Safety

Vaccines go through several steps in the development process. These include identifying a potential target on the virus, safety testing, manufacture, and approval. Vaccines are also monitored for safety after they released to the public. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety, effectiveness, and quality of vaccines that are used in the United States....READ MORE

Although COVID-19 arose and spread incredibly quickly, scientists have been studying this type of virus and how to prevent it for many years. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, vaccines could be created very rapidly without compromising  safety or quality measures. COVID-19 vaccines went through all the normal testing that other vaccines go through, just at a faster pace. They were...READ MORE

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. All of the COVID-19 vaccines offered in the US have gone through all the normal testing that other vaccines go through, just at a faster pace. They were developed using well-established scientific methods and meet the FDA’s rigorous safety, effectiveness, and quality standards. They were tested by tens of thousands of people consenting to...READ MORE

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children older than 6 months. They are especially helpful in preventing hospitalization and serious illness from COVID-19. Although there are some risks associated with vaccination, the risks of serious complications are far higher for unvaccinated people who get COVID-19 than for any risks associated with vaccination. Children can also act as carriers of the...READ MORE

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for all individuals aged 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccines are safe to get while pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.  Studies involving thousands of women have found that the COVID-19 vaccines do not cause fertility issues and will not affect anyone’s ability to get or stay pregnant. These studies have also shown that the benefits of vaccination in...READ MORE

More than 13 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered since December 2020, with very few serious side effects reported. Although severe reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine are rare, mild side effects are common. Many people experience pain and discomfort at the injection side, such as a sore arm, redness, or swelling. Less commonly, people experience tiredness, headache, muscle...READ MORE

All of the COVID-19 vaccines available to Alaska Native / American Indian (AN/AI) peoples are safe and effective. Because of pre-existing health disparities, AN/AI peoples are more likely than other populations to experience adverse effects due to COVID-19 infection. The Association of American Indian Physicians, as well as State and Federal agencies, and Tribal health organizations, strongly encourage you to get...READ MORE

The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna were created with a method that has been in development for years, so the companies could start the vaccine development process early in the pandemic. The vaccine developers didn’t skip any testing steps when making the vaccine. Studies found that these two vaccines are both about 95% effective, and reported no serious or...READ MORE

Anxiety related to COVID-19 vaccines is common due to uncertainties surrounding their development and potential side effects. However, it is important to explain that safety measures were not compromised, multiple vaccine options were explored simultaneously, and the vaccines underwent rigorous safety and efficacy testing. Remind them that temporary side effects, like those of the flu shot, may occur but indicate...READ MORE

In a CDC survey conducted in Sep 2020, the most cited reasons for people to not get vaccinated were concerns about side effects and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, waiting to see if the vaccine is safe and receiving it later, lack of trust in the government, and concern that COVID-19 vaccines were developed too quickly. ...READ MORE