COVID-19 vaccine: Common questions answered
Many people have questions about the vaccines. This FAQ can help answer some of those questions.
Q: What vaccines are approved in the United States?
There is currently one vaccine that has been granted full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine — This vaccine is for people age 12 and older. It requires two doses given around 21 days apart. Note that full approval for this vaccine is only for those age 16 and older.
In addition, there are two vaccines that have emergency use authorization from the FDA:
- Moderna vaccine — This vaccine is for people age 18 and older. It requires two injections given around 28 days apart.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine — This vaccine is for people age 18 and older. It requires one dose.
Q: Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines being used in the United States were tested in clinical trials involving many thousands of people to make sure they meet safety standards and protect adults of different races, ethnicities and ages, including adults over the age of 65. During the trials no serious safety issues were found.
Before the vaccines arrived in Washington state, they passed through a number of rounds of review by many U.S. health and safety organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health; as well as independent collaborative of experts from across Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and California.
Q: Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?
No. None of the vaccines being used in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. Around 10 to 15 percent of people who got the vaccine reported reactions like headaches, chills, fatigue, muscle pain or fever lasting for a day or two, particularly after the second dose. These reactions are common when getting a vaccine and are caused by your body creating an immune system response to the virus. Of course, you should always check with your doctor if you are worried about how you are feeling.
Q: If I get a vaccine, how long does it take to work?
It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after you get a vaccine. That means it is possible for a person to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. For the two-dose vaccines, this immunity building is not completed until after the second shot, so it is important for you to get both.
Q: After getting a vaccine, will I test positive on a COVID-19 test?
No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not cause you to test positive if you take a COVID-19 tests. The tests are used to see if you are currently sick with the virus.
Q: If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. There is still not enough information about how long immunity lasts after being sick with COVID-19, so it is important for you to receive the vaccine even if you already had COVID-19.
Q: Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Q: How much does a COVID-19 vaccine cost?
According to the CDC, vaccine doses purchased with taxpayer dollars will be given at no cost to an individual.
Vaccination providers are allowed to charge an administration fee for giving the shot to someone, which is reimbursed by a patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund. At the time you make an appointment you will be asked for the name of your insurance provider, if you have one, but there will be no out of pocket expense for you as an individual when you get your vaccine at MultiCare, regardless of whether you have insurance or not.
Q: Who can get a vaccine?
As of May 12, 2021, everyone in Washington state age 12 and over can now schedule their vaccine appointment. Note that a parent or guardian must accompany patients under the age of 18 to their appointment in order to provide consent for the vaccination.
Q: Where can I get a vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, clinics and other locations. The Washington State Department of Health has a list of locations across the state where the vaccine is being offered. You may get your vaccine at any one of those locations once you are eligible.
MultiCare now offers COVID-19 vaccines to MultiCare patients only. If you are a MultiCare patient who still needs a vaccine, visit our vaccine page for details on how to schedule your vaccine appointment.
Q: After I get the vaccine, can I stop wearing a mask and taking other safety precautions?
We are currently experiencing another COVID-19 surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. It is possible for your to contract COVID-19 even if you are vaccinated, although the vaccine still provides strong protection against you getting seriously sick or needing to be hospitalized. Around 98 percent of the patients who are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 at MultiCare hospitals are unvaccinated.
So, even after you get the vaccine, you should continue to wear a mask around others, wash your hands and practice physical distancing. In the state of Washington everyone, whether you are vaccinated or not, is required to wear a mask indoors in public places. Wearing a mask in crowded outdoor locations, such as a fair or concert, is a also good idea.
Q: What about third doses?
Earlier this month, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people. If you have an illness or are receiving treatment that suppresses your immune system, you should talk with your health care provider to see if a third dose of the vaccine is the right choice for you.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, including updates on vaccine phases and appointment information at MultiCare’s COVID-19 vaccine page.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published Feb. 18, 2021, and updated Aug. 27, 2021
