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The COVID‑19 vaccine is our most powerful tool to stop the spread of the virus and to protect yourself and your loved ones. Every vaccination is important, and so is every question you may have about the vaccines. Independence Blue Cross along with [Employer Name], want to provide you with answers to some commonly asked questions.
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Q: Just how effective is the COVID‑19 vaccine?
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A: All currently authorized COVID‑19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID‑19.
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Q: It seems like the vaccine was approved quickly. Is it as safe as other vaccines I've gotten?
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A: COVID‑19 vaccines have gone through the same rigorous safety assessment as all vaccines before being authorized for use in the U.S. by the FDA. When it comes to safety, you can be assured there have been no shortcuts.
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Q: What's in the vaccine? Are the ingredients safe?
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A: Yes, the currently authorized vaccines were shown to be very safe in large studies. Researchers have studied vaccines for decades and they've found that our bodies recognize parts of the virus (not live virus), and then can build a response (antibody) to protect us from the disease. This means the vaccine helps our bodies remember how to fight the virus if we're infected in the future.
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Q: If I get the vaccine, are there any side effects?
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A: These side effects could include headache, vaccine injection site pain or fatigue and likely will not last longer than a day or two.
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Q: Do I REALLY need two shots?
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A: If you receive a two‑dose vaccine such as the Pfizer‑BioNTech vaccine or the Moderna vaccine, getting both doses is crucial to the vaccine working. The first shot starts to build immunity, the second boosts the immune response. By getting both shots, we protect not only ourselves, but those around us. The Janssen COVID‑19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) is a one‑dose vaccine that takes about two weeks to produce protective antibodies after injection.
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Q: I've already had COVID. Do I still need to get vaccinated?
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A: COVID‑19 has severe health risks, and we don't yet know how long natural immunity lasts. So, it's important to still get vaccinated even if you've had COVID‑19 to reduce the risk of reinfection‑to protect yourself and others around you.
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Q: Is the vaccine free? *
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A: Yes. The COVID‑19 vaccine will be available at no cost for Independence Blue Cross members. Don't forget to bring your member ID card when you go to get your vaccine.
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Find up-to-date information about COVID‑19 and vaccines at www.CDC.gov
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You may also visit the IBX COVID‑19 webpage
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