The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must verify that the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe COVID-19 infections. All vaccines Novant Health uses have received full or emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA.

Before an EUA is granted, an independent committee reviews and verifies the data showing the vaccine is safe and effective. Next, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s  Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviews the data and recommends who should be vaccinated based on clinical trial results.

Your safety is our priority at Novant Health. We will not choose to administer a vaccine that is not safe.

There are two types of COVID-19 vaccines available today: messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, and viral vector vaccines.

The mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to teach your cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside your body. While mRNA vaccines are new, researchers have been studying them and working with them for years. They require multiple doses, to ensure you receive the best possible protection against COVID-19.

Viral vector vaccines use a harmless virus to teach your cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside your body. Viral vectors have been used for decades in vaccines and in the study of cancer, molecular biology and genetics. The viral vector vaccine available today for preventing COVID-19 requires only one dose.

Neither the mRNA nor the viral vector vaccine interacts with your DNA in any way. The vaccines cannot cause you to be infected with COVID-19 since they do not use a live virus.

There are two mRNA vaccines available today, and both are considered safe and effective. The mRNA vaccine from Pfizer has received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for ages 6 months – 4 years and FDA Full Approval for ages 5 years and older. The mRNA vaccine from Moderna has full FDA approval for ages 18 and older.

These mRNA vaccines require multiple doses for the vaccine to be fully effective. However, there is now flexibility in the interval between the first and second dose of mRNA vaccines. For those age 12 and above, especially males aged 12 to 39, an eight-week interval between doses may be optimal.

The viral vector vaccine available today from Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) has received Emergency Use Authorization for ages 18 and older. This vaccine requires one dose. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is considered safe and effective, the mRNA vaccines perform better and are preferred by doctors. Learn more about the CDC’s latest review of the safety and risks for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

All the vaccines available today are closely monitored for their safety and will help protect you against COVID‑19. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines the CDC has reviewed and continues to monitor.

You should only get the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine when there is a contraindication to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, for example if you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or to a component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Or if you would otherwise remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to the mRNA vaccines.

While the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine is considered safe and effective, the mRNA vaccines perform better and are preferred by doctors. Learn more about the CDC’s latest review of the safety and risks for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

mRNA vaccine technology has been in development for about a decade. This allowed scientists to move quickly and build on existing research when they began work on COVID‑19 vaccines. Viral vector vaccines have been in use for several decades.

Governments and industry leaders all over the world also came together to provide the resources and funding needed to work on COVID‑19 vaccines. This allowed manufacturers to get started right away. Clinical trials were able to enroll thousands of participants who volunteered early to make sure the vaccines are safe.

None of the steps to make a safe vaccine were skipped.

No. The COVID-19 vaccines available today are not developed in eggs and do not contain egg protein, preservatives, mercury, latex or fetal tissue.

In the vaccine trials, some participants experienced common “expected effects” that typically lasted only a few hours. Expected effects may include a sore arm, warmth in the arm, malaise, fatigue or a low-grade fever. These effects should be mild and fully resolved in 1 to 3 days. Not everyone will experience these effects to the same degree, but if you do, it indicates the vaccine is working and your immune system is responding.

Women younger than 50 years old should be aware of additional considerations if receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Teenagers and young adults should be aware of additional considerations if receiving an mRNA vaccine.

If you experience arm pain or swelling, apply a cool, wet cloth on the affected area; increase use of your arm to encourage blood flow; and drink fluids. Learn more about vaccine side effects from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC, aspirin is not recommended for use in anyone younger than 18 years. Aspirin puts children at risk for Reye’s syndrome, which can cause swelling in the brain and liver. Placing a cool, damp cloth on the area where the shot was given can help reduce the discomfort. Contact your child’s pediatrician for guidance on an non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you may take if needed.

If you are an adult, you can take a pain relief medication if you are experiencing expected effects after receiving your vaccine. However, do not proactively take any pain relief medication prior to being vaccinated, as this could interfere with your body’s intended response to the vaccine.

