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Is the vaccine safe?
COVID-19 vaccines being distributed meet safety milestones set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA). For an EUA, the FDA evaluates the available scientific evidence and assesses any known or potential risks and benefits—it is using the same process of review as for all other drugs and vaccines; this review is not different for COVID-19. The vaccine’s expected benefits far outweigh potential risks, according to the FDA’s review and clinical studies found no serious safety concerns for adults of different ages, sexes, races, and even some people with underlying health conditions. Vaccine manufacturers also asked thousands of people from communities of color including black and Hispanic individuals to participate in their clinical trials.

If I get vaccinated, how long will the protection last?
The protection someone gains from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Since this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Regarding vaccination, we won’t know how long immunity lasts until we have a vaccine and more data on how well it works.

Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available. If there is a safety issue, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will look into it immediately, determine if it is vaccine-related, and, if necessary, change how the vaccine is used

Is the vaccine effective?
In clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine has been found to be 95% effective after the second dose and the Moderna clinical trials have shown a 94.1% efficacy rate after both doses. The vaccine was found to be equally effective for adults of different ages, sexes, races, and even those with underlying conditions. At this time, more research is needed to determine if COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for children younger than 16.

The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine was on average 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe cases of COVID-19. No one who was in the clinical trials for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was hospitalized for COVID-19, nor were there any COVID-related deaths among those vaccinated.

What are the side effects? Will I get sick?
The most severe side effects reported are fatigue and headache. Other, less common side effects include:

• Fever and body aches that may last for a day or two after getting the vaccine
• Red, sore arm, or pain at the injection site for about a week
• In rare instances, there have been allergic reactions. Like other vaccinations, recipients will be monitored immediately after receiving a dose.
• People experienced more side effects after the second dose than after the first dose, but they self-resolved quickly
• While you may feel run down, these side effects are a sign that your immune system is working and building up protection to disease

Why is the vaccine administered in two doses?
Most of the COVID-19 vaccines use two shots, administered 21-28 days apart, to provide the best protection. For the Pfizer vaccine, the second dose is given 21 days after the first; for Moderna and some other vaccines, the second dose is given 28 days later. The first dose helps the immune system recognize the virus, and the second strengthens immune response. While there is some protection beginning after the first dose, it is important to complete both doses for full benefit. It is not known how long-lasting the vaccine effects are, but getting both doses builds the strongest immunity.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered in only one dose as it not an mRNA vaccine.

Will I get COVID if I get the vaccine?
No. COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use or in development in the United States will not give you COVID-19.

I have already had COVID. Should I still get vaccinated?
The CDC recommends you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you can catch it more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, it is not clear how long this protection lasts.