Learn about COVID-19 VACCINES:
There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
The messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna are among the first vaccines to be authorized in the United States for emergency use against COVID-19.
There has been ongoing research on mRNA vaccines for many years. The mRNA vaccines have made it easier for researchers to develop vaccines faster than the traditional vaccination methods.
mRNA vaccines have been studied in other viruses such as the flu virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Zika virus.
mRNA vaccines DO NOT use the live virus that can cause COVID-19.
These vaccines signal the body to recognize and protect us from the COVID-19 virus.
They do not interact with our genetic material (DNA).
mRNA vaccines contain specific material from the COVID-19 virus (not the live virus) that gives our cells instructions on how to make a protein that is unique to virus.
Our cells make copies of the unique COVID-19 viral protein and kill the genetic material from the vaccine.
Our bodies recognize the unique protein as foreign and activates our immune system to make special cells that will remember how to fight the COVID-19 virus if we are infected with virus in the future.
Facts about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine:
They are authorized by the FDA for emergency use to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-COV-2.
The Moderna vaccine is recommended for people 18 years of age or older. The Moderna vaccine is given as a 2-dose series, into the muscle. The doses are given 28 days (one month) apart.
The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people 16 years of age and older. It is given as a 2-dose series, into the muscle. The doses are given 3 weeks apart.
The vaccines may prevent you from getting COVID-19 virus. They might not protect everyone.
It is not known how long the vaccines will work to protect you against COVID-19.
It is important to discuss your medical problems and allergy history with the medical staff that will administer the vaccine before taking the vaccine.
Individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine should NOT get this vaccine.
Individuals who have had an immediate reaction or a serious allergic reaction after the first dose of this vaccine should NOT take any additional doses.
Make sure that you ask questions and understand the possible risks of the vaccine.
We have provided some links for more information on facts about the currently available vaccines:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mRNA.html
- Visit CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
- Visit FDA at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcmlegal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization.
- Contact your local or state public health official