A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can help you develop immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, without getting ill. While each type of vaccine works in a different way, all COVID-19 vaccines prompt an immune response so that your body remembers how to fight the virus in the future.
The safety of the COVID-19 vaccines is being closely monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even after a vaccine is authorized for use, vaccine safety monitoring systems continue to watch for side effects.
Here’s what you need to know about the different COVID-19 vaccines:
What vaccines are available?
mRNA vaccine
95% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms
FDA emergency use authorization
Greater than 89% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms
Doesn’t contain eggs, latex or preservatives
mRNA vaccine
94% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms
FDA emergency use authorization
Greater than 90% effective in preventing people with health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, from developing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms
Doesn’t contain eggs, latex or preservatives
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Vector vaccine
66% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms
85% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus with severe illness
FDA emergency use authorization
Doesn’t contain eggs, latex or preservatives
Continues to be recommended by the FDA and CDC after a pause because the benefits outweigh the risks
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How many doses are needed, and when does protection start?
Two doses are needed, 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if needed)
Some protection provided after the first dose
Two doses are needed, 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if needed)
Some protection provided after the first dose
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
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Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People age 16 and older should get the vaccine
People age 18 and older should get the vaccine
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna:
People who’ve had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine’s ingredients or after a prior dose of the vaccine shouldn’t get the vaccine
People who’ve had an immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable medication should be cautious about getting the vaccine
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
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What are the vaccine’s possible side effects?
Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes
Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the arm that was injected, nausea, vomiting and fever
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea
Note: If you received this vaccine within the last three weeks and are experiencing any unexplained new severe symptoms, seek emergency care.
Possible severe symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent stomach pain, severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, chest pain, leg swelling, easy bruising, and tiny red spots on the skin.
If you have any questions or concerns about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your doctor.
