What’s the benefit of a COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19. Vaccines are highly effective against severe illness.

Am I protected from COVID-19 if I have the vaccine?

All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination gives most people a high level of protection against COVID-19. You should get a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you already had COVID-19.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective?

All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine gives most people a high level of protection against COVID-19 even in people who have already been sick with COVID-19.

Why do some people still get COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated?

Because vaccines are not 100% effective, as the number of people who are fully vaccinated goes up, the number of vaccine breakthrough infections will also increase. However, the risk of infection remains much higher for unvaccinated than vaccinated people.

When does immunity start after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine?

Data released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that COVID-19 protection from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was demonstrated in the clinical trials at about 14 days after the first shot. The FDA said some level of immunity may start sooner, but how much is not certain.

Can you get COVID-19 if you already had it and have antibodies?

It is important to remember that some people with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may become infected after vaccination (vaccine breakthrough infection) or after recovering from a past infection (reinfected).

Do people who have had COVID-19 have more side effects with the vaccine?

If you had COVID-19 before being vaccinated, the first injection may cause more noticeable side effects than for people who have not had the coronavirus. If you have never had COVID-19, you may notice more side effects after the second dose than after the first dose.

Can I get reinfected with COVID-19 after I have been vaccinated in Kentucky?

These findings suggest that among persons with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, full vaccination provides additional protection against reinfection. Among previously infected Kentucky residents, those who were not vaccinated were more than twice as likely to be reinfected compared with those with full vaccination.

Why don’t you get sick after the COVID-19 vaccine?

But you don’t actually get sick because your body is only exposed to a small portion of the virus and not the intact virus that can cause the disease. The antibodies against the spike protein remain in your body and are available and ready to protect you if you’re exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have recovered from COVID-19?

If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 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 even if you’ve already had COVID-19.

Is it normal that I feel worse after second COVID-19 shot?

This is normal and expected, but it doesn’t happen to everyone. Even if you feel worse after the second shot, the side effects should still resolve within a few days.

Why are Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine side effects worse after the second shot?

Side effects from both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are more common after the second dose. This is because your immune system recognizes the virus spike protein from the first dose of the vaccine and mounts a stronger response.

Does your immune system get stronger after COVID-19?

Any time you catch a virus and recover from the illness, you retain antibodies. These antibodies help your body fight off future infections so that you either don’t get sick or have milder symptoms.

How long do COVID-19 antibodies last?

At this time, it is unknown for how long antibodies persist following infection and if the presence of antibodies confers protective immunity.

Can you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you were treated with antibodies or plasma?

If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

What are some of the potential long-term effects of COVID-19?

Known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or more commonly as Long COVID, these conditions affect all ages. Long-term effects include fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, fevers, anxiety and depression.

How does your immune system react after you recover from a viral infection?

After people recover from infection with a virus, the immune system retains a memory of it. Immune cells and proteins that circulate in the body can recognize and kill the pathogen if it’s encountered again, protecting against disease and reducing illness severity.

What medication is not recommended before vaccinations for COVID-19?

It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects. It is not known how these medications might affect how well the vaccine works.

Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a number of professional societies, endorse SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the immunocompromised population. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also recommend a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for severely immunocompromised patients.

What does a positive COVID-19 antibody test result mean?

A positive test result with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody test indicates that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected, and the individual has potentially been exposed to COVID-19.

Can taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before the COVID-19 vaccine reduce its effectiveness?

Because taking over-the-counter painkillers before getting vaccinated may reduce the responsiveness of your immune system and therefore weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine, the CDC does not recommend taking Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

What are some medications that are safe to take with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Taking one of the following medications is not, on its own, a reason to avoid getting your COVID-19 vaccination:

• Over-the-counter medications (non-prescription)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.)