Talking Points: Educating Residents/Staff About COVID-19 Vaccines

Development & Approvals

• Coronaviruses have long-been researched, providing the crucial building blocks for the development of vaccines protecting against COVID-19.
• SARS and MERS are two coronaviruses previously researched that have helped to inform strategies for developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
• When a vaccine is authorized for emergency use authorization (EUA) (like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines), it means known and potential benefits of a vaccine outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine.

Safety & Side Effects

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
• You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.
• For most people, these side effects will last no longer than a day or two.
• All the COVID-19 vaccines that are being used have gone through the same safety tests and meet the same standards as any other vaccines.
• A system is in place across the entire country that allows CDC to watch for safety issues and make sure the vaccines stay safe.
• Register with v-safe at cdc.gov/vsafe. The free tool uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe also reminds you to get your second dose if you need one.
• Even after you get your vaccine, you will need to keep wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth, washing your hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from other people you do not live with.
• Experts don’t know how long the vaccine will protect you, so it’s a good idea to continue following the guidelines from CDC and your health department.

Benefits & Calls to Action

• All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19.
• Experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you—including those most at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough.
• Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
• Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available.
• Stopping the spread starts with you.