The Allegany County Department of Health (ACDOH) would like to answer frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccine:
Is the vaccine safe and effective?
After a COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use by the FDA, many vaccine safety monitoring systems watch for possible side effects. This ongoing monitoring can pick up on adverse events that may not have been seen in clinical trials. If an unexpected adverse event is seen, experts quickly study it further to see if it is a true safety concern. Experts then decide whether changes are needed in US vaccine recommendations. New York State added an extra level of review before recommending the vaccine to New Yorkers. Two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by both the FDA and NYS’s independent clinical advisory task force.
The two approved vaccines for the novel coronavirus include Pfizer and Moderna. Will the vaccine give me COVID?
No. None of the vaccines being studied are made up of materials that can cause disease. The vaccine uses a harmless part of the virus’s genetic material called “mRNA,” that is not the virus, and teaches your body to recognize the virus. Your body creates antibodies against specific proteins that will help you fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if you are exposed. This is called an immune response.
Will the vaccine make me sick?
You may not notice any changes in how you feel after getting the shot. It is also possible to feel a little “under the weather.” This can happen after any vaccine. It is the body’s immune response to getting vaccinated and a sign the vaccine is starting to work. You may have a sore arm where you get the shot, a headache, chills, fever, or tiredness. Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers may help. You should feel better in a day or two. If you still don’t feel well after two or three days, talk to your healthcare provider.
Additional COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions is available at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions. If you have general COVID-19 questions, please call the Allegany County Department of Health at (585)268-9250 for more information.
