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"I decided to get vaccinated for my grandma. She turned 93 years old this year, and although she's relatively healthy, I didn't want to risk anything by potentially exposing her to COVID. My grandma is my best friend and biggest supporter, so it was really hard for me to have to stand 6+ feet apart from her the few times I was able to visit during the worst of the pandemic. Now that we are both fully vaccinated, it feels so amazing to be able to hug her again and spend time with her much more often!" - Ms. Marvin (College Counselor)

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"I got the vaccine because I wanted to feel safe, and I wanted to help others around me feel safe. I've gotten my first dose and I only had an arm ache for a few days. My Parents have gotten both their doses, and my brother recently got the pfizer BioNTech. In doing so, we all feel safer and we know that this is helping us slowly win against covid. Sooner or later, we'll be back to going outside and reaching out to friends and family we haven't seen in a while." - Syeda Begum (12th Grade)

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"My arm hurt the next day, but that's it." - Dr. Huson

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"The Covid 19 Pandemic was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  Seeing how many lives were lost and how it affected so many people globally was devastating. Although we know more now than we did last year about Covid 19, there is still much to learn.  One thing that is certain is that no one is invincible, and it can attack anyone regardless the age.

I feel thankful and grateful to live in a country with some of the best experts in the field.  I trust the Science and I trust our medical experts.  I got the vaccine to protect my family, my friends, my coworkers, myself, and others.  Since the vaccine became available, we have seen the infection rates decrease.  The only way to prevent the spread of the virus is with the vaccine."

"La pandemia de Covid 19 no se parece a nada que haya experimentado. Ver cuántas vidas se perdieron y cómo afectó a tanta gente en todo el mundo fue devastador. Aunque sabemos más ahora que el año pasado sobre Covid 19, todavía hay mucho que aprender. Una cosa que es cierta es que nadie es invencible.  El virus  puede atacar a cualquiera sin importar la edad.
Me siento agradecida de vivir en un país con algunos de los mejores expertos. Confío en la ciencia y confío en nuestros expertos médicos. Recibí la vacuna para proteger a mi familia, a mis amigos, a mis compañeros de trabajo, a mí misma y a los demás. Desde que la vacuna estuvo disponible, hemos visto disminuir las tasas de infección. La única forma de prevenir la propagación del virus es con la vacuna." - Ms. Briceno-Paul

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Mr. Ramos

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Ms. Kollue

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"At first I was a bit hesitant about it, but then my mom got covid and I saw how bad it was. She was the first one to get the vaccine in my family and she felt better than ever. I got the vaccine to protect my health, family, and everyone around me" -Jocelyn O. (11th Grade)

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"Coronavirus: How to Teach Kids About COVID-19 | BrainPOP" YouTube, uploaded by BrainPOP, 23 Mar. 2020, https://youtu.be/GoXxmzKdick

This video teaches about coronavirus in a very simplified way and answers questions such as: What is a virus? Who does it affect most? What can I do to prevent myself or friends and family to get infected? How should I feel emotionally?

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Coronavirus: How to Teach Kids About COVID-19 | BrainPOP

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"I decided to get the vaccine because it was important to not only keep myself safe but everyone else in my family safe. I had done research on the vaccine and asked Ms Blau about it because she taught us about COVID-19 before school went out of session. My experience taking the vaccine was honestly smooth sailing. I went to the local Walgreens and scheduled my appointments. I did not have any acute side effects, I only experienced headaches and increased bowel movements for one day. I always advocate that people should take the vaccine if comfortable and self aware!"- Kim (11th Grade)

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"I have been fully vaccinated for a while now, I got my second dose on May 2nd. The reason I got it was to keep my family safe and make them less nervous about the vaccine if they saw that I got it, basically setting an example. I had most of the symptoms that these articles said I would have which only lasted a day. I would rather have all of these symptoms from the vaccine for just one day than go through that pain for 2 weeks and possibly putting friends and family in danger"- Joana (11th Grade)

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"I have a lot of hope for the vaccine and I think it’ll work perfectly. I haven’t had any side effects at all happen to me so it’s safe to assume that it’s good to take in my opinion. I hope this vaccine puts the world in a better state" -Jeremy (11th Grade)

