How do mRNA COVID-19 vaccines work?

Instead, mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?

COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness.

Is there a live virus in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines?

The mRNA vaccines do not contain any live virus. Instead, they work by teaching our cells to make a harmless piece of a “spike protein,” which is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. After making the protein piece, cells display it on their surface.

Why did the CDC among other reasons recommend the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

In December, the CDC recommended a preference for the two mRNA vaccines over J&J in response to concerns that had been building over a small, but growing number of cases of a rare, but serious clotting disorder in people who'd gotten the shot.

Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?

No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

Conversation with Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer | Davos | #WEF22

Are long term side effects possible with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Benefits of Vaccination Outweigh the Risks Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unusual following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination.

Will a person with COVID-19 vaccine have a positive antibody test?

A COVID-19 vaccination may also cause a positive antibody test result for some but not all antibody tests. You should not interpret the results of your SARS-CoV-2 antibody test as an indication of a specific level of immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Are mRNA vaccines preferred over Johnson and Johnson vaccine for COVID-19?

The mRNA vaccines are preferred over Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (a viral vector vaccine) in most circumstances. Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

How does the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine work?

The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine also contains a piece of a modified virus that is not the virus that causes COVID-19. This modified virus is called the vector virus. The vector virus cannot reproduce itself, so it is harmless. This vector virus gives instructions to cells in the body to create an immune response.

Is it safe to take the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine?

For many people, the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweigh the risks. It's effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, and it's the only single-dose option available. However, you'll still need to get a booster shot 2 months later.

Can you get the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if you are allergic to the ingredient in the vaccine?

If you are allergic to an ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine
If you have had a severe allergic reaction or an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

Can the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine cause allergic reactions?

There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic
reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after
getting a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider
may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after
vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face and throat
• A fast heartbeat
• A bad rash all over your body
• Dizziness and weakness

What are the severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines?

“Overall, severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, including life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions such as low blood pressure and difficulty breathing, are rare, on the order of five cases per million vaccine doses administered,” noted Dr. Guerrerio.

How long do COVID-19 vaccines last?

It is normal for virus-fighting antibodies—such as those that are stimulated by a COVID-19 vaccine—to wane over time. Monitoring antibody levels in the blood is one way to measure vaccine efficacy and research has found that protection remains high for six months after the second shot of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine give you immunity?

Getting fully vaccinated also gives you months of immunity -- without making you sick from the coronavirus. The vaccines are safe and effective. Even though they become less effective over time, they can still help protect you from getting severely ill from a breakthrough infection.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine protect your body?

COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response without you having to experience sickness. Getting sick with COVID-19 can have serious consequences. Getting sick with COVID-19 can cause severe illness or death, even in children, and we can't reliably predict who will have mild or severe ill.

Is the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine a viral vector vaccine?

The Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, a viral vector vaccine, is among the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States.

Does the Single-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine produce a strong immune response?

•The immune response to the single-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine remained robust against variants of SARS-CoV-2.
•Although the vaccine produced fewer neutralizing antibodies against the variants than the original virus, the overall immune response suggests strong protection.

Are egg products used in COVID-19 vaccines?

The COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by the FDA are not manufactured using egg products or egg culture. See COVID-19 vaccines for more information.

What is the best vaccine for COVID-19?

In most situations, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are preferred over the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination due to the risk of serious adverse events.

Is it safe to take the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or J&J COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?

No safety concerns were found in animal studies: Studies in animals receiving a Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy found no safety concerns in pregnant animals or their babies.

What are the ingredients in the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?

The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine includes the following ingredients: recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, citric acid monohydrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate, ethanol, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD), polysorbate-80, sodium chloride.

Do COVID-19 antibody tests detect vaccine antibodies?

• Some antibody tests will only detect antibodies from infection, not from vaccination with the virus that causes COVID-19.

What does a negative COVID-19 antibody test result mean?

A negative result on a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test means antibodies to the virus were not detected in your blood.

It is unknown if all people who have a SARS-CoV-2 infection will develop antibodies in their bodies in an amount that can be detected by a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test.

Do vaccinated people who got COVID-19 have more COVID-19 antibodies?

Lab research suggests that people with hybrid immunity make higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than people who've been either vaccinated or infected. Their antibodies are also more potent than those in people who've only gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccines.