Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines
Everyone ages 6 months or older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Many people have questions about vaccinations. Are they safe? Should I get vaccinated if I’m pregnant? What if I’ve already had COVID-19 and recovered?
The doctors at Vecino Health Centers are helping make the information easy to understand with answers to these common questions.
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine here?
Yes, Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Health Center is a COVID-19 vaccination location and testing center. Vaccines are available by appointment. Call 713-674-3326.
COVID-19 vaccines and testing are also available at Vecino’s Airline Children & Women’s Health Center.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?
Yes. All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
More than 650 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Jassen vaccines continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in US history to ensure they are safe. Current safety information from the CDC.
Should I get a booster?
Boosters are recommended for most people.
According to the CDC guidelines, you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC.
COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are based on three things:
- Your age
- The vaccine you first received, and
- The length of time since your last dose
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
You are still up to date if you receive all COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended for you and then become ill with COVID-19. You do not need to be immediately revaccinated or receive an additional booster.
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. The vaccines don’t carry any parts of the virus, you cannot get sick with coronavirus from the vaccine.
If I've already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. You should get the vaccine even if you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection.
Learn more from the CDC: why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
Should I get the vaccine if I'm pregnant?
Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and older. This includes pregnant people, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and those who might become pregnant in the future. If you are pregnant, you can get vaccinated for COVID-19 in any trimester. Discussing the vaccination with your prenatal care provider before getting it is always recommended.
The prenatal care providers at Vecino Health Centers are available by appointment to explain the latest information on the safety of vaccines in pregnant women. In addition, they can help you decide if getting vaccinated is right for you and what to expect.
For the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women, visit the CDC website or schedule an appointment for prenatal care with Vecino’s team of providers.
Prenatal care is available at Vecino Health Centers. Call 713-674-3326 for more information.
Are there side effects after getting vaccinated?
You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.
Common side effects include:
On the arm where you got the shot:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
Throughout the rest of your body:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
Should I get vaccinated if I've tested positive for COVID-19?
Should children get vaccinated?
Yes, children 6 months older should get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Just like adults, children need protection from the virus for their health and the health of their family and friends. And if they do catch the virus, likely, they’ll not get as sick as they could without the vaccine.
