COVID-19 Vaccine

Moderna Vaccine FAQs

Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting infected and severely ill, and significantly reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and death.

Will the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?

No. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine which does not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

Pfizer Vaccine FAQs

Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, which protects you from getting sick with COVID-19.

Will the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?

No. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine which does not wondering that! change or interact with your DNA in any way.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines approved in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

How did the FDA determine the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine for use in kids ages 12-15?

The FDA reviewed a study of more than 2,200 U.S. children ages 12 through 15. Of this group, about half were given the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The other children were given an inactive (placebo) shot.

A week after the second dose was given, research showed no cases of COVID-19 in the 1,005 children given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Among 978 children given the placebo, there were 16 cases of COVID-19. None of the children had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. The results suggest that the vaccine is 100% effective at preventing COVID-19 in this age group.

What are the side affects of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 12-15?

Children ages 12 through 15 given the Pfizer vaccine had similar side effects to those ages 16 and older. The most commonly reported side effects include:

Pain where the shot was given, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever, joint pain.

Similar to adults, children have side effects that typically last 1 to 3 days. More adolescents reported these side effects, except for injection site pain, after the second dose of the vaccine. However, many people have no side effects.

How does dosage work for children? What should a parent do if a child turns 12 after they get their first dose of the vaccine but before the second dose is due?

As opposed to many medications, vaccine dosages are based on age and not size or weight. If a child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose and receives the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for their second dose, they do not need to repeat the dose.

Is this Pfizer vaccine the same one that's given to adolescents and adults?

The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents. However, the vaccine for children comes in a different vial with a different color cap. The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine that is given to adults and adolescents cannot be used for children ages 5 through 11 years. Children ages 5 through 11 will receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third of what adolescents and adults receive. Smaller needles, designed specifically for children, are used for children ages 5 through11 years. COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight but by age on the day of vaccination. Children are still required to get two doses three weeks apart to be considered fully vaccinated.

Vaccine/Booster FAQs

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

While COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly, all steps were taken to make sure they are safe and effective:

Approach to Development – Scientists have been working for many years to develop vaccines against viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. This knowledge helped speed up the initial development of the current COVID-19 vaccines.
Clinical Trials – All vaccines in the United States must go through three phases of clinical trials to make sure they are safe and effective. During the development of COVID-19 vaccines, phases overlapped to speed up the process, but all phases were completed.
Authorization or Approval – Before vaccines are available to people, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assesses the findings from clinical trials. FDA determined that three COVID-19 vaccines met FDA’s safety and effectiveness standards and granted those vaccines Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs)external icon. This allowed the vaccines to be quickly distributed to control the pandemic. Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 vaccine has now been FDA approvedexternal icon for people ages 16 years and older. Read more about the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive FDA approvalexternal icon.
Manufacturing and Distribution – The U.S. government has invested substantial resources to manufacture and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. This allowed vaccine distribution to begin as soon as FDA authorized each vaccine.
Tracking Safety Using Vaccine Monitoring Systems – COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring has been the most intense and comprehensive in U.S. history. Hundreds of millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines. Through several monitoring systems, CDC and FDA continue to provide updated information on the safety of these vaccines.

Will any of the three vaccines alter my DNA?

No. None of the vaccines are able to alter your DNA. All three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease.

Can the vaccine give me a COVID-19 infection?

No, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine; however, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. This means it is possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

How do I know if I am eligible for vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people age 5 years and older in the United States for the prevention of COVID-19.. COVID-19 vaccinations are free of charge. Vaccinations are available at a number of locations across the City of Detroit, and at the TCF Center. You may schedule an appointment by calling: (313) 230-0505. Translation services are available for those who speak Spanish.

Why do some people get symptoms after getting the vaccine?

The goal for the vaccine is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

Can women who are pregnant get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant may be offered the vaccine, in consultation with their health care provider.

Do I need to keep wearing a mask after I get vaccinated?

Yes. Individuals should continue to wear masks, social distance from those not in their household and wash their hands, even after receiving vaccine. You can spread the disease even if you have been vaccinated and even if you do not have symptoms.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine help me even if I’ve already been infected with COVID-19?

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19, its variants, and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they had COVID-19 before.

Will the vaccine prevent me from catching the B.1.1.7 and other variants of COVID-19?

There is promising evidence to suggest that the current vaccines will protect you from most variants, or mutations, of COVID-19 that are currently spreading in the United States. It is possible that some variants might cause illness in some people after they are vaccinated. However, if a vaccine is found to be less effective, it could still offer some protection. Researchers are monitoring how the new COVID-19 variants may affect how vaccines will work in real-world scenarios.

What is the difference between third shot and booster?

The difference is that immunocompromised people should receive the additional third dose 28 days after they received their second shot. Pfizer and Moderna are approved for third shots. The booster is for everyone else that would want the third dose after six months. Pfizer is approved only for boosters.

Who is eligible for Booster?

As of January 10, 2022, the City of Detroit is now offering Pfizer booster doses to everyone ages 12+, following approval by the Food &Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Additionally, the CDC has recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for immunocompromised children ages 5+, to be provided 28 days after completing their initial series. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for children 5-17 and adults 18 and older can get a booster for any the three available vaccines.

What are the side effects of the booster?

Among those people who reported side effects, it included local reactions (including itching, pain, or redness at the injection site), some reported systemic reactions (mostly fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches), typically the day after the shot.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect getting the Flu Vaccine?

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, and possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.

Should my child get vaccinated?

Yes, COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Although fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick from COVID-19, and can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Getting your child vaccinated helps to protect your child and your family. Vaccination is now recommended for everyone 5 years and older. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is the only one available to children 5 years and older.

COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, including studies in children 12 years and older. Your child cannot get COVID-19 from any COVID-19 vaccine. Like adults, children may have some side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

Can people mix and match vaccine brands for their booster shot?

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Locations by appointment for 6 months old and up

Appointment & Walk-In Locations for ages 12 and above

Resources:

Watch: Detroit Physicians Answer Questions at Telephone Town Hall

Detroit Health Department Vaccinations Team:

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Moderna Vaccine FAQs

Pfizer Vaccine FAQs

Vaccine/Booster FAQs

What you should know about COVID-19 Vaccine and Boosters