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"I got it because I knew I was gonna start working in the summer and in case it was in person I wanted to be safe and get the vaccine. I also got it because I surround myself with family a lot and there’s a lot of younger people and elders in my family and I didn’t want to put them in any danger. After I got it I was fine

I was only tired and I had some pain on the arm I got my shot for but other than that I was fine" - Neeha (11th Grade)

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Website and Videos: Vaccine Information (U of Alabama)

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Website and Videos: Vaccine Information (U of Alabama)

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“COVID-19 Vaccine Facts and Figures.” UAB News, uploaded by Savannah Koplon, 26 Jan. 2021, https://www.uab.edu/news/health/item/11813-covid-19-vaccine-facts-and-figures

Source provides general information on COVID-19 as well as vaccination. Describing how the vaccines work and displaying videos that show individuals taking the vaccines

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UAB experts share how the COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna vaccine works and debunk some common vaccine myths.
Thousands of frontline UAB Medicine physicians, nurses, environmental services staff members and more have received the Pfizer vaccine, to date. While all have their own personal reasons for wanting to be vaccinated, the joy and excitement of having this protection has been a key theme each and every day vaccinations take place.

UAB vaccine distribution: by the numbers

To date, UAB has administered: more than 29,000 vaccine doses.

To date, UAB has seen 0 cases of adverse effects from an individual who received their first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

On average, UAB administers nearly 1,000 vaccine doses each day between our drive-thru and on-campus vaccination site.

The Vaccine and How It Works

The active ingredient in the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, is messenger RNA, which is genetic information used to make the spike protein found on the outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The spike protein is the part of the virus that attaches to human cells. The spike protein is recognized by the body's immune system to develop protection from infection.

The spike protein alone cannot cause COVID-19. Once the spike protein is created, it causes the immune system to make antibodies against the virus. These antibodies can then provide protection if a person comes into contact with the virus. mRNA vaccines are non-infectious and do not enter the human cell nucleus, so the mRNA cannot be inserted into human DNA. mRNA vaccines do not have the ability to cause cancer.

All vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection. Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of infection by working with the body's natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease. When germs, such as viruses, invade the body, they attack and multiply. This invasion, called an infection, is what causes illness. The immune system uses several tools to fight infection. The first time the body encounters a germ or virus, it can take several days for the body to make and use all the germ-fighting tools needed to fight the infection. After the infection, the immune system remembers what it learned about how to protect the body against that disease.

While some vaccines, such as flu vaccines, use dead or deactivated virus to imitate the infection, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines currently approved for COVID-19 do not. They use the body's messenger RNA to teach the immune system to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A person cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Myth: Once I have the vaccine, its safe for me to go back to life as it was.

Not exactly. While you will have significant immunity to the virus, data is not conclusive yet as to if people can still transmit the virus to those who are not vaccinated. Until there is significant inoculation across the country - and world - it will be key for everyone to keep wearing masks and social distancing to curb the spread of the virus. Once a majority of people are vaccinated, the virus will eventually tire out since there are not enough hosts to sustain it.

Myth: Many people already have died from the COVID-19 vaccine trials.

No patients have died from receiving any of the vaccines during the trials. One patient in the AstraZeneca trial died; but this person received a placebo, not the actual vaccine.

Myth: If I have had COVID-19, I won't have to get the vaccine because I am already immune.

Most patients develop antibodies after they have COVID-19, but not all patients do. In other coronavirus infections (such as the common cold), we know that these antibodies last only three to four months before we are susceptible to infection again. The vaccine produces a strong immune response and lasts at least four months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that patients who recently had COVID-19 should wait 90 days before receiving the vaccine.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed as a way to control the general population, through either microchip tracking or nano-transducers in our brains.

False. Nanotechnology is the study of extremely small things and can be used across many fields of science. The vaccines do use nanotechnology through lipid nanoparticles that are the fatty molecular envelopes that help strands of mRNA - the genetic messenger for making DNA code into proteins - evade the body's biological gatekeepers and reach their target cell without being degraded. The claim that microchips and nano-transducers are in the vaccine stems from a fake video that suggests Bill Gates claimed to have added this technology to the vaccine through piecemealed pieces of video. This is false.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccines were developed using fetal tissue.

Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine uses cell lines that originated in fetal tissue taken from the body of an aborted baby at any stage of design, development or production.

Myth: I might be allergic to the vaccine, but I won't know until I get it.

