Is There A Risk Of Developing Covid
No. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines approved in the United States do not contain any live virus, weakened virus, dead virus or any infectious element, so there is no way for the vaccine to give you Covid-19. The best way to understand the mRNA vaccines is that they carry a set of instructions to teach your bodys immune system how to attack the coronavirus. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a different technology to send similar instructions.Tara Parker-Pope
Under Which Circumstances Should I Not Be Vaccinated
All vaccines can lead to allergic reactions. These include both short-term local hypersensitivity reactions after vaccination and serious potentially life-threatening immediate reactions . The Paul Ehrlich Institute, which is responsible for the safety assessment of vaccines in Germany, states the average frequency of anaphylactic reactions after administration of vaccines currently licensed in Germany to be 0.4 to 11.8 per 1 million vaccine doses.
Based on the currently available data, the Paul Ehrlich Institute estimates that there is no generally increased risk of serious adverse effects for persons with known diseases from the atopic-allergic group including hay fever and dust mite allergy) after vaccination with Comirnaty or COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna.
What If I Cant Get The Second Dose On Time Or I Forget To Go
Both the vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and from Moderna have two doses. Pfizer-BioNTechs second dose comes three weeks after the first, and Modernas comes four weeks later. The second dose provides a potent boost that gives people strong, long-lasting immunity. You should try to stick as closely as possible to the prescribed schedule. If scheduling conflicts prevent you from coming back for the booster shot on the exact day its due, federal health officials say it’s okay to get the second dose up to four days early or up to six weeks after the first dose. If you miss this window, you should still come back for the second dose as soon as you can.Carl Zimmer, Tara Parker-Pope
Read Also: Cvs Pharmacy Tdap
Will My Employer Require A Covid Vaccination
Employers do have the right to compel their workers to be vaccinated once a vaccine is formally approved. Many hospital systems, for example, require annual flu shots. But employees can seek exemptions based on medical reasons or religious beliefs. In such cases, employers are supposed to provide a reasonable accommodation with a coronavirus vaccine, for example, a worker might be allowed to work if they wear a mask, or to work from home.
The Biden administration has mandated that all companies with more than 100 workers require vaccination or weekly testing. Mr. Biden also moved to mandate shots for health care workers, federal contractors and the vast majority of federal workers, who could face disciplinary measures if they refuse.Abby Goodnough
Are You 65 Or Older Get Two Vaccinations Against Pneumonia
- By Gregory Curfman, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Former Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Health Publishing
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
If you or a loved one is age 65 or older, getting vaccinated against pneumonia is a good idea so good that the Centers for Disease Control now recommends that everyone in this age group get vaccinated against pneumonia twice.
This new recommendation is based on findings from a large clinical trial called CAPiTA, which were published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, sometimes just called pneumococcus, is a common bacterium that can cause serious lung infections like pneumonia. It can also cause invasive infections of the bloodstream, the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord , and other organs and tissues. Older individuals are especially prone to being infected by Pneumococcus, and these infections are often deadly.
The dark spots are pneumonia-causing Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria isolated from the blood of an infected person.
One caveat is that while PCV13 is effective in preventing pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, it does not prevent pneumonia caused by viruses or other bacteria.
You May Like: Does Cvs Do Tdap Shots
Are Variants To Blame For Reinfections
Not necessarily. Dr. Esper says the coronavirus doesnt mutate nearly as much as the flu, which changes nearly everything about its appearance from one year to the next. Rather, its COVID-19s infectiousness that makes it so, well, infectious.
This variants infectiousness including its ability to evade immune systems and prevent long-lasting immunity for those people who are infected with it is one of the reasons why its been able to persist and come back, he explains.
If I Have Allergies Should I Be Concerned About The Vaccine
While severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, have occurred in the minutes following an injection with the new vaccines, its an extremely rare event. The rate of anaphylaxis has been 11.1 cases per million doses, as of December. By comparison, the rate of severe allergic reaction to the flu shot is about 1.35 cases per million doses. While those statistics may sound scary, severe allergic reactions are a risk with many drugs. Dr. Aaron Carroll, a professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, notes that the risk of anaphylaxis from penicillin drugs is even higher between one in 2,500 and one in 5,000 but that doesnt stop doctors from prescribing them. You can read more from Dr. Carroll about the risks of vaccines here.
All the patients who experienced severe reactions to the vaccines were treated and have recovered. Most of them had a history of anaphylaxis or allergies, but some patients had no known allergies. Every vaccination site is required to have epinephrine and other emergency supplies in case a patient has an allergic reaction. If you have a history of anaphylaxis, youll be monitored for 30 minutes after the shot, instead of the standard 15 minutes.
