Can I Get COVID From The COVID Vaccine?

*Editor’s note: The information in this article is current as of January 11, 2021. We're updating our COVID-19 and vaccination information as frequently as possible. This data changes quickly, so we urge you to visit the CDC website for the most current information.

I’ve been reading a lot online about the COVID vaccine, especially on Facebook and other social media sites, and a few of the articles raise doubts about the safety of the vaccine. They suggest that there’s a possibility of getting COVID from the vaccine itself. Is this true?

Sincerely,
“Skeptical Susie”

The short answer to your question is that the COVID vaccine will not—in any way, shape, or form—cause COVID. It’s impossible.

While there are some vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, that contain live virus particles that have been weakened and altered, the COVID vaccine is not a live virus vaccine. Simply, the reason you can’t get COVID from the vaccine is that there is no COVID in the vaccine.

This vaccine is called a messenger RNA vaccine, or mRNA. While most vaccines use weakened or inactive versions or components of the virus to stimulate your body’s immune system to create antibodies, the mRNA vaccine does not. Instead, the vaccine contains a small piece of messenger RNA, which codes for the production of a protein located on the spike of the COVID virus. This triggers an immune response, which produces antibodies to that spike protein. And that’s what protects you from getting infected if COVID virus enters your body.

Even though the COVID vaccine is new, the science behind mRNA vaccines has been studied for several years. And one of the reasons why the vaccine was able to be produced so quickly is that mRNA technology allows for much shorter manufacturing times than traditional types of vaccines. Before these vaccines were approved, tens of thousands of people took part in clinical trials, and the most common side effects that were seen were mild to moderate in severity and included arm pain, low-grade fever, chills, or fatigue.

Finally, I’d encourage you to be wary of using social media for vaccine information. While sites like Twitter or Facebook can be great sources of support and connection, they can also have a dark side when it comes to providing accurate health information. Make sure to check the sources of any articles you see in your feed to ensure they’re from legitimate, reputable outlets. Or, if you have questions about vaccine safety, talk to your doctor. You can also find credible vaccine information on the CDC’s Vaccine Safety site, as well as on Northwell’s Coronavirus Digital Resource Center.

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