ENGLISH - For a printable copy of all FAQs click here,FAQ 1-02.docx

SPANISH - For a printable copy of all FAQs click here, ES - FAQ 11_29.docx

  • What is in the vaccine?

    The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain a type of acid (mRNA) that provides instructions to our cells to teach them how to fight COVID-19 so we don’t get sick. The acid is stored inside a small amount of lipids (fats) that helps the mRNA slide into your cells. There is also a tiny bit of fat and sugar to help the mRNA stay stable. Instead of mRNA, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine contains a harmless version of a different non-infectious virus that helps that helps your cells learn to fight COVID-19. It also has lipids, salt and sugar.

  • Can people with any religious beliefs take the vaccine?

    Yes. There is no meat, eggs, gelatin, latex, or preservatives that would make the vaccine not kosher or halal. There are no fetal cells in the vaccines.

  • Are there metals or microchips in the vaccine.?

    No. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium, rare earth alloys or any manufactured products such as microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes, or nanowire semiconductors.

  • Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

    No, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. None of the vaccines contain the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • Are the vaccines safe?

    Yes. The vaccines were tested on tens of thousands of people in multiple clinical trials. They meet the FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. They were all found to be very good at preventing people from getting sick with COVID-19

  • Do the vaccines work?

    Yes, all 3 of the vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19. All of the vaccines are at least 80% effective at keeping you from getting severe symptoms if you get infected. The vaccines do a great job keeping people alive and out of the hospital. The CDC looked at COVID-19 hospitalization rates in 13 US states from Jan 24 – July 17, 2021 and found that people who were unvaccinated were 16x more likely to be in the hospital than people who were vaccinated. So instead of getting really sick and ending up in the hospital, fully vaccinated people who catch COVID-19 may have more mundane symptoms like headache, sniffles, or a fever.

  • Does the vaccine change my DNA?

    No. All 3 vaccines deliver instructions to your cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine does not enter the part of your cell where the DNA is located.

  • Do the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility or impotence?

    No. There is no scientific evidence that vaccines cause infertility or impotence. When the vaccine enters your body it works with your immune system to create antibodies to fight the coronavirus. This process does not interfere with your reproductive organs.

  • Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for people who are or who want to be pregnant or breastfeeding?

    Yes. There is no evidence that the vaccine causes any problems with pregnancy. You do not need to stop breastfeeding if you want to get vaccinated. You should check with your doctor if you have any questions.

  • Will I get side effects after getting the vaccine?

    Maybe. Some people get a sore arm, fever, headaches, or fatigue after getting vaccinated. These side effects last for a day or two. The side effects are actually signs that the vaccine is working by teaching your body hot to fight off COVID-19.

  • Can people with severe allergies or other medical conditions get the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Sometimes. First, always consult your health provider if you have any severe allergies or a medical condition. Your health provider can help you make the decision to get vaccinated. In general, if you have allergies, in most cases you can get any of the vaccines with 2 exceptions: 1. If you are allergic to any ingredient in any of the vaccines and 2. If you are allergic to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) or polysorbate. If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable medicine, you should consult your health provider to help you make the decision to get vaccinated

  • If I’ve already had COVID-19, will I still need to get the vaccine?

    Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because: • Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19. • Vaccination helps protect you, your family, and your community even if you’ve already had COVID-19. If you get infected with COVID-19, you can infect other people.

  • What’s a variant?

    A variant is a changed form of a virus. Most viruses change as they get spread around. The changed virus is called a variant. It’s the normal way viruses work. The current COVID-19 variant is called Delta.

  • What do I need to know about the Delta variant?

    The Delta variant spreads really easily between people. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can get the Delta variant. If you are vaccinated and get infected, you can still get mild symptoms (called breakthrough) but the vaccine provides very strong protection against illness or death. You will also spread less of the virus to other people if you are vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated and get infected, you are more likely to get COVID-19 and possibly be very sick. You may have to go into the hospital. You are at a high risk of spreading the virus to many other people.

  • What is the booster shot and why do I need it?

    You might have heard of a booster shot. A booster shot is a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine that is given to someone who has built up protection after the first or second vaccination, but then that protection may decrease over time. You might have heard of a booster shot. A booster shot is a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine that is given to someone who has built up protection after the first or second vaccination, but then that protection may decrease over time. For people 18 and older who got the 2 Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, a booster shot is recommended at least 6 months after the second dose. For people 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster shot is recommended at least 2 months after the first shot. It doesn't matter which vaccines you got the first time, you can get any vaccine for your booster shot.

  • Should I get my child vaccinated?

    Yes. The CDC recommends vaccines for children ages 5 and older. They can get the Pfizer vaccine. It is the only one that is approved for children. The Pfizer vaccine is safe and creates strong protection against COVID-19. Vaccinating children will help your child be safe from COVID and will also keep your child from spreading COVID-19 to others. A child may have the same side effects as an adult like a sore arm, low fever, or tiredness. Serious side effects are very rare and are usually mild. Check with your child’s healthcare provider if you have more questions.

  • After I get the vaccine, can I stop wearing my mask?

    Sometimes. You should still wear your mask when you’re inside a public place like the grocery store or school. You should also wear a mask when you’re indoors with people who do not live in your household. You should also wear your mask when business or workplaces require, and on all public transportation. You can take your mask off when you’re outdoors unless you’re in a particularly crowded place. People who are vaccinated can still get a mild COVID-19 infection so it’s better to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask.

  • Do I need to be a US citizen to get a vaccine?