The CDC recommends that anyone who receives a COVID vaccine be observed for 15 minutes, while people with a history of anaphylaxis should be observed for 30 minutes. This is to ensure that there are no immediate adverse effects - which are tremendously rare.

However, its recommended that persons who have had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable therapy (intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous) should not receive a COVID vaccine at this time to prevent the potential for an adverse effect.
As members of the community are able to get vaccinated per ADPH guidelines, UAB's drive thru vaccination site helps accommodate those eligible in a quick, safe fashion.
Myth: A vaccine makes you more vulnerable to illness.

This is false. Receiving the vaccine does not make you more susceptible to COVID-19 or other illnesses.

Myth: The timing of the vaccine is suspicious in our political culture.

Operation Warp Speed is incredibly fast in terms of approving vaccines, but this does not mean that the process was not safe. These vaccines have been approved in both the United Kingdom and Canada, which are not part of our political culture.

Myth: There have not been enough tests involving people with underlying conditions.

Patients who are immunocompromised were not included in the initial studies, but we know that patients with underlying conditions are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. The CDC recommends that these individuals may still receive the COVID-19 vaccine unless there is a contraindication (such as an allergy to prior vaccines).

Myth: Vaccines cause autism.

False. Multiple studies have shown that vaccines are incredibly safe and effective in children. Vaccines save lives and prevent both morbidity and mortality from many illnesses. The CDC posted clearly reviewed concerns from parents at www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html.
Photography by: Andrea Mabry, Steve Wood and Lexi Coon

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UAB experts share how the COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna vaccine works and debunk some common vaccine myths. Thousands of frontline UAB Medicine physicians, nurses, environmental services staff members and more have received the Pfizer vaccine, to date.

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https://www.instagram.com/cdcgov/

Social media profile that provides credible health and safety from the Centers for Disease Control

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Kelen, Gabor David, and Lisa Lockerd Maragakis. “COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth Versus Fact.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 14 May 2021, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-myth-versus-fact

This source gathers many myths on COVID-19 heard from the general publics and debunks them with facts. For instances,  a myth about the rush of development of the COVID-19 vaccines compared to the other vaccines in history was debunked by about 8 reasoning.

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Featured Experts:

Updated on March 10, 2022

Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized vaccines for COVID-19, and their distribution has begun, Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention, and Gabor Kelen, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, review some common myths circulating about the vaccine and clear up confusion with reliable facts.

MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine can affect women's fertility.

FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine will not affect fertility. The truth is that the COVID-19 vaccine encourages the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the coronavirus's surface. This "teaches" the body's immune system to fight the virus that has that specific spike protein on it.

Confusion arose when a false report surfaced on social media, saying that the spike protein on this coronavirus was the same as another spike protein called syncitin-1 that is involved in the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The false report said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine would cause a woman's body to fight this different spike protein and affect her fertility. The two spike proteins are completely different and distinct, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the fertility of women who are seeking to become pregnant, including through in vitro fertilization methods. During the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 women volunteers involved in the study became pregnant, and the only one who suffered a pregnancy loss had not received the actual vaccine, but a placebo.

Getting COVID-19, on the other hand, can have potentially serious impact on pregnancy and the mother's health. Learn more about coronavirus and pregnancy. Johns Hopkins Medicine encourages women to reach out to their medical providers to discuss other questions they have about COVID-19 as it relates to fertility or pregnancy.

MYTH: If I've already had COVID-19, I don't need a vaccine.

FACT: Evidence continues to indicate that getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against getting COVID-19, whether you have already had COVID-19 or not.

A study published in August 2021 indicates that if you had COVID-19 before and are not vaccinated, your risk of getting reinfected is more than two times higher than for those who were infected and got vaccinated.

While evidence suggests there is some level of immunity for those who previously had COVID, it is not known how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again. Plus, the level of immunity provided by the vaccines after having COVID-19 is higher than the level of immunity for those who had COVID but were not subsequently vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated provides greater protection to others since the vaccine helps reduce the spread of COVID-19.

At the time of vaccination, be sure to tell your care provider about your history of COVID-19 illness, including the kind of treatment, if any, you received and when you recovered. Wait until your isolation period ends before making an appointment to get the vaccination.

MYTH: Researchers rushed the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, so its effectiveness and safety cannot be trusted.

