COVID-19 Vaccine

Yes.  While many people with COVID-19 have only a mild illness, others may get a severe case or they may even die.  There is no way to know in advance how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not at increased risk of severe complications. 

Also, if you get infected, you may spread the disease to friends, family and others around you.  COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness. The sooner most people are vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 disease, the sooner New Mexicans and all Americans can get back to normal life.

Clinical trials involving many thousands of participants are used to investigate possible COVID-19 vaccines.  These studies generate scientific data and other information that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses to determine vaccine safety and effectiveness.

After the FDA makes its determination, an independent group of scientific experts – the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – reviews available data before making vaccine recommendations to the CDC.

Both of these processes have been completed for two different vaccines:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
• Moderna, Inc. Vaccine

That means that the scientific data from the research on each of these vaccines has been reviewed by two independent teams of experts.

Even after this approval, vaccine safety monitoring systems watch for adverse events (possible side effects).  If an unexpected adverse event is observed, experts quickly study it further to assess whether it was caused by the vaccine and whether it is a true safety concern. 

You can read more about the many strategies for ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States at the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html

For every vaccine approved for use by the FDA and ACIP, the site provides information on safety, effectiveness, recommended populations to receive the vaccine, and side effects, if any.

The CDC offers this guide to check sources, including websites, that contain information about COVID-19 vaccines.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/evalwebs.htm

Yes. Providers who will be giving vaccines are practicing measures to diminish the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities.

No.  Vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States won’t cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have current infection.

If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests.  These tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.

The CDC offers this guide to check sources, including websites, that contain information about COVID-19 vaccines.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/evalwebs.htm

Two vaccines have completed development and been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  These are the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna, Inc. Vaccine.

Multiple additional COVID-19 vaccines are under development.  Many of these vaccines are in large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States. During Phase 3 trials, scientists give the vaccine to thousands of people to see how many become infected, compared with volunteers who receive a placebo.  These trials can determine if the vaccine is safe and protects against COVID-19.

Phase 3 trials are designed to reveal evidence of relatively rare side effects that might have been missed in earlier studies. In addition, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers include members of different gender, age, race and ethnicity groups in Phase 3 trials to ensure vaccine effectiveness and safety across diverse populations.

Two vaccines have been granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  The first is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.  It requires TWO shots: a first shot, followed by a second shot 21 days later.

The second vaccine is from Moderna, Inc.  It requires TWO shots: an initial shot, followed by a second shot 28 days later.

Regardless of which vaccine you receive, the second dose needs to be from the same manufacturer.

All but one of the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States require TWO shots – over a period of time — to be effective.

Johnson & Johnson is working on a vaccine that that only requires a single shot.

For vaccines in development that require a two-dose series, the second shot is needed to give maximum immunity.

The New Mexico Department of Health uses the New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System (NMSIIS) to collect information on vaccine doses given within the state. NMSIIS has a feature that will send a reminder message on when to get a second dose. Your vaccination provider may also send you a reminder notice and give you a card reminding you when you will be due for your second shot.

Yes. CDC recommends that during the pandemic people wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when in contact with others outside your household, when in healthcare facilities, and when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. Wearing a mask helps protect health care workers who are giving the shot as well as other patients.

There is not enough information currently available to say that it’s safe to stop wearing a mask after getting the vaccine.  A mask protects you, and it also protects your family, friends and community.  You should continue to  wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands regularly  when around people outside your household.

We won’t know how long immunity lasts until we have a vaccine and more data on how well it works.