COVID-19 Vaccine
Education Center

No. It is impossible for the vaccines to give you COVID-19. The vaccines do NOT contain live Coronavirus. The vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus. In some people, the vaccine can cause pain at the injection site, fatigue, body aches, and occasionally fever. This is normal, not dangerous, and a sign that the body is building protection against the virus.

No. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way.

Yes. The science behind these vaccines has been researched for years. The vaccines were tested on thousands of people and found to be safe and to protect people from getting COVID-19.

Yes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that pregnant women or people who are breast-feeding who are in the priority groups for vaccination may choose to get vaccinated. They may want to have a discussion with their health care providers before making the decision.

The majority of people with allergies – including people with severe allergies to foods, pets, bee stings, latex, and oral medications – can safely get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have had an allergic reaction to any ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine or injectable medicines, talk to your doctor.

Yes. The CDC actually recommends people with certain underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for severe COVID-19 illness get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to them. Adults with conditions such as lung or heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney or liver disease, and sickle cell disease are at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and are in the New York State priority groups for getting vaccinated.

Yes, you should be vaccinated if you already had COVID-19 infection. The immunity from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies and may not last very long and people can get re-infected.

Yes. Masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene remain important as we continue to battle the pandemic. At this time, we don’t know if getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus to other people.