The Minnesota Department of Health has shared these facts about the Covid-19 vaccine. What you should know about Covid-19 Vaccines.
Many people have questions and concerns about the new Covid-19 vaccines. This is normal. This document gives you the facts on Covid-19 vaccines.
No safety steps have been skipped in making the Covid-19 vaccines. Covid-19 vaccines have gone through the same safety steps and studies as other vaccines. Medical researchers were able to make the vaccines quickly because of years of earlier research and money from the federal government.
Covid-19 vaccines work for everyone ages 16 and older. All Covid-19 vaccines were tested in clinical studies with tens of thousands of people of different ages, races, and ethnicities to make sure they were safe and effective.
The Covid-19 vaccines cannot change your DNA. The mRNA (messenger RNA) in the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines is not able to change or modify a person’s genetic makeup (DNA), because it never enters the center of cells, which is where DNA is made. After the mRNA does its job, it is destroyed by the body.
The Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine does not have fetal tissue in it. This vaccine is made using a harmless cold virus, called an adenovirus. The cold virus is grown on fetal cells collected decades ago that have been maintained by the vaccine maker. Many faith groups and bioethical institutes have stated that people may ethically receive this vaccine when other vaccines are not available.
Covid-19 vaccines do not contain microchips. The new Covid-19 vaccines do not contain microchips to track or monitor people.
Covid-19 vaccines do not have preservatives, eggs, or pork products. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain: latex; preservatives; or any animal byproducts, including pork products or gelatin. The vaccines are not grown in eggs and do not contain egg products.
Pregnant people can get vaccinated. The current data we have show that the Covid-19 vaccines do not impact the fetus or cause miscarriages. We encourage anyone who is pregnant to talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated to understand the benefits and risks of vaccination.
Covid-19 vaccines do not cause infertility. If you would like to have a baby someday, you can get the Covid-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect.
Get vaccinated even if you already had Covid-19. We do not know how long immunity from having Covid-19 lasts, and we do not know if immunity varies based on how sick you were. We also do not know how variants may affect people who have had Covid-19.
You cannot get Covid-19 from the vaccine. Vaccines do not have any Covid-19 virus in them.
Side effects after the vaccination are mild. Side effects are mild compared to having Covid-19. Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given; having headaches; feeling achy; tiredness; and low-grade fevers mean your body is responding to the vaccine. It is also fine if you do not have any side effects. Each person responds differently to vaccines.
The Covid-19 vaccine is free. No matter your insurance or immigration status, you should not be charged.
The best vaccine is the first vaccine offered to you. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get now. Whatever vaccine is available is the best choice. All the Covid-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness from Covid-19, meaning someone will most likely not have to go to the hospital if they get Covid-19 after they are vaccinated, and they are much less likely to die from Covid-19.