IN SCIENCE LIVES HOPE.
COVID-19 VACCINES Community Toolkit
2/1/21
IN SCIENCE LIVES HOPE.
COVID-19 VACCINE Vaccines help prevent us from getting sick from certain viruses. They save lives, and in many cases have eradicated deadly diseases like small pox and polio. COVID-19 is a serious disease that has claimed many lives, disrupted our economy and impacted our society. The COVID-19 vaccine is our best tool for ending the pandemic. It is safe, and it works.
HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED The vaccine is new, but the science isn’t. Scientists have created vaccines for more than 100 years. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed and tested through clinical trials in the exact same way as other vaccines — no corners were cut. Clinical trials test a vaccine by giving it to volunteers in safe, controlled settings and studying how the body responds. This process tells us for certain that a vaccine is safe and effective. Millions of Americans have chosen to get the vaccines since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency approval.
HOW THEY WORK Your body’s immune system helps protect you by fighting off germs. When your body identifies a virus, it creates defense molecules called antibodies that attack and destroy these germs. Your body keeps these antibodies, which remember how to protect you if they meet the virus again. This is called immunity, and it’s why you often don’t get sick from the same illness twice. Vaccines work by introducing material to your body that looks like a virus but won’t make you sick. This material tricks your body into thinking you have the live and working virus. In response, your body creates antibodies that are specifically designed to attack this virus. If your body ever identifies the real thing, it knows just what to do. Because you are already immune, you are protected from getting sick.
VIDEO: COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum, professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a UC Health physician, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines. Length: 14 minutes
VIDEO WEBINAR: COVID-19 Vaccines and What You Should Know In this recorded webinar, learn about the science of the COVID-19 vaccine from UC Health Physicians Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum (Infectious Diseases) and Dr. Sharice Wood (Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) and Cincinnati Children’s Vaccine Research Center Director Dr. Robert Frenck Jr. Speakers give an in-depth look into the vaccines’ development, study results and side effects, and they also address common concerns and myths. Beginning at 44:00, speakers answer audience-submitted questions. Length: 55 minutes
IN SCIENCE LIVES HOPE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We know you may have questions about the vaccine. For the latest information, please visit www.cdc.gov.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, the vaccine is very safe. It was tested through strict research requirements, which have been in place in the United States for several decades.
Can the vaccine cause COVID-19?
No. Many vaccines do not contain the virus, but instead contain materials that tell the body to create molecules that mimic the virus. It is impossible for these molecules to cause COVID-19.
Is the vaccine free?
Yes. There will be no out-of-pocket cost for you, even if you do not have health insurance.
Why do some vaccines require two doses?
For the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, you need two doses in order to ensure that your body has the right amount of antibodies (defense molecules) to stop the virus from getting you sick if you are exposed. Please be sure to receive both doses so that you can become immune to COVID-19.
What are the side effects?
The vaccine is designed to trigger an immune reaction in your body. These responses are the body’s way of defending itself, and they can cause you to feel uncomfortable and sick. Therefore, you may experience: • Fatigue • Headache • Fever • Muscle aches • Soreness at the site of the injection (your arm) Less than 10% of people in the vaccine studies needed to take any medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) to treat these symptoms. And when they did, it was typically for just a day or so.
When can I receive the vaccine?
UC Health is following the State of Ohio’s phased community distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine. Continue to visit our website at go.uchealth.com/getting-the-vaccine
Were COVID-19 vaccines rushed? How do I know they are still safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines were developed and tested through clinical trials in the exact same way as other vaccines — no corners were cut. This vaccine was created more quickly than others in the past because we put all our efforts into this important cause. It also did not take as long to recruit volunteers for clinical trials because thousands of people were eager to help be part of the solution.
Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?
If you have a previous COVID-19 infection, we encourage you to still be vaccinated after a period of recovery. Please talk to your healthcare provider if you were recently sick from COVID-19.
Can I stop wearing a mask after I receive the vaccine?
No, at this time you should still wear a mask. The vaccine has been proven to prevent COVID-19 disease, but more information is needed to determine if it will prevent you from spreading the virus to others.
Were minorities or people with high-risk health conditions included in the clinical studies?
Yes. The Phase 3 clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (more than 43,000 participants) and Moderna vaccine (more than 30,000 participants) included communities that have historically been under-represented in clinical research and have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
VIDEO: By the Numbers — All About the Moderna Vaccine Clinical Trial
Who volunteered to be a part of the Moderna vaccine clinical trial across the country? Learn more about the participants in the national study — from their ages, to their ethnicities, to their health conditions and more. Length: 3 minutes and 30 seconds
VIDEO: UC Health Physician and Study Participant Addresses Common Vaccine Concerns in Black and Latino Communities Louito Edje, MD, associate dean of Graduate Medical Education, designated institutional official, and professor-educator in Medical Education for the UC College of Medicine, and UC Health Family & Community Medicine physician, shares why she chose to participate in the vaccine clinical trial. Dr. Edje also addresses common concerns she’s heard from Black and Latino communities. Length: 3 minutes
IN SCIENCE LIVES HOPE.
VIDEO: UC Researcher Shares Why He Participated in the Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Brett Kissela, MD, senior associate dean for clinical research at the UC College of Medicine and chief of research services at UC Health, rolled up his sleeves (literally) to fight the pandemic. He participated in a clinical trial that led to a vaccine for the coronavirus. Length: 1 minute
IN SCIENCE LIVES HOPE.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The only way out of this pandemic is for us to reach enough herd immunity in the community. A vaccine is our best shot. Let Greater Cincinnati show our country how to lead the way.
Learn more about the vaccines at go.uchealth.com/covid-19-vaccine