If you are still experiencing effects from the vaccine after three days, or your symptoms are severe, contact your doctor right away.

Women younger than 50 years old who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should monitor for additional symptoms of blood clots for three weeks after receiving the vaccine. Seek medical care right away if one or more symptoms develop. These symptoms may include severe, persistent headaches; blurred vision; shortness of breath; abdominal or chest pain; leg swelling; easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin.

It is going to take some time for us to know any long-term effects. However, for mRNA vaccines, we do know mRNA is very fragile and degrades quickly. Therefore, we anticipate post-vaccination symptoms will only occur in the very short term, if at all.

No. mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines do not contain the live SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus; therefore, you cannot get COVID-19 from vaccination.

The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) no longer recommends delaying screening mammograms around COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines of all types can result in temporary swelling of the lymph nodes, which is a sign that the body is making antibodies in response to the vaccine as intended.

Previously, consideration was given to scheduling before a first vaccine dose, or four to six weeks following the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, the SBI reports breast radiologists have gained significant experience in diagnosing and managing vaccine-induced lymph node swelling. Learn more

If you have a history of immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy, the CDC recommends precaution when deciding whether you should receive the vaccine. There are a small number of reports of anaphylactic reactions outside of clinical trials. Consult with your doctor about your medical history and the risks and benefits you should consider.

Those who have previously had Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) may receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. There are a very limited number of cases of GBS reported in patients who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Consult with your doctor for more information if you have a history of GBS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older.

The mRNA vaccine from Pfizer has received  Emergency Use Authorization from the Food & Drug Administration for ages 6 month to 4 years and the FDA’s full approval for ages 5 years and older.

Novant Health is currently only offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to less than 5 years. If you are interested in the Moderna vaccine for a child less than 5 years old, we encourage you to visit  the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website to find a vaccination site nearby. Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only approved for ages 18 and older at this time.

Children will receive a smaller, age-appropriate dose of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. Vaccine dosage is based on age on the day of vaccination. To ensure proper dosage, please schedule an appointment in advance if your child is ages 6 months to 11 years.

All children 6 months to less than 5 years of age must receive three doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The first two will be given three weeks apart and the third and final dose will be given at least 8 weeks apart.

All children ages 5 to 11 must receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, three weeks apart.

Although children are less likely to develop the most severe symptoms of COVID-19, they can still be infected and become very ill, develop long-term complications from the virus, and spread COVID-19 to other more vulnerable children and adults. Learn more about child vaccination from the CDC.

Please also consult with your pediatrician if you have questions about vaccination for your child.

The American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) both endorse the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for those who are pregnant, lactating or considering pregnancy. ACOG and SMFM advise that breastmilk produced during the vaccine period does not need to be discarded, and attempts to conceive may continue without delay. If you recently learned you are pregnant, you should get your vaccination as scheduled. Learn more

Women younger than 50 years old should be aware of additional considerations if receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death. Your immune response to the COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who do not have weakened immune systems, and it will still be necessary to follow all current prevention measures to protect against COVID-19. Booster vaccines may help increase protection against severe disease from COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two boosters for:

• Adults ages 50 years and older
• People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

The CDC recommends one booster for everyone ages 5 years and older after completing their primary vaccine series.

Adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more from the CDC.

Vaccination is recommended for cancer patients and survivors. However, if you are currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or infusion treatment for cancer, it is possible that the vaccine will not be as effective due to your cancer therapy’s effect on your immune system. Discuss COVID-19 vaccination with your oncology team if you are currently being treated for cancer. Learn more

An eight-week interval may be appropriate for people ages 12 to 64 who are not immunocompromised, especially males ages 12 to 39. This eight-week interval does not apply to booster doses.

You should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection to your immune system. People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with COVID-19 who have symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation.

If you are currently ill with COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected), you should wait until you have recovered and/or can end self-isolation before receiving the vaccine or a booster shot, to reduce exposing others to the virus.

If you received passive antibody therapy, such as convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies, you do not need to delay vaccination.

