Central California Alliance for Health | Living Healthy | March 2021

You might be hearing rumors about the COVID-19 vaccine, and you may have questions. It is important to get vaccine information from reliable sources. These include: ● The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ● Your county’s public health department. ● Your primary care provider. You can also check the Alliance website for COVID-19 information for Medi-Cal members. Seven facts to know about the vaccine 1. Getting a vaccine will not give you COVID-19. None of the vaccines contain the live virus. This means they cannot make you sick with COVID-19. 2. The COVID-19 vaccines do not have severe side effects in most people. Many people experience mild to moderate signs that their body is building protection after getting a vaccine. These can include muscle aches, tiredness, headache, fever or soreness where you got the injection. Side effects often last for a day or two. But since any new medication can cause an allergic reaction in a small number of people, you will be asked to stay for observation for a short period after you’ve received the shot. 3. When you get the vaccine, you will not be asked for information about your immigration status. The vaccine is available to the public regardless of immigration status. 4. You should get vaccinated even if you’ve had COVID-19. Research shows that the consequences of COVID-19 can be severe. Even if you’ve recovered from having COVID-19, there is not enough information to know if you are protected from getting it again. Get the vaccine even if you’ve had COVID-19 in the past. 5. COVID-19 vaccines do not make people infertile. None of the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. There is also no evidence that getting the vaccine can cause women to miscarry. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 6. The COVID-19 vaccine will not change your DNA. The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to give your body instructions to fight the coronavirus. There is no way the vaccine can change the DNA of your cells. 7. You should still practice safety measures after you’ve been vaccinated. The vaccine can prevent you from getting sick. However, there is not enough information to know whether you can still carry and give the virus to others. You should continue to cover your mouth and nose with a mask in public. Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you, avoid crowds and wash your hands often. Know the truth about COVID-19 vaccines HEALTHY 2