FACT: Studies found that the two initial vaccines are both about 95% effective - and reported no serious or life-threatening side effects. There are many reasons why the COVID-19 vaccines could be developed so quickly. Here are just a few:

The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna were created with a method that has been in development for years, so the companies could start the vaccine development process early in the pandemic.

China isolated and shared genetic information about COVID-19 promptly, so scientists could start working on vaccines.

The vaccine developers didn't skip any testing steps, but conducted some of the steps on an overlapping schedule to gather data faster.

Vaccine projects had plenty of resources, as governments invested in research and/or paid for vaccines in advance.

Some types of COVID-19 vaccines were created using messenger RNA (mRNA), which allows a faster approach than the traditional way that vaccines are made.

Social media helped companies find and engage study volunteers, and many were willing to help with COVID-19 vaccine research.

Because COVID-19 is so contagious and widespread, it did not take long to see if the vaccine worked for the study volunteers who were vaccinated.

Companies began making vaccines early in the process - even before FDA authorization - so some supplies were ready when authorization occurred.

The COVID-19 Vaccines: What you need to know | Las vacunas anticovid-19: información imprescindible

MYTH: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine means I can stop wearing my mask and taking coronavirus precautions.

FACT: The CDC continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and makes recommendations for wearing face masks, both for those who are fully vaccinated as well as those who are not fully vaccinated.

The CDC also recommends that masks and physical distancing are required when going to the doctor's office, hospitals or long-term care facilities, including all Johns Hopkins hospitals, care centers and offices.

Johns Hopkins Medicine's current mask safety guidelines have not changed, and we still require all individuals to wear masks inside all of our facilities.

MYTH: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine gives you COVID-19.

FACT: The vaccine for COVID-19 cannot and will not give you COVID-19. The two authorized mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to reproduce a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which helps your body recognize and fight the virus, if it comes along. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain the SARS-Co-2 virus, so you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The protein that helps your immune system recognize and fight the virus does not cause infection of any sort.

MYTH: The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous.

FACT: The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can have side effects, but the vast majority are very short term -not serious or dangerous. The vaccine developers report that some people experience pain where they were injected; body aches; headaches or fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If symptoms persist beyond two days, you should call your doctor.

Although very low risk, due to potential blood clots following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC updated its recommendations in December 2021. The CDC noted that the two mRNA vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which remains available for those who prefer it and for use in certain circumstances.

If you have allergies - especially severe ones that require you to carry an EpiPen - discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about if and how you can get vaccinated safely.

Read more about vaccine safety.

MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine enters your cells and changes your DNA.

FACT: The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to help your body's immune system fight the coronavirus. The messenger RNA from two of the first types of COVID-19 vaccines does enter cells, but not the nucleus of the cells where DNA resides. The mRNA does its job to cause the cell to make protein to stimulate the immune system, and then it quickly breaks down - without affecting your DNA.

MYTH: The messenger RNA technology used to make the COVID-19 vaccine is brand new.

FACT: The mRNA technology behind the new coronavirus vaccines has been in development for almost two decades. Vaccine makers created the technology to help them respond quickly to a new pandemic illness, such as COVID-19.

MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed with or contains controversial substances.

FACT: The first two COVID-19 vaccines to be authorized by the FDA contain mRNA and other, normal vaccine ingredients, such as fats (which protect the mRNA), salts, as well as a small amount of sugar. These COVID-19 vaccines were not developed using fetal tissue, and they do not contain any material, such as implants, microchips or tracking devices.

MYTH: Now that we have a vaccine for COVID-19, we can make vaccines for the common cold, HIV and other diseases.

FACT: The thousands of viruses that cause various diseases are very different. Many change (mutate) year by year, making it difficult to develop one vaccine that works for a long period of time.

Developing vaccines for some disease-causing viruses is tough. For example, the virus that causes HIV can hide and make itself undetectable by the human immune system, which makes creating a vaccine for it extremely difficult.

The common cold can be caused by any one of hundreds of different viruses, so a vaccine for just one of them would not be very effective.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Two of our experts review some common myths circulating about the vaccine and clear up confusion with reliable facts.

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NY State. “Governor Cuomo Announces SUNY and CUNY Boards to Require Vaccinations for All Students Attending In-Person Classes This Fall.” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, 10 May 2021, https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-suny-and-cuny-boards-require-vaccinations-all-students-attending. Accessed 27 May 2021.

