Yes, COVID-19 vaccines have a very strong safety record.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and monitored for safety more than any previous vaccine in U.S. history. All COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and reviewed for human safety through a three-phase clinical trial process. More than 150,000 people participated in U.S. vaccine clinical trials, and almost 700 million vaccine doses have been safely administered in the U.S. with rare instances of adverse reactions.

To ensure the continued safety of COVID-19 vaccines, data from clinical trials is collected and monitored for two years after each vaccine is first administered. Additional monitoring is in place for adverse event reporting through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Based on these thorough processes, public health officials make evidence-based recommendations to keep the public safe and healthy.

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

On average, the original Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines were effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 illness by more than 85%. Unvaccinated people are more likely to get COVID-19 and much more likely to be hospitalized and die from COVID-19, compared to people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations remains the most effective way to protect yourself and others from serious illness.

First: As the COVID-19 virus spreads, it evolves into new variants.

A vaccine can only protect against a variant that it recognizes. As the virus continues to circulate and mutate, new variants are less recognizable to our immune systems. This leads to new infections — even for people who are vaccinated. As a result, updated vaccines have been developed to more closely target currently circulating variants and offer increased protection.

Just as a new flu vaccine is released each year, COVID-19 vaccines are updated to help target new variants more effectively.

Second: Your level of protection decreases over time. Staying up-to-date on your vaccines offers you the best possible protection, and is an easy way to help yourself and those around you stay healthy.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the updated 2024-2025 vaccine.

Just like the flu, COVID-19 evolves from year to year, and so does the vaccine. This year’s updated vaccine formula is made to give you the best protection against current variants.

• If you have not had a COVID-19 infection or vaccine since last fall, you should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you.
• If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider waiting to get your updated vaccine for up to three months after getting sick.
• If you currently have COVID-19, you should wait until you’ve recovered and then up to three months to get your updated vaccine. Take precautions to prevent the spread, like isolating and masking.

If you or (a member of your household) are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk of severe COVID-19, talk to your doctor to determine what’s best for your personal circumstances.

If you have questions about when to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, feel free to call JCPH’s clinic line at (816) 404-6416 or to talk to your primary care provider.

Stay home and away from others while you’re sick.

Keep an eye on your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Early treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick, but it needs to be started within a few days. Seek treatment right away if you have risk factors for severe illness.

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

Take extra precautions for the next 5 days. During this time, you may still be able to spread the virus, even if you are feeling better.

This can include taking additional steps for cleaner air, practicing good hygiene, wearing masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important if you’ll be around people at higher risk of severe illness, such those who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

Thanks for your interest! Please contact our COVID-19 Outreach Clinical Coordinator at (816) 404-6406 so we can assist you. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Note: our availability for large group events and/or off-site events fills up quickly. The sooner you get in touch with our team, the more likely it is that we can assist you!