• What is Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

  Comirnaty is an mRNA vaccine for use in people 12 years of age and older to protect against COVID-19. mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The mRNA from the vaccines is broken down within a few days after vaccination and discarded from the body.

  The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is a vaccine for use in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age to prevent COVID-19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under an EUA.

  The 2023-2024 formula is made the same way as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, but it encodes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage XBB.1.5 (Omicron XBB.1.5).

  The vaccine may not protect all people who receive the vaccine. It does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, it cannot give you COVID-19.

• Who should not get Comirnaty?
• What should I tell my vaccination provider before getting Comirnaty?
• How is the vaccine given?
• What are the possible risks of Comirnaty?
• What are the ingredients in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech). If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is Spikevax and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

  Spikevax is an mRNA vaccine for use in people 12 years of age and older to protect against COVID-19. mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The mRNA from the vaccines is broken down within a few days after vaccination and discarded from the body.

  The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is a vaccine for use in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age to prevent COVID-19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine under an EUA.

  The 2023-2024 formula is made the same way as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, but it encodes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage XBB.1.5 (Omicron XBB.1.5).

  The vaccine may not protect all people who receive the vaccine. It does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, it cannot give you COVID-19.

• Who should not get Spikevax?
• What should I tell my healthcare provider?
• How is the vaccine given?
• What are the risks of Spikevax?
• What are the ingredients in Spikevax?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA (Moderna). If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?

  The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has expired and is no longer available for use in the United States as of May 6, 2023.

  Viral vector vaccines use a harmless, modified version of a different virus (a vector virus), and not the virus that causes COVID-19. The vector virus delivers important instructions to our cells on how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

• What are the ingredients in the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?
• What should you mention to your vaccination provider before you get the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?
• How is the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine given?
• What are the risks of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about COVID-19 Vaccine, Viral Vector (Janssen). If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted?

  Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is available under emergency use authorization (EUA) to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 12 years of age and older.

  The vaccine is authorized for emergency use to provide:

  • A two-dose primary series to individuals 12 years of age and older.
  • A first booster dose to the following individuals at least 6 months after completion of primary vaccination with an authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine:
    • Individuals 18 years of age and older for whom an FDA-authorized mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is not accessible or clinically appropriate.
    • Individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted because they would otherwise not receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.  

  Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted contains the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and Matrix-M adjuvant. Adjuvants are incorporated into some vaccines to enhance the immune response of the vaccinated individual. The spike protein in this vaccine is produced in insect cells; the Matrix M-adjuvant contains saponin extracts from the bark of the Soapbark tree that is native to Chile.

• What should you mention to your vaccination provider before you get the vaccine?
• Who should not get the vaccine?
• How is the vaccine given?
• What are the risks of the vaccine?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (Novavax). If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Why get vaccinated?

  Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu).

  Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant people, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications.

  Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. If you have a medical condition, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, flu can make it worse.

  Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

  In an average year, thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.

• Influenza vaccines
• Talk with your health care provider
• Risks of a vaccine reaction
• What if there is a serious problem?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Influenza Vaccine, Inactivated or Recombinant. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is Fluad Quadrivalent?

  Fluad Quadrivalent flu vaccine (manufactured by Seqirus) is made with MF59 adjuvant, an additive that helps create a stronger immune response. Adjuvanted flu vaccine became available for the first time in the United States during the 2016-2017 flu season, when a trivalent version of Fluad was approved.

• What is MF59?
• When should I get vaccinated?
• What are the possible side effects?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Influenza Vaccine, Adjuvanted. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Why get vaccinated?

  Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) can prevent pneumococcal disease.

  Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia.

  Besides pneumonia, pneumococcal bacteria can also cause:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
  • Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)

  Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years of age, people with certain medical conditions, adults 65 years or older, and cigarette smokers are at the highest risk.

  Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss. Meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal disease can be fatal.

• PPSV23
• Talk with your health care provider
• Risks of a vaccine reaction
• What if there is a serious problem?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Why get vaccinated?

  Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease.

  Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia.

  Besides pneumonia, pneumococcal bacteria can also cause:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
  • Bacteremia (infection of the blood)

  Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years old, people with certain medical conditions or other risk factors, and adults 65 years or older are at the highest risk.

  Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss. Meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal disease can be fatal.

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• Talk with your health care provider
• Risks of a vaccine reaction
• What if there is a serious problem?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Why get vaccinated?

  Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. And, Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis.

  TETANUS (Lockjaw) is rare in the United States today. It causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body.

  • It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care.

  DIPHTHERIA is also rare in the United States today. It can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat.

  • It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

  PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.

  • It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which could include pneumonia or death.

  These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through secretions from coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

  Before vaccines, as many as 200,000 cases of diphtheria, 200,000 cases of pertussis, and hundreds of cases of tetanus, were reported in the United States each year. Since vaccination began, reports of cases for tetanus and diphtheria have dropped by about 99% and for pertussis by about 80%.

• Tdap vaccine
• Some people should not get this vaccine
• Risks
• What if there is a serious problem?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Why get vaccinated?

  Tetanus and diphtheria are very serious diseases. They are rare in the United States today, but people who do become infected often have severe complications. Td vaccine is used to protect adolescents and adults from both of these diseases.

  Both diphtheria and tetanus are infections caused by bacteria. Diphtheria spreads from person to person through secretions from coughing or sneezing. Tetanus-causing bacteria enter the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

  TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body.

  • It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of every 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care.

  DIPHTHERIA can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat.

  • It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

  Before vaccines, as many as 200,000 cases of diphtheria and hundreds of cases of tetanus were reported in the United States each year. Since vaccination began, reports of cases for both diseases have dropped by about 99%.

• Td vaccine
• Some people should not get this vaccine
• Risks of a vaccine reaction
• What if there is a serious reaction?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.