Is the vaccine safe?
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority. Messenger RNA vaccines aren't new. They were developed decades ago and studied continuously by scientists. They are already used against some forms of cancer and researches are studying them for use against Zika, the flu and other viruses. Early in 2020, when researchers learned which virus caused COVID-19, they began designing the mRNA instructions for cells to build the unique spike protein into an mRNA vaccine. Today, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the United States. That means they can be made available to the public during the pandemic.Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. Because the mRNA vaccines don't use the entire virus, and it isn't live, it cannot give you COVID-19.Will the vaccine change my DNA?
No. These vaccines do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Your cells simply “read” DNA like instructions to find out what to protect against.Will vaccines keep me from catching COVID-19?
Vaccination can help protect you from getting COVID-19, but you need two doses of the currently available vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses 2-3 weeks apart. The first dose helps the immune system create a response to the virus. The second dose further boosts the immune response to ensure long-term protection.Can I go hug my friends once I get the vaccine?
It takes about two weeks for you to reach full immunity after you receive the second dose of the vaccine. Until then, you could still catch COVID-19, so you need to continue to take precautions. Even after you receive the vaccine, you still need to:- Wash your hands
- Wear a mask
- Stay at least 6 feet from others in public