FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccines

Many people have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Here are some answers to these questions based on the current research and advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible people. The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. have been shown to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. Information from clinical studies show that vaccination provides protection from infection from the virus or can prevent more serious disease, if infected. If you have had COVID-19, it is still unknown how long and to what extent you are protected after recovering from COVID-19, and it is possible to be infected with COVID-19 again. So even if you had COVID-19 you should still get vaccinated.

Who should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

Individuals with a history of these reactions should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine:

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose
• Any immediate allergic reaction after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to an ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine
• Known (diagnosed) allergy to an ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine.

Individuals with these conditions may receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but should contact their health care provider for more information:

• Immunocompromised (problems with your immune system)
• Received monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19
• Received convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19.

How long does it take for protection from the vaccine to kick in?

Protection from the vaccine is considered fully developed two weeks after your final COVID-19 shot (two weeks after the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine and 2 weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine).

What can I do once I am fully vaccinated?

Current CDC recommendations state that fully vaccinated people can:

• Resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except when required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
• Travelers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) are NOT required to wear a mask on all planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the U.S., but may chose to do so
• Travel in the U.S. without testing before or after
• Travel in the U.S. without quarantining afterward
• Travel internationally without a pre-travel test (depending on destination)
• Travel internationally without quarantining afterward in the U.S.

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Are COVID-19 vaccines still being studied?

Researchers have reported that these vaccines are effective to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19 and also to reduce the spread of the disease. However, more study is needed to know how long the vaccines will protect people from COVID-19 and how well they protect against changes in the virus over time.

Can a child under 12 years old receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Children from aged 6 months to 12 years and older can receive either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Boosters are recommended for those aged 5 years and older who are eligible. See the CDC website for more information about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children.

Summary

Even if you have had COVID-19, it is still important to get vaccinated. The vaccine remains recommended for everyone unless you have a history of the specific allergic reactions mentioned above or if your doctor tells you not to be vaccinated. It does take two weeks after your final COVID-19 shot to develop full protection. Recommendations from the CDC may change as experts continue to learn more about COVID-19 from clinical studies and from monitoring disease activity.

See also:

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