If you are vaccinated after a known exposure, it is not expected that the vaccine would prevent the onset of COVID-19 from that exposure. The incubation period of the virus is approximately 2-14 days, and the two-dose vaccine series takes several weeks.

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, take the appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the virus, including self-quarantining and monitoring yourself for symptoms.

You can receive the COVID‑19 vaccine and other vaccines at or around the same time. It is not necessary to delay a vaccination due to receiving the COVID‑19 vaccine.

The vaccine is not known to have any specific interactions with other medications or supplements. Consult with your doctor if you have additional questions about your current medications.

Do not take pain relief medication prior to your vaccination. It is unknown whether some anti-inflammatory pain relievers or fever reducers might interfere with the vaccine’s intended antibody response. However, you can take a pain relief medication after your vaccination if you experience any of the common, expected effects such as arm pain, low-grade fever, aches, fatigue or headache.

No. You should continue all medications as recommended by your doctor.

Like all vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are not 100 percent effective at preventing infection. However, COVID-19 vaccination significantly lowers your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death if you do get infected. Compared to people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, unvaccinated people are more likely to get COVID-19, much more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and much more likely to die from COVID-19.

Protection from COVID‑19 should begin about two weeks after full vaccination (after the second dose if you receive an mRNA vaccine). According to the CDC, it is possible that a person could be infected with the coronavirus just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.

See above for more information about booster vaccines.

Scientists are continuing to monitor how long COVID-19 vaccine protection lasts. Recent studies show that protection may decrease over time. This reduction has led CDC to recommend that everyone ages 5 years and older get a booster shot after completing their primary vaccination series.

According to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you are fully vaccinated, it is generally not necessary to wear a mask or be socially distanced when around other fully vaccinated people. However, with new variants of the virus, these protective measures are still important when you are around people with unknown vaccination status.

If you are out in public, on private property where masking is required, visiting a healthcare facility, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, you should wear a mask and avoid close contact with others even if fully vaccinated. Learn more from the CDC.

Please note, masking and social distancing are required for all patients, visitors, and team members in Novant Health facilities.

According to the CDC, herd immunity is achieved when a sufficient percentage of a population is immune to an infectious disease through either vaccination or prior illness, making it unlikely the virus can spread from person to person. Even those who do not have immunity may have some protection because the disease has little opportunity to spread within the community.

While we do not know an exact number, a rough goal is to get 80% of the population immunized to have some level of herd immunity.

The protection someone gets after having an infection (natural immunity) varies by disease. Because COVID-19 is still new and being studied, scientists do not yet know how long or to what degree natural immunity is protective. The same is also true of the immunity provided by a vaccine (passive immunity). More information about both types of immunity are still needed.

If you are a current Novant Health patient, check with your primary care or pediatric provider to see if they offer the vaccine and booster shots. If they are, you can schedule an appointment with them to reserve your dose. If your provider is not administering the vaccine, please refer to North Carolina COVID-19 Information | NC COVID-19 (ncdhhs.gov).

North Carolina residents ages to 6 months and older can be vaccinated. You do not need to be a Novant Health patient. We are also able to vaccinate patients of Novant Health who live in another state.

The vaccine will be provided at no cost to all recipients. Your insurance provider will cover any fees associated with your vaccination. If you are uninsured, Novant Health will cover the cost of your vaccine.

You will have the opportunity to schedule your second dose during your first dose appointment. Some patients may be automatically scheduled for a second dose if they received a first dose at a special event. If you have questions about scheduling your second dose, talk with your care team when you receive your first vaccination.

You will receive the vaccine as a shot in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.

Yes, it is recommended to be observed after vaccination to monitor for any immediate adverse reactions. Most patients will be monitored for 15 minutes. Anyone with a history of anaphylaxis will be monitored for 30 minutes.

If you sign up for a two-dose mRNA vaccine, you must receive two doses of the same product (either Pfizer or Moderna) for the vaccine to be fully effective.

The mRNA vaccines will not provide full protection without the second dose.