Ever since coronavirus first appeared on our collective radar in early 2020, there seem to be more questions than answers. How does it spread? Why does it affect patients so differently and cause such a wide range of symptoms? How long do the antibodies last? As time passes, researchers are working hard to better understand the answers to all of these questions while also developing a vaccine. Naturally, the introduction of that vaccine has brought forth its own set of questions, and while we are continuing to learn, there are some answers we can provide to your most common concerns.
Will the COVID-19 Vaccine Make Me Sick?
None of the current COVID-19 vaccines use the live virus, and it is not possible for them to cause a patient to become sick. However, it does take a few weeks for immunity to be developed following vaccination, so protection is not immediate and precautions are still necessary to prevent contracting the virus.
Should I Still get the Vaccine if I Already had COVID-19?
We now know that it is possible for patients to become reinfected with COVID-19 after having recovered. We also know that the virus can present serious health risks and may not look the same with each infection. Therefore, receiving the vaccine if possible is wise even for those who have previously had the virus and recovered.
Will the COVID-19 Vaccine Alter my DNA?
No, the vaccine can not impact your DNA in any way. The current vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to teach cells to make a part of a protein unique to COVID-19, so that it can be recognized and destroyed if encountered again in the future. mRNA cannot reach the nucleus of the cell where our DNA is stored.
What Ingredients are Used in the COVID-19 Vaccine?
There are currently two vaccines available from two manufacturers. For complete information regarding ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine, click here. For complete information regarding ingredients in the Moderna vaccine, click here.
What are the Benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of COVID-19. It is also a crucial step in achieving herd immunity – a state in which enough of the population has had or been protected against a virus to make it’s spread from person to person difficult and thereby protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities such as newborns. Protective measures such as social distancing and mask wearing combined with vaccination are the path to ending this pandemic.
To learn more about the current COVID-19 vaccines including facts, FAQs, benefits, and more, click the button below.
