COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. People who are pregnant or recently pregnant are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant. Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding the vaccine if you have any questions.

People who have recently had COVID infection may consider delaying their vaccine by 3 months

The currently available vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID, including from the Omicron variant. The updated bivalent boosters provide specific protection from the Omicron variant.

The vaccine commonly causes mild to moderate symptoms such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever which typically resolve in 1-2 days, and typically improve with Tylenol or Motrin. Worse side effects such as severe allergic reaction are very rare, and occur typically in patients who have a history of severe allergic reaction.

Yes. All the COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible.  Tens of thousands of people participated in clinical trials, including people of all ages, races and ethnicities. The trials also included people who have other health conditions, such as diabetes, HIV, heart disease, lung disease and more — and there were no specific complications for these groups, either. The top vaccine experts in the world reviewed and approved the results of these trials. For more information, visit the CDC website.

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You do not need to quarantine after receiving the vaccine.

We strongly encourage all patients to stay updated with COVID-19 vaccinations to protect themselves and their loved ones. If you have questions or concerns about your eligibility due to previous allergic reactions to vaccines, talk to your healthcare provider prior to vaccination.