Recommended Reading: Can I Get Tdap At Cvs
Changing Travel Requirements To Address Covid
Effective All Canadians returning from short trips must take a molecular pre-entry test. The test must be taken outside of Canada.
Effective Temporary enhanced requirements ending for travellers who have been in Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada, regardless of your vaccination status. Omicron travel health notice
Travellers are eligible to enter or return to Canada if they qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
You May Still Be Able To Spread It
Remember, just because you feel fine doesnt mean youre in the clear and reinfection may not present the same as your first bout of COVID-19.
Your previous infection may prevent you from getting sick, but that doesnt necessarily mean that you cant become infected and spread it to others, Dr. Esper says. You might think youre safe because your antibodies are there, but if youre still able to spread it to others for a short period of time, youre still a risk to others.
Recommended Reading: Cheapest Shingrix Vaccine
Am I Obliged To Report Any Side Effects Of The Corona Vaccination
If you experience any side effects after vaccination, please contact your doctor.
According to Sections 6 and 8 of the infection protection act only health professionals are obliged to report suspected adverse reactions to the relevant authority. Citizens can report suspected adverse reactions voluntarily.
According to Section 6 of the IfSG, a suspicion of damage to health which is more than a normal vaccination reaction must be reported to the public health department.
As Delta Spreads Some Travelers Double Up On Covid
Vials labelled “Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease vaccine” are seen in this illustration picture taken May 2, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
WASHINGTON, Aug 16 – Alison Toni felt lucky to get Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine in Chile earlier this year. A month later, she was in Minnesota getting vaccinated again.
Toni, an American living in Chile, was visiting her parents in Minneapolis in April when she got her first Pfizer shot at a CVS pharmacy. She traveled back for the second dose in June. She did not disclose being previously vaccinated.
“They didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell,” said Toni, 55. She took that step after reading that China’s Sinovac vaccine had a lower efficacy than the Pfizer Inc shot, developed with German partner BioNTech, and the Moderna Inc shot, both widely available in the United States. She also consulted with her doctor beforehand.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Toni is among the group of people coming from abroad who have been vaccinated a second time, or plan to do so, in the United States.
Their reasons range from concerns that the vaccines immediately available to them were not effective enough, fears that they require extra protection against the fast-spreading Delta variant, or a need to meet specific requirements for work or travel. Some are seeking medical advice, others are relying on their own research.
‘PROCESS NEEDS TO BE FIXED’
Also Check: How Much Does Tdap Cost At Cvs
Can You Get Another Covid
As the state and country move toward the next COVID-19 vaccination milestone, more businesses are offering incentives to get the shots.
Some people who got vaccinated early may be wondering what would happen if they got double vaccinated, either with the same brand or a different one, so they could get some freebies.
ABC15 Health Insider Dr. Shad Marvasti says don’t do it.
“Be confident in the fact you’ve already gotten it, feel good about it. These incentives are really for people who’ve been on the fence or aren’t sure. There may be a need for a booster, but it still remains to be seen depending on what the studies show,” said Dr. Shad.
And while there has been a lot of talk about potentially needing a booster shot, Dr. Shad says anyone wanting to jump the gun and proactively get a third shot needs to hold off.
Will I Be Required To Provide Proof Of Vaccination To Travel
Some countries now require travellers to provide proof of vaccination as well as a negative Covid test before being allowed to board flights. Before traveling internationally, be sure to check the U.S. State Departments detailed COVID-19 travel information at Travel.State.gov because travel restrictions can change quickly. And beginning in early November, all adult foreign nationals will be required to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to boarding flights to the United States.Sarah Firshein
You May Like: Does Cvs Give Tdap Shots
I Havent Had Any Side Effects After The Vaccine Does That Mean Its Not Working
Just as some people experience side effects from medications and some dont, people have varied reactions to vaccines. While we tend to hear only about the unpleasant reactions after the vaccine, a lot of people experience only mild discomfort or no symptoms at all after getting the shot.
