COVID-19: Vaccine Facts
It’s okay to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. There are a lot of different messages being shared about COVID-19 vaccines in the news and on social media. With so much information out there, it can be difficult to know which sources of information you can trust.
This page shares facts, based on scientific evidence, that address common vaccine myths, and provides tips for finding credible information that you can trust.
Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are strongly urging anyone planning to become pregnant to be vaccinated against COVID-19. One study that compared male’s sperm activity before and after the receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine found that sperm characteristics, such count and movement, do not change after vaccination. Professional societies for male reproduction recommend that men who want to have children get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn about studies and the science on the DHS COVID-19 vaccines, fertility, and pregnancy webpage
Learn about studies and the science on the DHS COVID-19 vaccines, fertility, and pregnancy webpage.
All available COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in thousands of people who participated in clinical trials before the vaccines became available. Two months of safety and efficacy data was required before any of the vaccines were granted EUA. The COVID-19 vaccines have gone through the same safety tests as every other vaccine in the U.S. and continue to be closely monitored for safety
Learn how mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines work.
See full lists of ingredients for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
See full lists of ingredients for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccines still provide protection against current variants since many of the characteristics of the virus remain the same. When more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, we give the virus less opportunity to keep mutating.
- Experienced a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or to a component of that specific COVID-19 vaccine.
- An allergic reaction is considered severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or EpiPen© or if the person must go to the hospital. Experts refer to severe allergic reactions as anaphylaxis.
- An immediate allergic reaction happens within 4 hours after getting vaccinated and could include symptoms such as hives, swelling, and wheezing (respiratory distress).
- Sometimes vomiting, diarrhea, or dizziness is a normal response to vaccination, and does not necessarily mean that you had an allergic reaction. A sore arm, headache, and fever are common after vaccination and are indicators that the vaccine is working. If you are unsure whether you had an allergic reaction, talk to a health care provider. You can also call 211 for help finding health care resources in your community
- Have a known diagnosed allergy to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine, like Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) or Polysorbate.
- See full lists of ingredients for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
- None of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. contain eggs, gelatin, latex, or preservatives.
- Allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable therapies, such as allergic reactions related to food, pet, venom, or environmental allergies, or allergies to oral medications, are not a reason to avoid COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for you.
If you are allergic to an ingredient in both mRNA vaccines, you may be able to get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
The only deaths that have been attributed by the COVID-19 vaccine have tragically followed very rare cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS) following vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Nine of the 54 people with TTS died. There has not been a single confirmed death attributable to the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).
It is much safer to get the vaccine than it is to stay unvaccinated and get infected with COVID-19. Blood clots and myocarditis are far more likely to occur after COVID-19 infection than after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Finding credible information
There is a lot of information about COVID-19 vaccines online. How do you know the sources are accurate? When doing your own research about COVID-19 vaccines, ask yourself these questions:
- Does this information come from a credible source?
- Is this information updated on a regular basis?
- Do I trust this source?
When in doubt, talk to a trusted health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Get tips for talking about COVID-19 vaccines
You may want to have a conversation about COVID-19 vaccines with your friends or family, but don’t know where to start. Find tips and examples to have an effective conversation.