COVID-19 RESOURCES
Vaccination sites
Finding a vaccination site can seem difficult, but we've streamlined that process for you. To find testing locations near you, click
covid-19 testing sites
As vaccines roll out, it is still incredibly important to take COVID-19 precautions. If you or anyone you know is looking for a COVID-19 test, click
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MORE RESOURCES
Will the vaccine give you COVID-19?
No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
Do I still need the vaccine if I am young and healthy?
Yes. People who are young and healthy can still get infected with COVID-19 and infect others. Although they are less likely to have severe symptoms, young and healthy people can still have bad outcomes from the virus, including hospitalization and death. Some people with mild COVID-19 end up with long-term symptoms too.
Are the vaccine side effects worse than getting COVID-19 itself if I’m young and healthy?
Some people have no side effects. Others have pain or swelling on the arm where they were given their shot; some experience tiredness, headaches, chills, or fever. These symptoms are normal and should go away within a few days. Despite possible side effects, taking the COVID-19 vaccine is still the best way to avoid more serious illness from getting infected with COVID-19.
Can taking the vaccine cause you to test positive for COVID-19?
No. The vaccine does not cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. It takes two weeks after your last shot to build up full immunity in your body. Because of that, you could get infected shortly before or after you get vaccinated because your body did not have enough time to provide protection. In that case, you would test positive on a viral test. While the vaccines are very effective, there is a tiny chance that you could still get infected after you're fully vaccinated. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 after you get vaccinated, you should still get a COVID-19 test.
Will the vaccine change your DNA?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine does not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Can/should people who are pregnant or breastfeeding get vaccinated?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may receive a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you; it is not required to talk to your doctor first. Pregnant people who do get infected with COVID-19 are at increased risk of COVID complications compared to non-pregnant patients, especially if they have comorbidities (additional pre-existing conditions). If you are vaccinated during late pregnancy, it is likely that the antibodies you develop from vaccination will be passed to the fetus through the placenta and may provide some protection against COVID-19.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?
No. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.
If you already got COVID-19 and recovered, do you still need to get the COVID vaccine?
Yes. You should still get vaccinated even if you already had COVID-19 and recovered. While you develop antibodies when you get COVID-19 and recover, experts are still learning how long the protection from those antibodies lasts. It is possible, but rare, to get infected from COVID-19 a second time.
You can get vaccinated once you have no symptoms and are no longer required to isolate. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Why should I get my children vaccinated?
Some people have no side effects. Others have pain or swelling on the arm where they were given their shot; some experience tiredness, headaches, chills, or fever. These symptoms are normal and should go away within a few days. Despite possible side effects, taking the COVID-19 vaccine is still the best way to avoid more serious illness from getting infected with COVID-19.
