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FAQs
We need a national strategy on pandemic preparedness to prevent or otherwise lessen the impact of current and future pandemics. The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease is committed to raising awareness of threats posed by infectious disease and to advancing solutions to ensure future pandemic preparedness.


Pandemic preparedness must include addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and building understanding and confidence in vaccines.
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Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? Any vaccine approved or authorized by the FDA has gone through a rigorous testing and clinical trial process, involving highly-trained scientists and thousands of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. For more information, visit the CDC website.
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Is it safe for my child to get a COVID-19 vaccine?Yes. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. A child cannot get COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC’s website here.
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Some vaccines require two doses and others require one. Are all COVID-19 vaccines effective?Some vaccines require two doses and others require one. Some vaccines are mRNA and others are protein subunit or viral vector. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC website.
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How do I know if I need a first or more booster shots?The current CDC recommendation is that everyone age 5 years or older should get all primary series doses and the recommended booster dose or doses, if eligible. See the latest CDC recommendations here.
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If I already had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated or get a booster?Yes. While there have been reports of COVID-19 patients developing antibodies against the virus, it is unclear whether and how long they provide immunity against the virus. It is important to consult your physician with questions about receiving a vaccine booster shot, as there are important considerations relative to the timing of your first vaccine shot. The current CDC recommendations can be found here.
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What treatment options are available if I become infected?There are increasing treatment options available with many more being tested for future use. Learn more here.
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If the vaccines are not 100% effective, why should I get one?All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC website.
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Can you get COVID-19 through the vaccines?No, it not possible to get COVID-19 through a vaccination.
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Do the vaccines protect against variants?The longer it takes for the U.S. to reach more complete vaccination rates, the longer the virus has time to mutate. Getting your shot is the best way to help protect against variants. More information from the CDC on variants can be found here.
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Once I get vaccinated with the required number of doses, do I need to continue wearing masks and avoiding close contact with others?There are a number of basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, along with prevention actions that the CDC recommends to protect yourself, your household and your community from severe illness from COVID-19. The list can be found here on the CDC website.
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How long does it take for the vaccine to provide immunity, and am I permanently immune after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?The FDA, scientists and medical experts are continuing to study the virus and vaccines closely to understand how long immunity lasts. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. Learn more here as the CDC continues to review evidence and update guidance as new information becomes available.
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How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?There is no cost for the vaccines, which were purchased by the federal government to be distributed to the American people. Vaccination providers can charge a fee for administering the shot, but no one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay the vaccine administration fee.
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How confident are researchers in the science?Very confident. Existing and potential vaccines build on decades of research into similar other coronaviruses (MERS and SARS, in particular).
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Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? Any vaccine approved or authorized by the FDA has gone through a rigorous testing and clinical trial process, involving highly-trained scientists and thousands of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. For more information, visit the CDC website.
-
Is it safe for my child to get a COVID-19 vaccine?Yes. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. A child cannot get COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC’s website here.
-
Some vaccines require two doses and others require one. Are all COVID-19 vaccines effective?Some vaccines require two doses and others require one. Some vaccines are mRNA and others are protein subunit or viral vector. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC website.
-
How do I know if I need a first or more booster shots?The current CDC recommendation is that everyone age 5 years or older should get all primary series doses and the recommended booster dose or doses, if eligible. See the latest CDC recommendations here.
-
If I already had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated or get a booster?Yes. While there have been reports of COVID-19 patients developing antibodies against the virus, it is unclear whether and how long they provide immunity against the virus. It is important to consult your physician with questions about receiving a vaccine booster shot, as there are important considerations relative to the timing of your first vaccine shot. The current CDC recommendations can be found here.
-
What treatment options are available if I become infected?There are increasing treatment options available with many more being tested for future use. Learn more here.
-
If the vaccines are not 100% effective, why should I get one?All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC website.
-
Can you get COVID-19 through the vaccines?No, it not possible to get COVID-19 through a vaccination.
-
Do the vaccines protect against variants?The longer it takes for the U.S. to reach more complete vaccination rates, the longer the virus has time to mutate. Getting your shot is the best way to help protect against variants. More information from the CDC on variants can be found here.
-
Once I get vaccinated with the required number of doses, do I need to continue wearing masks and avoiding close contact with others?There are a number of basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, along with prevention actions that the CDC recommends to protect yourself, your household and your community from severe illness from COVID-19. The list can be found here on the CDC website.
-
How long does it take for the vaccine to provide immunity, and am I permanently immune after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?The FDA, scientists and medical experts are continuing to study the virus and vaccines closely to understand how long immunity lasts. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at protecting people — especially those who are boosted — from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as a result of infection from COVID-19. Learn more here as the CDC continues to review evidence and update guidance as new information becomes available.
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How much does the COVID-19 vaccine cost?There is no cost for the vaccines, which were purchased by the federal government to be distributed to the American people. Vaccination providers can charge a fee for administering the shot, but no one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay the vaccine administration fee.
-
How confident are researchers in the science?Very confident. Existing and potential vaccines build on decades of research into similar other coronaviruses (MERS and SARS, in particular).
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