Edward Hospital answers your questions about COVID-19 vaccines

Although it will be months before the COVID-19 vaccine is available to the public, people still have questions about it now.

In a recent news release, Edward Hospital offered answers to some frequently asked questions.

How will people know when they’re eligible to receive the vaccine?

Government officials have estimated that the public may start receiving the vaccine in spring 2021.

Does everyone need more than one dose?

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was authorized for emergency use, requires two doses administered 21 days apart. This vaccine is safe for ages 16 or older.

The vaccine produced by Moderna (also authorized for emergency use) also requires two doses administered 28 days apart. This vaccine is safe for those age 18 or older.

Both are mRNA vaccines – a new technology that involves synthetic messenger RNA, which induces the body to produce enough harmless spike protein to prime the immune system to react if it later encounters the real virus.

Why two doses?

The first shot starts building protection and the second shot strengthens the immune response.

The vaccines are not interchangeable. Individuals should complete the second dose with the same vaccine.

Will people need this vaccine every year?

Scientists still are studying how frequently people will need to get vaccinated and will decide once the vaccine is distributed and more data is available.

Who will administer the vaccines when it becomes widely available?

The vaccines will be distributed by large hospitals, pharmacies, mobile clinics, large employer health clinics, critical access hospitals and community health centers.

How do the vaccines work?

Vaccines help develop antibodies that makes people less susceptible to the disease.

Are the vaccines safe?

Data gathered in large clinical trials conducted by the vaccine manufacturers have found the benefit of a vaccine for COVID-19 outweighs any known or potential harm that would come from being infected with the coronavirus.

No specific information is available yet on whether these vaccines will be recommended for children or immunocompromised individuals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women consult with their doctor before getting the vaccine.

Which vaccine is the most effective?

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were more than 94% effective in preventing symptomatic infection and nearly 100% effective in preventing severe illness from COVID-19.

Both vaccines were effective for different races and genders and for people with underlying medical conditions.

Can people choose which vaccine to get?

No. This depends on supply.

How soon after getting the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will people be protected from COVID-19?

Maximum immunity will develop several weeks after the second dose.

Does the vaccine protect others?

As more people get vaccinated, fewer people will spread the virus, reducing how effectively the virus can be transmitted and increasing chances for herd immunity.

It’s not yet clear whether vaccinated people still could develop asymptomatic infections and be able to spread the virus to others.

Do people experience any side effects after getting the vaccine?

As with other vaccines, people may experience fatigue, muscle aches, headaches or low-grade fever after getting vaccinated.

Side effects could also include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site as well as chills, joint pain, nausea and swollen lymph nodes.

Side effects may be more frequent after the second dose and less common among older adults.

The side effects are a sign the body is mounting a defense against the disease.

Once someone has been vaccinated, can they stop wearing masks?

No. Until most people are vaccinated, wearing masks, social distancing and hand-washing are the only tools available to stop the spread of COVID-19.

For information, visit eehealth.org/coronavirus.