Protecting Yourself, Your Patients, and Your Family
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Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and facts about how nurses can get vaccinated.
How can I get the vaccine?
Vaccines are here now and everyone age 5 and older can get them. You have three ways to find vaccines near you:
- Go to vaccines.gov
- Text your ZIP code to 438829
- Call 1-800-232-0233
Am I required to get the vaccine for work?
Although the federal government doesn’t require individuals to get the vaccine, for some nurses, health care workers, or other essential employees, your state or local government may require you to be vaccinated as a matter of state or other law. Check with your employer to see if there are any rules that apply to you.
How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?
All available COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19, including from the Delta variant.
Remember, to get the most protection from the vaccines, you need all the recommended doses:
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine requires 1 initial dose.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require 2 initial doses.
If you meet the criteria for having a compromised immune system, you should get a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 4 weeks after your second dose.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
COVID-19 vaccines continue to work very well at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
But protection against infection appears to decrease over time.
A booster shot is an extra dose that helps keep up protection.
You’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot if:
- It’s been at least 6 months since you got the second dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine AND you’re any of the following:
- At least age 65.
- At least age 18 and have an underlying medical condition (such as asthma, diabetes, or obesity).
- At least age 18 and are at increased risk for getting and spreading COVID because of where you live (such as a health care facility, college dormitory, or correctional facility).
- At least age 18 and are at increased risk for getting and spreading COVID because of your job (such as a health care worker, teacher, or grocery store worker).
OR:
- You’re at least age 18 and it’s been at least 2 months since you got a dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
If you’re eligible for a booster, you may choose which vaccine to receive as a booster dose. Your booster shot doesn't have to be the same vaccine you received before.
For more information about boosters, or if you have questions about your eligibility, check out our booster resources or talk to a health care provider.
Note that a booster is not the same as the recommended third vaccine dose for people with compromised immune systems.
Why should I get vaccinated if I can still get infected with COVID-19?
It’s important to understand that infection doesn’t necessarily lead to illness. If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the virus manages to enter your body and begins to multiply—that is, infect you—your immune system will be prepared to quickly recognize the virus and keep it from doing real damage. That’s why most people who get infected with COVID-19 despite being vaccinated—so-called breakthrough cases—have no symptoms (asymptomatic) or only mild-to-moderate illness.
Nearly everyone in the United States who is getting severely ill, needing hospitalization, and dying from COVID-19 is unvaccinated.
CDC recommends you get vaccinated as soon as you can.
Do I still need the vaccine if I’ve had the virus?
Yes. There are severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and reinfection is possible. Experts don’t yet know how long antibodies protect you from getting sick again if you’ve already had the virus.
What about the safety of the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. Tens of millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and all COVID vaccines will continue to be monitored for safety.
Serious health effects from vaccines are very rare. It’s highly unlikely that COVID-19 vaccines will cause long-term health problems. Also, there is no evidence at all that they will cause infertility or cancer.
Your risk for serious health problems is much lower from the vaccine than your risk if you’re unvaccinated and get COVID-19. COVID-19 can leave you with heart and lung damage and other conditions that require long-term treatment. Vaccines are much safer paths to immunity than the disease itself.
Is it safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Growing evidence confirms that the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people who are pregnant. CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible for all people who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, wanting to become pregnant someday, or breastfeeding.
COVID-19 can be a dangerous disease during pregnancy and is known to present higher risks for severe illness if you are pregnant. COVID-19 during pregnancy also increases the risk of preterm birth and might increase risks for other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you against severe illness from COVID-19 and help keep your baby safe.
Can providers give patients COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines?
Yes. Providers can give patients COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.
After I’m fully vaccinated, do I need to continue to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with me?
If you’re fully vaccinated (2 weeks after your final dose), you can participate in many of the activities that you did before the pandemic. To maximize protection from the highly contagious Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask inside public places if you’re in an area of substantial or high spread of COVID-19.
If you’re not yet vaccinated, you should continue to:
- Wear a mask when inside public places.
- Keep at least 6 feet part from people who don't live with you and who may not be vaccinated.
- Avoid crowds.
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren’t available.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people must still follow federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial laws, rules, and regulations. That includes public transportation, airport/airplane, local business, and workplace guidance.
People with compromised immune systems need extra doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
People with compromised immune systems are less able to fight infections. If any of the following apply to you, you may not be fully protected from COVID-19 even if you’ve received two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s or Moderna’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccine:
- You have a moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency disorder, such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
- You have an advanced or untreated HIV infection.
- You’ve ever had an organ transplant or had a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years.
- You’re being treated with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medicines for such conditions as arthritis, asthma, or an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
- You’re being treated for cancer.
To get the most benefit from the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, people with compromised immune systems should get a third dose. Wait at least 4 weeks after you get your second dose to get your third dose.
You should also continue to follow current COVID-19 prevention measures until your health care provider says it’s safe for you to stop:
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth around people you don’t live with and when inside public places.
- Stay at least 6 feet apart from people you don’t live with.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren’t available.
What if I have more questions?
If you have more questions about the vaccine, the CDC has information that may cover many of the questions you have. CDC has information on:
- The myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccine
- The benefits of getting vaccinated
- What to expect at your vaccine appointment
You can also visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/hcp.html for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines.
SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY
The FDA and CDC have the highest standards when it comes to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Their process includes the following procedures:
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