An article about SUNY and CUNY schools requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the SUNY and CUNY boards will require proof of vaccination for all students attending in-person classes this fall, and encouraged all private universities and colleges to adopt the same guidelines. 112,150 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and nearly 1.1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.

"More than 60 percent of the population here in New York has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, but we remain aggressive in our efforts because the reality is we are seeing a decline in the vaccination rate not only here in our state but nationwide," Governor Cuomo said. "There is no factual argument against the vaccine, and there is no excuse not to get your shot. This vaccine is the weapon that will help us win the war on COVID, and so I urge everyone who still needs to take it to do so quickly at one of our many sites across the state."

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.
STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN
Total doses administered - 16,826,409

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 112,150

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,092,045

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 60.2%

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 48.9%

Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 48.4%

Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 39.1%

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state's vaccination effort.

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at [email protected] . Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

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Governor Cuomo Announces SUNY and CUNY Boards to Require Vaccinations for All Students Attending In-Person Classes This Fall

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the SUNY and CUNY boards will require proof of vaccination for all students attending in-person classes this fall, and encouraged all private universities and colleges to adopt the same guidelines.

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Video: How vaccines work against COVID-19

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Video: How vaccines work against COVID-19

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“How Vaccines Work against COVID-19: Science, Simplified.” YouTube, uploaded by Scripps Research, 18 Dec. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWGTciX795o

This video simplifies how vaccines work to combat viruses such as COVID. It discusses the human's immune system's ability to produce antibodies after identifying a disease and destroying it.

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How vaccines work against COVID-19: Science, Simplified

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Website: COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens (CDC)

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Website: COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens (CDC)

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“COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens.” Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html

This source provides info on COVID-19 Vaccination for children and teens. It lists site where children can get vaccinated, Notes the vaccination is safe proven by studies in adolescents, and possible side effects which may include symptoms of covid, but this indication is a result of the vaccines working properly

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS

CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:

Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19

Get sick from COVID-19

Spread COVID-19 to others.

CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Getting your child or teen vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss. Children 12 years and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine for Your Child

Check your local pharmacy's website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.

Check with your child's healthcare provider about whether they offer COVID-19 vaccination.

Contact your state or local health department for more information.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.

Help Protect Your Child and Your Family

Getting a COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Early information shows that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19 to others. They can also help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 12 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.

Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Get a COVID-19 vaccine for your child as soon as you can. Prepare for your child's vaccination visit.

Get tips for how to support your child before, during, and after the visit.

Talk to your child before the visit about what to expect.

Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have.

Comfort your child during the appointment.

To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, your child should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.

After your child's COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15-30 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.

Possible side effects
Your child may have some side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building protection.

These side effects may affect your child's ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.

Ask your child's healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child. It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.

After you and your child are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, your family can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic. Learn more about what your child and your family can do when you have been fully vaccinated.

Get started with v-safe

Ask your child's about getting started with v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after your child receives a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can report any side effects your child may have after vaccination. V-safe also reminds you to get your child's second dose. Learn more about v-safe.

Cost of vaccines
You will not be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot:

Charge you for the vaccine.

Charge you any administration fees, copays, coinsurance, or the balance of the bill after appropriate reimbursement.

Deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network.

Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination.

Require additional services in order for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; however, additional healthcare services can be provided at the same time and billed as appropriate.

Scam Alert: If anyone asks you to pay for access to vaccine, you can bet it's a scam. Don't share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for an extra fee.

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IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can: Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 Get sick from COVID-19 Spread COVID-19 to others.

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"Getting vaccinated was the best decision I made this year. I feel safer and know that I am helping prevent the spread of this awful virus. The shot was painless, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!" - Ms. Todres

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Video: FDA's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity 

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Video: FDA's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity 

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“COVID-19 Vaccines: A Message from RADM Araojo and FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity.” YouTube, uploaded by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 24 Feb. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gymnt-UeEKc

Short video from a department of the FDA that reassures minorities to take the vaccines. Researchers and scientist from minority backgrounds work around the clock to ensure that the vaccines meet the FDA standards for safety.

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COVID-19 Vaccines: A message from RADM Araojo and FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity