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Reports of Myocarditis

Good Questions that Don’t Always Get Good Answers

• Are the vaccines made with fetal cells?
• What about religious concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine?
• What about reports on deaths or serious problems after getting the vaccine?
• What about the long-term effects of the vaccine? Does the vaccine help with COVID-19 long haulers? 
• Will the vaccines work against new variants? 
• What vaccine should I get? 
• Do mRNA vaccines cause infertility?

The Fundamentals

• What vaccines are currently available?
• How many doses do I need of the vaccines?
• Are the 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? Do I still need to quarantine if a family member gets COVID-19?

Trials and Studies and Data – Oh My!

• What are the statistics on getting COVID-19 if you get the vaccine (breakthrough infections)? 
• Didn’t these vaccines come out too quickly?
• What did the vaccines show efficacy for? What does efficacy mean for these clinical trials? 
• What were the demographics of vaccine trial participants? What races/ethnicities were included?
• What new data has emerged since the clinical trials? 
• What are the statistics on getting COVID-19 if you get the vaccine (breakthrough infections)? (UPDATED*)

What to Expect When You Are Expecting (a Vaccine)

• Are the vaccines safe? 
• What are the ingredients available vaccines?
• What side effects are expected with the vaccines?
• 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? 
• What about the reports of allergic reactions/anaphylaxis?
• What can I do once I am fully vaccinated? 

Should I Get a Vaccine If…

• Can pregnant or breastfeeding people receive the vaccines? 
• Can kids receive the vaccine? 
• How should parental consent for individuals younger than 18 years receiving Pfizer vaccine be addressed and how should vaccine providers document it?
• 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?
• 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 that 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.