COVID-19 Vaccine Information

What are the pros and cons of getting the COVID-19 vaccine vs. catching the COVID-19 virus?

Title	Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine	Catching COVID-19
Side Effects & Complications	In most cases, side effects are minor, like head and body aches, fever and chills—flu-like symptoms.	The long-term effects of COVID-19 are unknown, but many who catch the virus experience trouble breathing, fatigue, loss of taste and smell and much more for months after their infection.
Your Friends & Family	The COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19, including the risk of severe illness or death. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older is recommended to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters if eligible.	COVID-19 is highly contagious, and since many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, you run the risk of passing the virus on to vulnerable friends and family members.
Fertility & Pregnancy	There is currently no evidence that any of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems. Pregnant people are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccination (CDC).	The COVID-19 virus may cause inflammation in men that can affect fertility (NIH).
Severity of Illness	Greatly reduces chance of severe illness, hospitalization or death.	More than 6 million people world-wide have died from COVID-19, including more than 1 million here in the U.S. (CDC).

Are COVID-19 vaccinations for certain age groups?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following age groups receive vaccination:

Pfizer-BioNTEch: People 6 months or older
Moderna: People 6 months or older
Novavax: People 12 years or older

Please note: Children outside these age groups should not receive COVID-19 vaccination at this time.

If I currently have COVID-19 or was exposed to it, should I get vaccinated?

No. The vaccines should not be given to anyone actively infected with COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to it. You can receive the vaccine after you’ve fully recovered, or your quarantine period has ended. If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary dose or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started OR you first received a positive test if you had no symptoms.

If I have allergies, should I get vaccinated?

It depends on what you’re allergic to. If you have a history of severe allergies or allergies to other vaccines, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated to ensure your safety.

If I’m immunocompromised, should I get vaccinated?

People who are immunocompromised were not part of the original vaccine trials. Talk to your doctor about the best decision for you.

If I have an underlying medical condition, should I get the vaccine?

Yes. But you should not get vaccinated if you have severe allergic reactions. (See the previous question, “If I have allergies, should I get vaccinated?”). In original clinical trials, the COVID-19 vaccines were shown to be as safe and effective for people with underlying medical conditions as for those without.