaccine

What to Expect After Vaccination – English

What to Expect After Vaccination – Spanish

SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS

What’s in the vaccine and how does it work?

To be effective, both of the vaccines require you to receive two shots, given a few weeks apart.

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. There are no live virus particles. While you might feel minor, temporary side effects from the injection, it is impossible to contract the virus from the vaccine.

Will the vaccine cause side effects? If so, how long might they last?

Are there any long term side effects?

COVID-19 vaccines are still being tested for long term side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are monitoring the vaccines closely. At this point, no long term safety issues have been detected. As more people get vaccinated, CDC scientists and medical professionals will keep providing information to the public and will take action on new safety concerns, if needed.

But even though we are still learning about COVID-19 vaccines, here’s what we do know for sure: getting sick with COVID-19 is dangerous. We know that COVID-19 can cause long-term health problems, even in mild cases. It is unlikely that we will find any vaccine-related side effects that are riskier than actually having COVID-19.

Has anyone died or become ill after taking the vaccine?

No. There are two vaccines: one is from Pfizer and the other is from Moderna. Nearly 73,000 individuals took part in clinical trials for the two vaccines. There were no deaths, and nobody reported severe illness following the vaccination.

Is one vaccine better than the other?

Both vaccines have a high level of effectiveness: Pfizer has a 95 percent rate and Moderna has a 94 percent rate. That means that among people who took the vaccines, there were 94– 95 percent fewer cases of COVID-19 than among those who didn’t receive it. While it’s difficult to compare vaccines for different diseases, for context, flu vaccines are only 40–60 percent effective in any given year. The high level of effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine means it has the potential to significantly prevent the spread of the disease.

How many doses do I need to be fully protected? Is one dose good enough?

To be effective, both vaccines require two shots given a few weeks apart. It is typical for the second dose of vaccine to give a more significant, longer-term boost. Giving a vaccine in two doses is common for many childhood vaccines. The first shot primes the immune system, helping it recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. Pfizer’s second shot is given 21 days after the first one, and Moderna’s is given 28 days later.

Can I mix and match vaccines?

No. For a two-dose vaccine, your second dose must be from the same vaccine as the first. Since the vaccines differ in composition, storage and time between the two doses, experts say people must take the same vaccine for both doses.

How long does the protection last? Will I need to get a booster shot every year?

It’s possible you may need to get a booster shot. Because the disease is new, we still have more to learn about how long immunity might last. The protection may wane over time, and you may be susceptible again. It’s also possible that the virus could mutate. Public health experts and scientists will continue to study the virus and monitor people’s immunity, and issue guidance accordingly in the future.

Can I still get the virus, even if I take the vaccine?

Yes. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity 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 get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

While the vaccine provides significant protection, it is not 100% effective. There is a slight chance you may still get infected, but it will most likely be a mild case of the virus as opposed to a severe case which is possible without the vaccine. Contracting the virus without protection can have potentially deadly consequences – taking the vaccine does not.

Can I still spread the virus, even after getting vaccinated?

We don’t yet know whether vaccinated individuals can spread the virus to others who may not have received the vaccine. That’s why it will be critical that everyone continues to wear masks, socially distance and follow all the necessary public health protocols both at work and elsewhere.

Does the vaccine work better depending on a person’s age, weight or race?

Based on the available data, we know the Pfizer vaccine works well regardless of age, weight or race. Data on the Moderna vaccine is expected to be released soon and we anticipate it will show similar results. Trials for both vaccines included over 25,000 people from the communities most impacted by COVID-19, including Black, Latinx, and older people.

I have pre-existing conditions. Will taking the vaccine have harmful effects?

We don’t yet know for certain how individuals with different pre-existing conditions will react to the vaccine. It is clear, however, that those with other health complications are at a higher risk for contracting severe cases of the disease. If you have a pre-existing condition, you should consult your doctor on what’s best for you.

I already had COVID-19 – do I still need a vaccine?

Will I still need to wear PPE and follow public health protocols even after getting the vaccine?

