COVID-19 Vaccine
LET SCIENCE CALL THE SHOTS!
In the news:
Vidhya Prakash, MD, is a professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield who specializes in infectious diseases. "I do want to emphasize that while it (vaccine development and approval) was done in a record period of time, it was done very, very carefully and through all the proper channels and processes," she said. "This vaccine is safe. And it is necessary both to protect individuals and to protect the public."
While wide-scale vaccination is a key to an eventual return to "normalcy," Prakash said, "I would really caution that once you get the vaccine you absolutely need to continue to wear a mask and wash your hands and watch your distance for the foreseeable future." Prakash said health experts will be monitoring data to know when mitigation efforts can be scaled back. "But I anticipate it is going to be a while before we get there."
Michael Olson, PhD, is an assistant professor at SIU School of Medicine. He said people should know the vaccine does not contain a live virus. In both versions of the vaccine, the key ingredient is messenger RNA, which helps trigger an immune response within the body. "There is no chance whatsoever of developing COVID or spreading COVID from receiving the vaccine," said Olson.
He said he gets questioned by his family and friends about whether they should get vaccinated. "I have that conversation regularly. And my answer is, when the vaccine is available and it's your turn, I would get it."
Fact | Fiction |
---|---|
COVID-19 vaccines may cause mild side effects for a day or two | Vaccines cause severe side effects. |
Early evidence suggest your immunity may not last, so the vaccine is recommended. | I tested positive for COVID-19, so I don't need a vaccine. |
The process for creating the vaccine was accelerated, but followed standard safety protocols. | The COVID-19 vaccines were produced too fast to be safe. |
Here are a few resources in regards to the COVID-19 Vaccination:
- After you get vaccinated, use this handout to share data with the CDC through v-safe.
- Fact sheet for Moderna recipients -18 years of age and older
- Fact sheet for Pfizer recipients - 12 years of age and older
- Fact sheet for Pfizer recipients - 5 years of age through 11 years of age
- Fact sheet for J&J/Janssen recipients - 18 years of age and older