Many people have questions and concerns regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Please review below to read through some commonly asked questions and answers about the vaccine.
1. How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
2. How many shots do I need to get for it to work?
3. Is the vaccine safe to take?
4. What are common side effects?
5. Were people of color included in the vaccine trial?
6. Can I catch COVID-19 from taking the vaccine?
7. How long does it take for the COVID-19 vaccine to work?
8. Is there a group of people that shouldn’t take the vaccine?
9. Do I have to pay for the vaccine?
10. Should I take the vaccine if I already had COVID-19?
11. How long do I have to wait to get the vaccine after testing positive for COVID-19?
12. What if I had a really bad reaction to a flu vaccine in the past? Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?
13. What about long-term effects?
How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is made from messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) which helps the body make antibodies to fight the virus. There is no active virus in the vaccine.
How many shots do I need to get for it to work?
The vaccine is taken as 2 shots into the muscle of the arm, given 3-4 weeks apart. Both shots must be taken to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Side effects are minor. The vaccine was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency authorization use. The decision to approve the vaccines is based on the scientific evidence that shows the vaccine may prevent COVID-19.
• Fever
• Chills
• Tiredness
• Body aches
• Pain and swelling at the injection site
Were people of color included in the vaccine trial?
More than 30,000 people at 100 clinical research sites in the United States are participating in the study. 37% of trial volunteers are ethnic minorities.
Can I catch COVID-19 from taking the vaccine?
No, but you may experience some flu-like symptoms for 2-3 days which are a sign that your body is building immunity to COVID-19. The vaccine will not make you test positive for COVID-19.
How long does it take for the COVID-19 vaccine to work?
Your body will reach its fullest protection about 2 weeks after you receive the second shot. It is encouraged that until, and even after this time you continue to practice social distancing and to wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
Is there a group of people that shouldn’t take the vaccine?
Individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should not take the vaccine. COH staff will review your medical history with you before you receive the vaccine. The vaccine does not contain any shellfish, eggs, latex, preservatives, antibiotics, or products of human or animal origin.
Do I have to pay for the vaccine?
The vaccine is offered for free. The cost of giving you the shot will be billed to your insurance. Most insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare, will cover this cost so there is no out-of-pocket cost for patients. For COH patients who don’t have insurance or are eligible for our sliding fee discounts, COH will cover the cost of the vaccine.
Should I take the vaccine if I already had COVID-19?
Yes. Because there is limited data on who can get reinfected and when, it is recommended to still get the vaccine.
How long do I have to wait to get the vaccine after testing positive for COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19 you should wait to get vaccinated until after you feel better and are finished with your quarantine.
What if I had a really bad reaction to a flu vaccine in the past? Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you’ve had a severe reaction to any vaccine in the past, it’s best that you review your history with your doctor prior to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Your provider may recommend that you can still get the vaccine but should stay at the doctor’s office for 30 minutes after getting the shot so we can make sure you are okay.
There is not much data regarding long term side effects given that the vaccine was just developed over the last year. However, mRNA technology has been studied in other vaccines and other medical therapies for many years.
