(info below is from Health and Welfare Alert #68-1-21)
We know there is a lot of information out there about the vaccines and we want you to make an informed decision. Please take time to learn the facts from reputable sources like the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Watch: COVID-19 Facts and Myths with Dr. Laura Sorg (register to watch video)
Who should get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
It is highly recommended that all healthcare workers get vaccinated against COVID-19 when available.
What side effects may occur?
Like with many other vaccines, side effects are minimal. You may
experience some pain and redness at the injection site. Other
common side effects may include fatigue, fever, chills and headache.
Most symptoms resolve within a day or sooner.
How many doses do I need?
2. Most COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to reach their full effectiveness, including the two currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine safe?
Yes. Both COVID-19 vaccines were well tolerated in over 70,000 participants with no serious adverse events reported. The FDA requires close monitoring and reporting of all adverse events as part of the ongoing vaccine administration process.
Will the COVID-19 Vaccine work?
Yes. Both vaccines authorized by the FDA have shown to be greater than 94% effective in preventing a COVID-19 infection. This was seen across all ages, genders, races and ethnicities. If you do get infected, the vaccine may also reduce your risk of getting a severe COVID-19 infection.
MYTH VS FACT
MYTH: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
FACT: None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the
United States use a live COVID-19 virus. This means there is nothing
in the vaccine that can cause an infection. When your body responds
to the vaccine, you may have a fever or other symptoms. This is NOT
an infection, but your immune system working to protect your body
against future infection. This is common in many vaccines.
MYTH: The vaccine will make me test positive for COVID-19.
FACT: None of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized will make you test
positive for a viral COVID-19 test. These are the tests that can tell
if you have a current COVID-19 infection. If your body develops an
immune response from the vaccine, you may test positive on an
antibody test. These tests show if you have a previous infection and
may have protection against the virus in the future.
MYTH: The COVID-19 Vaccine will change my DNA.
FACT: Messenger Ribonucleic Acid, or mRNA, is not able to alter or
modify your DNA. Your cells use mRNA as a template to build proteins
outside of the cell nucleus where all your DNA is stored. A mRNA
vaccine delivers instructions to your cell to make a harmless virus
protein to tell your immune system to activate but will never enter the
cell’s nucleus. Once the protein is made, the vaccine mRNA is broken
down by the cell.
MYTH: Side effects from the COVID-19 Vaccine are worse than the infection.
FACT: If you are infected with COVID-19, there is no way to know how
bad your symptoms will be. If symptoms become severe, it may result
in hospitalization or even death. Sometimes symptoms of a COVID-19
infection can last up to 3 months. To date, over 1.64 million people
worldwide have died from COVID-19. Side effects may occur from
the COVID-19 vaccine and may be like symptoms of a mild COVID-19
infection. These include headache, muscle ache and fever and will
subside in a day or so. For most people, symptoms of COVID-19 will
be worse and last longer than side effects from the vaccine.
For the latest information, visit the ODH Vaccination Program page.