COVID-19 vaccines


Definition

COVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who are pregnant and those planning to become pregnant. You should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine even if you have already had COVID-19.

Alternative Names

Vaccines for COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccinations; COVID-19 shots; Vaccinations for COVID-19; COVID-19 immunizations; COVID-19 prevention - vaccines; mRNA vaccine - COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccine booster shots; Booster shots for COVID-19

Information

HOW COVID-19 VACCINES WORK

COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting COVID-19 and from getting more severe symptoms if they do get COVID-19. These vaccines "teach" your body how to defend against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to do a very good job of:

mRNA VACCINES

The mRNA vaccines approved in the United States work differently from many other vaccines.

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is given as an injection (shot) in the arm. The 2024-2025 mRNA vaccines protect against the current strains of the COVID-19 virus.

SUBUNIT VACCINE

The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine. The vaccine includes harmless pieces of the "spike" protein that causes COVID-19. The vaccine triggers the body to develop antibodies to protect you from the virus. The 2024-2025 Novavax vaccine also protects against current strains of the COVID-19 virus.

VACCINATION SCHEDULE

The vaccination schedule is based on your age, vaccination history, and whether you are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

People who recently had COVID-19 may delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine for 3 months. You are much less likely to get COVID-19 in the weeks and months after having the virus. You may choose to get the vaccine sooner if you or someone in your family are at severe risk of illness or if there are high local rates of COVID-19.

VACCINE MYTHS

COVID-19 vaccines:

To get up-to-date accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:

VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS

While COVID-19 vaccines will not make you sick, they may cause certain side effects and flu-like symptoms. This is normal. These symptoms are a sign that your body is making antibodies against the virus.

Side effects can vary from person to person. Common side effects include:

Some side effects from the shot may affect your ability to do daily activities, but any side effects will go away in a few days. Any side effects from the vaccine are far less dangerous than the potential for serious illness or death from COVID-19.

HOW TO GET THE VACCINE

There are several ways you can look for vaccination providers near you.

Learn what to expect when you get your COVID-19 vaccine.

VACCINE SAFETY

The safety of vaccines is the top priority, and COVID-19 vaccines have passed rigorous safety standards before approval. Millions of people have received the vaccine, and no long-term side effects have been reported. They continue to be closely monitored to ensure they are safe and effective.

There have been reports of some people who have had an allergic reaction to the current vaccines. So it is important to follow certain precautions:

If you have had an allergic reaction, even if not severe, to other vaccines or injectable therapies, you should ask your provider if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Your provider will help you decide if it is safe to get vaccinated.

Serious health events from COVID-19 vaccines, such as an allergic reaction, are rare. Adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination are very rare.

Rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) have been reported in children and teens ages 5 years and older after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

This reaction has tended to occur more often in male adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 39 years. However, it has also occurred in females, in other age groups, after other doses, and after receiving the Novavax vaccine.

Symptoms of myocarditis and pericarditis include:

If your child or teenager has any of these symptoms, get medical help right away.

All these associations are so rare that they should not cause hesitation in receiving any of these vaccines.

CDC recommends that people may still get vaccinated if they have a history of:

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine Safety. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/covid-19.html. Updated July 31, 224. Accessed September 24, 2024. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Benefits of getting vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/benefits.html. Updated September 3, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/. Updated September 10, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19 vaccination for people who would like to have a baby. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/planning-for-pregnancy.html. Updated September 10, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Interim clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html. Updated September 6, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/myths-facts.html. Updated August 30, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Updated September 11, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Interim clinical considerations. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html. Updated September 6, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

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