I'VE NEVER HAD COVID-19

AM I AT RISK?

COVID-19 spreads easily and is mainly transmitted from person to person when respiratory droplets are expelled as a person talks, coughs, or sneezes. It can also be spread when people come into contact with droplets containing the virus by touching the surface where the droplets are, then touching their faces. People of any age can get COVID-19. Older adults and people with underlying conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Underlying Conditions

Older adults and people with underlying conditions, such as cancer, heart and lung conditions, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, sickle cell, or compromised immune systems are known to have increased risks for severe cases of COVID-19. 

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ARE VACCINES SAFE? WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS?

Safety is the top priority in the development of vaccines, from beginning to end. FDA-approved vaccines are safer than the diseases they are meant to prevent. Side effects from vaccines are usually mild and don’t last long. Common side effects are discomfort where the injection is given, tiredness, headaches, chills, mild fever, and muscle or joint aches. More serious side effects are very rare and include allergic reaction in one or two people per million. Vaccines go through three phases of rigorous testing and the United States requires that side effects be tracked and monitored to ensure continued safety even after vaccines have been thoroughly tested and reviewed before approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Rigorous Testing

Vaccines go through rigorous laboratory testing before being tested on humans. If the FDA determines that a vaccine candidate is safe to use in people, clinical trials commence with about 20 to 100 volunteers. Depending on the results with these initial volunteers, the testing is expanded to include thousands of people before the safety and effectiveness data about the vaccine are submitted to the FDA for review.