In the Pfizer trial, for instance, about half the participants developed fatigue. Other side effects occurred in at least 25 to 33 percent of patients, including headaches, chills and muscle pain. That means that half or more of the participants did not have those side effects, and yet the overall efficacy of the vaccine was 95 percent, suggesting that a lack of side effects does not mean a vaccine isnt working. We also know that older people tended to report fewer side effects than younger people, probably because aging immune systems arent as strong. As people age, bodily defenses against pathogens weaken, and the response to vaccines also falters. But in the Pfizer and Covid vaccine trials, older people still produced adequate levels of antibodies, indicating a strong immune response after the vaccine. If you dont have side effects after your shot, be glad you are one of the lucky ones and dont worry.Tara Parker-Pope
Why People Are Getting Covid
Were seeing more reinfections now than during the first year of the pandemic, which is not necessarily surprising, Dr. Esper says.
The CDC says cases of COVID-19 reinfection remain rare but possible. And with statistics and recommendations changing so quickly and so frequently, that rare status could always change, as well.
Dr. Esper breaks down the reasons behind reinfection.
You May Like: Tdap Vaccine Cvs
If I Have The Virus But Dont Know It Will The Vaccine Still Work
While theres not yet a lot of data about this scenario, vaccine researchers say theres no cause for additional worry if you find out you were infected at the time of vaccination. You wont feel very well, but thats due to the Covid, not the Covid vaccine, said Dr. Helen Talbot, a member of a panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University.
Its unlikely the first dose of vaccine has had enough time to help your body fight the infection, but the vaccine should still spur your body to produce a lasting immune response. Once youve recovered, you should plan to get your second dose as planned. If you unknowingly have the virus and are immunized, the vaccine will not prevent disease but will likely help in the overall development of immune response, said Dr. Talbot. You would then get your second immunization once fully recovered likely after the usual 21 or 28 days. No need to start the vaccine series over.”Dani Blum
Getting One Vaccine Is Good How About Mix
Researchers are exploring the possible benefits of pairing doses from two different Covid-19 vaccines.
- Read in app
-
Send any friend a story
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
Give this article
- Read in app
In January, Britain made a change to its vaccine guidelines that shocked many health experts: If the second dose of one vaccine wasnt available, patients could be given a different one.
The new rule was based on sheer guesswork there was no scientific data at the time demonstrating that mixing two coronavirus vaccines was safe and effective. But that may change soon.
In February, researchers at the University of Oxford began a trial in which volunteers received a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine followed by a dose of AstraZenecas formulation, or vice versa. This month, the researchers will start analyzing the blood of the subjects to see how well the mix-and-match approach works.
As growing numbers of vaccines are being authorized, researchers are testing other combinations. A few are in clinical trials, while others are being tested in animals for now.
Mixing vaccines might do more than just help overcome supply bottlenecks. Some researchers suspect that a pair of different vaccines might work better than two doses of the same one.
I think were on the cusp of some interesting data, said Adam Wheatley, an immunologist at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
Read Also: Can I Get A Tdap Shot At Cvs
Ive Been Hearing That The Side Effects After The Second Shot Are Far Worse Than The First Shot Is That True
Short-lived side effects like fatigue, headache, muscle aches and fever are more common after the second dose of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines, which each require two shots. Patients who experience unpleasant side effects after the second dose often describe feeling as if they have a bad flu and use phrases like it flattened me or I was useless for two days. During vaccine studies, patients were advised to schedule a few days off work after the second dose just in case they needed to spend a day or two in bed.
Data collected from v-safe, the smartphone-based tool everyone is encouraged to use to track side effects after vaccination, also show an increase in reported side effects after the second dose. For instance, about 29 percent of people reported fatigue after the first Pfizer-BioNTech shot, but that jumped to 50 percent after the second dose. Muscle pain rose from 17 percent after the first shot to 42 percent after the second. While only about 7 percent of people got chills and fever after the first dose, that increased to about 26 percent after the second dose.Tara Parker-Pope
Were Cancer Patients Studied In The Vaccine Trials How Does A Cancer Patient Safely Get The Vaccine
Patients in active treatment should consult with their medical team about how and when to get the vaccine. Some patients may be advised to time the vaccine, if possible, between rounds of chemo when their white blood cell counts are highest to optimize their immune response. Ideally, cancer patients in active treatment should receive vaccinations under the care of a doctor, or in a cancer center, where they can be closely monitored and are likely to encounter fewer people than they would at a mass distribution site. The state-by-state nature of vaccination rules can complicate vaccination for cancer patients. For instance, if you live in one state and get cancer treatment in another, your cancer center may not be allowed to give the vaccine to an out-of-state patient.
Patients with a history of cancer or undergoing active treatment may be advised to follow the three-dose immunization schedule recommended for patients with weakened immune systems.Dani Blum
Read Also: Cvs Tdap Vaccine Schedule