In the News

• Johnson and Johnson Gets Approval

Good Questions that Don’t Always Get Good Answers

• Are the vaccines made with fetal cells? (UPDATED*)
• What about religious concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine?
• What about reports on deaths after getting the vaccine? (UPDATED*)
• What about the long-term effects of the vaccine?
• Will the vaccines work against new variants? (UPDATED*)
• What vaccine should I get? (UPDATED*)
• Do mRNA vaccines cause infertility?
• Is it concerning that four people in Oregon developed COVID despite getting both doses of the vaccine?

The Fundamentals

• What vaccines are currently available? (UPDATED*)
• How many doses do I need of the vaccines? (UPDATED*)
• Are the mRNA vaccines interchangeable (i.e., can the doses come from different brands)?
• What vaccines are available in other countries or on the horizon for the U.S.?
• Isn’t it better to get natural immunity from the disease?
• What about immunity over time – will boosters or yearly vaccination be needed? 
• If I receive the vaccine will I still need to mask and wear eye protection and social distance? 
• If I receive the COVID-19 vaccine, would I still have to stay home in quarantine if one of my family members were to come down with COVID-19?
• How long will it take to offer everyone a vaccine?

Trials and Studies and Data – Oh My!

• Didn’t these vaccines come out too quickly?
• What did the vaccines show efficacy for? What does efficacy mean for these clinical trials? (UPDATED*)
• What were the demographics of vaccine trial participants? What races/ethnicities were included? (UPDATED*)
• What new data has emerged since the clinical trials? (NEW*)

What to Expect When You Are Expecting (a Vaccine)

• Are the vaccines safe? (UPDATED*)
• What are the ingredients available vaccines? (UPDATED*)
• What side effects of the vaccines?  (UPDATED*)
• To help with side effects, can I take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or antihistamines either before or after receiving the vaccine?
• Where should we report side effects/adverse events to the vaccines? (NEW*)
• What about the reports of allergic reactions/anaphylaxis? (UPDATED*)

Should I Get a Vaccine If…

• Can pregnant or breastfeeding people receive the vaccines?  (UPDATED*)
• Can kids receive the vaccine? (UPDATED*)
• Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as another vaccine?
• What are the new recommendations around the vaccine and screening mammograms? (NEW*)
• I am young and healthy and at low risk for COVID-19. Why should I get the vaccine?
• I had COVID-19, is it still recommended I receive the vaccine? Would I still need two doses?
• Should I get an antibody test to see if I have immunity BEFORE getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
• Should I get an antibody test to see if I have immunity AFTER getting the COVID-19 vaccine?  

*Each week, questions are reviewed and updated as needed.  This asterisk denotes questions with substantive updates. 

This is a detailed list of questions curated to give providers updated information and help with conversations with patients. Key authors are Jill Amsberry, DO of CentraCare, the M Health Fairview team, and Jodie Dvorkin, MD, MPH of ICSI. This FAQ stems from a COVID-19 Vaccination Working Group ICSI began in the fall of 2020, comprised of healthcare leaders across Minnesota for sharing practices related to COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Working Group includes healthcare delivery systems, health plans, county and state agencies, and others.