    No. you do not need to be a US citizen to get the vaccine. The vaccine is available to anyone in the US even if you are undocumented. You will not be asked about your immigration status. Any personal data that is collected (like your name and date of birth) will only be used for public health purposes and will not be shared with any law or enforcement agency.

  • How much does the vaccine cost?

    The vaccine is free. There is no charge to you whether or not you have insurance.

  • What do I need to bring to a vaccine appointment?

    You may be asked for identification, like your driver’s license or state-issued ID card. If you don’t have either of these, you may be asked to provide a letter, statement, or utilitiy bill with your current address or a letter from a church, organization, or health provider that knows you that says you live in Georgia. You may be asked for your social security card, but a social security card is not required to get a vaccine. You do not have to share this information with anyone who is giving you the vaccine. If you have insurance, you will be asked for your insurance card. If you don’t have insurance, you can still get a vaccine.

  • How do I get a vaccine? Do I need to make an appointment?

    https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19/covid-vaccine https://www.vaccines.gov/ Some places require an appointment, and others are walk-in. You should check with the location before you go. You should also check to make sure about their hours and days of operation.

  • Why are vaccinated people still getting COVID?

    Breakthrough infections are expected. COVID-19 Vaccines are effective at preventing most infections, but no vaccine is 100% effective against getting infected with COVID-19. But they are VERY effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. We know that people who are unvaccinated are 19 x more likely to end up in the hospital with severe illness than people who are vaccinated. The risk of getting infected is much lower in vaccinated people.

  • What precautions should I take if I don’t want to or can’t get vaccinated?

    If you’re not vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. You should wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated. You should wear a mask on public transportation and in the workplace or other community/faith-based places. You should practice social distancing at all times

  • Was the COVID-19 vaccine developed too quickly? Why is there no vaccine for cancer or HIV?

    Cancer is many diseases and each one of them is different. There actually IS a vaccine for some cancers. It is the HPV Vaccine and it provides safe and effective protection against a very common virus that can lead to cancer. Those cancers that are caused by this virus include cervical and throat cancer. The HPV vaccine is now a part of regular childhood vaccines, like measles or chickenpox vaccines. There are thousands of viruses and some are easier to build vaccines against than others. HIV has been one of the most difficult viruses to build a vaccine against. COVID is an easy virus to build a safe and effective vaccine against.

  • Is natural immunity better than vaccine immunization?

    No. The data is clear: Natural immunity is not better. The COVID-19 vaccines create more effective and longer-lasting immunity than natural immunity from infection. • More than a third of COVID-19 infections result in zero protective antibodies • Natural immunity fades faster than vaccine immunity • Natural immunity alone is less than half as effective than natural immunity plus vaccination

  • If I was infected with COVID how long should I wait until I get the vaccine?

    You should wait until your quarantine period is over. Usually, that is 14 days.

  • How do we know if there aren't going to be long term effects?

    Serious side effects following a vaccine are extremely unlikely. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects usually happen within 6 weeks of getting a vaccine. That’s why the FDA required that the COVID vaccines be studied for 8 weeks after the final dose. Millions of people have gotten the COVID vaccine and no long-term side effects have been detected.

  • Why do I need to wear a mask if I take the vaccine?

    Even if you’re vaccinated, you can still get COVID. Getting a vaccine doesn’t mean you’ll never get COVID. It means you’re much less likely to get really sick from COVID and have to be hospitalized. Getting COVID when you’re already vaccinated is sometimes called a breakthrough infection. You might be infected with COVID but not have any symptoms. So it’s always better to be safe when you’re indoors in a crowded place (like a grocery store) or with someone who could get really sick from COVID (like an elder or child under the age of 5) and wear a mask.

  • What is the Omicron variant?

    We now know more about this variant. In your training, you learned that it is normal for viruses to change quickly and become variants. Some variants – like the Delta variant – are highly transmissible which means they are very contagious and very easy for people to catch if they are in contact with a person who is sick with COVID-19. The Delta variant can make you sicker, especially if you are not vaccinated. Omicron is also highly transmissible, but it makes you LESS sick, especially if you are vaccinated. The difference between Delta and Omicron is that the Omicron variant rarely makes its way into your lungs, so the symptoms are more in your throat, nose, and head. Vaccines are very effective against getting very sick from all versions of COVID-19. The CDC recommends doing whatever we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. • Wear a mask in public indoor settings • Stay at least 6 feet away from other people (social distancing) • Get fully vaccinated including a booster shot. Everyone ages 5 and older can get fully vaccinated.

  • When Are People with COVID Most Contagious?

    The CDC says that the spread of COVID-19 often happens one to two days before the onset of symptoms and during the two to three days afterward. Data shows that after seven days there's virtually no risk of spreading COVID-19. There should always be more concern if you are around people who are not vaccinated or who have underlying medical conditions, but the risk of infecting someone else drops a lot between 5-7 days.

  • What are the new guidelines for quarantine and isolation?

    If you test positive for COVID, you should stay home for 5 days whether or not you have symptoms (the previous rule was 10 days). At the end of 5 days, if you have no symptoms you can return to normal activities but should wear a mask everywhere (including at home) for at least 5 more days (even at home!!). OR…at the end of 5 days, if you still have symptoms, stay home until you feel better and THEN start your 5 days of wearing a mask everywhere (even at home!) The CDC website has some more detailed rules, but these are the basics. You can find the CDC detailed guidelines by clicking here. There are no guidelines yet about getting re-tested to see if you no longer have COVID after the new quarantine period.