About covid-19 vaccines | veterans affairs

Read this page to learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines protect you and how we know they’re safe. And get more information about COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

------------------------- VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS Scientists studied the original FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines in tens of thousands of people in clinical trials. The trials included people

of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. Scientists continue to monitor the effectiveness of the vaccines over time.   Results show that the vaccines work well in these ways: * THE

VACCINES HELP PROTECT YOU FROM GETTING COVID-19. Vaccines help train your body’s natural immune system to recognize and fight a specific disease by stimulating a response to the virus that

causes that disease. Over time, this protection decreases. So you may need additional vaccine doses to stay protected. * EVEN IF YOU GET COVID-19, THE VACCINES HELP PROTECT YOU FROM GETTING

SEVERE ILLNESS. Severe illness may mean having to go to the hospital, needing a ventilator to breathe, or having an illness that results in death. This protection is one of the main benefits

of vaccination. * THE VACCINES MAY PROTECT YOU FROM DEVELOPING LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID-19. People who get COVID-19 after vaccination are less likely to report these long-term effects.

Learn more about long-term COVID-19 effects on the CDC website * THE VACCINES OFFER GOOD PROTECTION AGAINST MOST COVID-19 VARIANTS. Variants are new forms of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Updated vaccines protect against newer variants.  We’re still learning about how long vaccines protect you from COVID-19. We’re also still learning how well vaccines protect you from

spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.  Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work on the CDC website ------------------------- VACCINES DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING The CDC and

other experts strongly recommend that people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding get a COVID-19 vaccine. RISKS OF COVID-19 DURING PREGNANCY Here’s what we know

about the risks of COVID-19 during pregnancy and how vaccines can help: * PREGNANT PEOPLE ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19. Severe illness may mean having to go to the

hospital, needing a ventilator to breathe, or having an illness that results in death. Pregnant people also have an increased risk of preterm birth.  * COVID-19 VACCINES CAN HELP PROTECT YOU

FROM COVID-19. Even if you do get COVID-19, a vaccine can help protect you from severe illness. * COVID-19 VACCINATION IN A PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING PERSON MAY PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION TO

THEIR NEWBORN. Some immunity may pass to the newborn through the placenta and through human milk. COVID-19 VACCINE SAFETY DURING PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING Here’s what we know about

COVID-19 vaccine safety in people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding: * YOU DON’T NEED TO GET A PREGNANCY TEST BEFORE YOU GET A COVID-19 VACCINE. The FDA

approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines don’t have ingredients that we know to be harmful people who are pregnant or to a developing fetus. * EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT COVID-19 VACCINES ARE SAFE

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PREGNANT OR PLANNING TO BECOME PREGNANT AND THEIR BABIES. Safety data for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) suggest that there are no increased risks

of miscarriage or harm to pregnant people or their babies. * COVID-19 VACCINATION BEFORE AND DURING PREGNANCY IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is beneficial to

both the pregnant person and the baby. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding on the CDC website * EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT COVID-19 VACCINES ARE SAFE FOR PEOPLE WHO

ARE BREASTFEEDING AND THEIR BABIES. Safety data for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) suggest that there are no increased risks to people who breastfeed or chestfeed. You

do not have to delay or stop breastfeeding to get the vaccine. * EXPERTS RECOMMEND PEOPLE WHO ARE BREASTFEEDING GET A COVID-19 VACCINE AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THEIR VACCINES. People who

receive COVID-19 vaccines while breastfeeding have antibodies in their breastmilk, which may help protect their babies. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding on

the CDC website * THERE’S NO EVIDENCE THAT COVID-19 VACCINES AFFECT FERTILITY AMONG THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO’VE RECEIVED THE VACCINES SO FAR. If you’re planning or trying to get pregnant,

experts recommend you get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you find out you’re pregnant after you get your first dose of a vaccine that requires 2 doses, you should still get the second dose. * IF YOU

HAVE A FEVER AFTER YOU GET YOUR VACCINE, YOU SHOULD TAKE ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL®). Fever, for any reason, during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. MORE

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES AND PREGNANCY Download our COVID-19 and women’s health fact sheet (PDF) Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy, and breastfeeding on the CDC

website You can also talk with your health care provider about getting your vaccine. Your provider is always the best person to answer questions about your unique health needs. Send a secure

message to your VA health care provider