Yes. We will still need to wear masks and practice physical distancing until a large proportion of the population is vaccinated and we are sure the vaccine provides long-term protection. Initially, we will not have enough vials to vaccinate everyone who wants the vaccine and the virus will still be transmitted. While the vaccine provides significant protection, it is not 100% effective. We also don’t know whether vaccinated individuals can still carry and spread the virus to people who haven’t been vaccinated. Everyone should continue to wear PPE and follow public health protocols.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL

The vaccines were made so quickly. How do I know it is safe and not rushed?

The mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna are faster to develop because they are not using live virus particles. Instead, mRNA is easy to make in the laboratory, saving several years for development. These vaccines are carefully studied, tested, and regulated before they can be used. The companies that created the vaccines submit extensive applications to multiple government agencies and independent bodies of scientific experts, which will only permit the vaccine to be used if the evidence shows it is safe.

Healthcare workers will be among the first who can take the vaccines. How robust were the trials? How many people were involved and how thorough was the study?

In clinical trials for the vaccine candidates from Pfizer and Moderna, over 73,000 people from the U.S. and around the world received injections of the vaccine. Both vaccines have a very high level of effectiveness.

Did the clinical trials for the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna include people from the groups most affected by COVID-19, especially Black, Latinx, and older people?

Yes. While vaccines work the same in people of different races or ethnicities, it is important to make sure vaccines are tested in diverse population groups before they are released. The clinical trials conducted by Pfizer and Moderna included over 25,000 people from the communities most impacted by COVID-19, including Black, Latinx and older people.

Did President Trump pressure vaccine companies or the FDA to speed up the process?

No. Public health leaders including Dr. Anthony Fauci are carefully monitoring the vaccine process, and it has moved forward without interference by President Trump and Republicans. The companies that created the vaccines submit extensive applications to multiple government agencies and independent bodies of scientific experts, which will only permit the vaccine to be used if the data and the evidence show it is safe for people. There is no time limit on the process, and nobody — not even the President — can rush it.

How does the vaccine approval process work?

In the United States, vaccines must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be used. The FDA bases its decision to approve or not approve a vaccine on data from clinical trials. The data is reviewed by independent experts who are not part of the government or the pharmaceutical companies, and by career scientists and physicians at the FDA who are not politically appointed and who are experts in vaccine safety and effectiveness.

The scientists look out for unexpected side effects that the vaccine might have caused. This helps determine the vaccine’s “safety.” In general, the fewer and less severe the side effects are, the more the vaccine is considered safe. If the clinical trial data shows enough evidence of efficacy and safety, the FDA will approve the vaccine and license it for use in the United States.

I hear that the FDA is granting emergency use authorization status to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. What does that mean?

Sometimes, the FDA will allow a medical product that has not yet been fully approved to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent a serious illness. This is called “emergency use authorization” (EUA). An EUA may be issued when the FDA determines that the product “may be effective” against the disease based on all the available scientific evidence. This is a lower standard than what’s required for full approval of a product, but it still uses early data gathered from clinical trials.

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

Can I or other healthcare workers be required to take the vaccine?

The vaccines were approved under an FDA protocol called Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which says that vaccines should not be made mandatory. However, healthcare workers are encouraged to take the vaccine, given their frequent contact with COVID-19 patients, as well as to protect loved ones and neighbors. While healthcare workers will be given the first opportunity to take it due to the nature of their work, the general population will be eligible to take it soon after. Mass vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19, save lives and begin to resume normalcy once again.

Will those who are vaccinated be assigned to work with patients with COVID-19 more frequently?

No, the immunization status of a healthcare worker will not affect their work assignment.

Is the vaccine free? Will my insurance cover it?

You will not have to pay for the vaccine. The vaccine itself is free, and Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance have agreed to offer it for free. Individuals who are uninsured may incur a cost for vaccine administration.

Will I have a chance to take the vaccine later if I decline the first opportunity?

We don’t have all the details yet on how many doses will be available in the initial distribution. Due to limited doses of the vaccine, choosing not to take it when it is first available may mean you will have to wait many more months to have an opportunity to do so again.

Special thanks to SEIU 1199UHE for developing this fact sheet, in close consultation with doctors and other medical professionals. Additional information courtesy of the State of California and county health departments.