Health & Fitness
Your Questions About The COVID-19 Vaccine, Answered
As vaccine rollouts enter new phases, Banner Health is here to address your most pressing concerns.
On Dec. 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, allowing the vaccine to be distributed in the United States. Thanks to a monumental effort by scientists around the world, the U.S. government began vaccinating citizens on Dec. 14, 2020. In the months following the release of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines have also been made available to the public.
Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine requires only one dose. “The development of these vaccines is a monumental medical feat. All three far surpass the FDA’s minimum of 50 percent success rates,” said Dr. Jason Brown, Chief Medical Officer for Banner Pharmacy Services.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was first distributed to health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Vaccine distribution has since moved on to the next phases, and who qualifies is determined by state and county health departments. Please visit your state and county health department website to learn what phase they are in. While the vaccine is distributed, it’s crucial that you and your loved ones continue to maintain proper hygiene, wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing.
Banner Health is ready with COVID-19 resources to provide peace of mind and keep you informed. Keep reading for the answers to some frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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How Does The COVID-19 Vaccine Work?
Several COVID-19 vaccine options are now available to the public, and the vaccines work in varying ways. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. This type of COVID-19 vaccine works by introducing genetic particles called mRNA that help your immune system develop antibodies to the virus. “mRNA can most easily be described as instructions for the cell on how to make a piece of the ‘spike protein’ that is unique to SARS-CoV-2,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “Since only part of the protein is made, it does not do any harm to the person vaccinated, but it is antigenic.”
Antigenic proteins cause your body to produce antibodies, which help you fight the virus. Depending on the specific vaccine you get, you will need a second shot three to four weeks after your first shot to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer. It’s also important to remember that the mRNA strand never enters the cell’s nucleus or affects genetic material.
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The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine differs from other vaccines. It is a viral vector vaccine. “Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus as a vector to deliver instructions, in the form of genetic material (a gene), to a cell,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is important to note that a viral vector vaccine does not cause infection with either COVID-19 or the virus that is used as the vector.
None of the vaccines contain live viruses.
How Was The Vaccine Developed So Quickly?
While it can sometimes take several years to develop a traditional vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccinations were developed so quickly thanks largely to massive amounts of funding for their development on a global scale. Because the virus has so greatly affected the entire world, the COVID-19 vaccines were also given top priority over almost all other products in the pipeline. Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before being authorized for use in the United States.
What Can I Do To Help Protect Myself From COVID-19 While Waiting To Get The Vaccine?
Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands often, avoid often-touched surfaces and stay at least 6 feet away from people outside your household. Because we’re still learning about the kind of protection that the COVID-19 vaccine will provide, you’ll need to continue wearing a mask and taking precautions after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Stay home if you're sick, and do not leave your home except for medical care. If you've been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, you should self-isolate and contact your medical provider about getting tested.
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Do I Need To Get The Vaccine If I Already Had COVID-19?
Yes. Everyone who is eligible should get the vaccine, regardless of whether they had symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.
When Will I Be Eligible To Receive The COVID-19 Vaccine?
Health care personnel and long-term care facility residents were offered the COVID-19 vaccination first in the initial phase of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program while there was limited vaccine supply.
With priority groups vaccinated, the COVID-19 vaccine is now being offered in phases to the general public. Please visit your state and county health department websites or contact them directly to learn what phase they are currently in for the vaccine. These same sites will provide you with instructions on how to schedule your appointment, if you qualify.
What Should I Do After I’ve Been Vaccinated?
After receiving the vaccine, you may be left with a number of questions. Among the most common questions are: Do I still need to wear a mask? Can I gather with friends and family? What side effects might I experience?
As vaccinations continue across the country, yes, it’s still important to remain vigilant about wearing your mask. “We anticipate that the vaccines will make the possibility of spread less likely, but that has yet to be proven,” says Ayrn O’Connor, MD, director of the medical toxicology fellowship at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “Although the vaccines are very effective, their peak protection is not reached for two weeks after the second shot.”
In regard to gathering with friends and family, social distancing and avoiding crowded indoor spaces are still important ways to slow the spread.
Vaccine side effects vary from person to person, but may include soreness and/or swelling at the location of the shot, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, fever and chills. Side effects can last up to a day and a half.
It is not recommended to take over-the-counter medications before your vaccination because it can impact effectiveness of the vaccine, but you can take after to ease symptoms. If you are concerned about potential side effects, or have other questions regarding your post-vaccine health, contact your doctor or health care provider.
The Bottom Line
The COVID-19 vaccination is safe, effective and can help protect you from getting COVID-19. While wearing masks and social distancing are proven ways to help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. We must continue wearing our masks, and keeping our distance while the vaccine is slowly made available to everyone who wants it.
Get The Latest News And Updates On The COVID-19 Vaccine From Banner Health
Sources:
Banner: COVID-19 Vaccine
Banner: Preventing COVID-19
Banner: COVID-19
Banner: How Is The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Different?
Banner: What Can I Do After My COVID-19 Vaccination?
CDC: Understanding And Explaining Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Questions about Vaccine Safety and the Speed of Vaccine Development
CDC: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
CDC: 8 Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program
CDC: Understanding and Explaining mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
CDC: How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
HHS: Fact Sheet: Explaining Operation Warp Speed