COVID-19 Vaccine Benefits and Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Benefits and Information

One of the strategies that health care providers use to effectively fight viruses and diseases is through vaccinations. Several COVID-19 vaccinations have been developed and approved to help reduce the spread of the virus and to protect the health and welfare of individuals around the world. As of April 29, 43.3% of the total U.S. population has received at least one dose of vaccine and about 30% of the total U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. In Tennessee, 34.9% of the state’s population has received at least one dose of vaccine and 26% has been fully vaccinated.

Safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 help reduce damages from the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccines:

  • help fewer people be infected.
  • lower the number of people who have to be cared for in the hospital.
  • reduce the long-term effects of COVID-19.
  • lower the number of deaths from COVID-19.

Currently, the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines, and the viral vector vaccine made by Janssen (a Johnson & Johnson company), are the only COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. 

Lipscomb University’s Health Center looks to medical and public health experts for updates on the status of COVID-19 vaccines. These experts include the following:

COVID-19 Vaccination Benefits

The benefits from being vaccinated assist in mitigating the virus to protect the health of our community and will limit disruptions to day-to-day activities. The institution reserves the right to institute surveillance testing at any time for all or for any group or segment of the Lipscomb community. The CDC has provided guidelines for fully vaccinated asymptomatic individuals here that includes exemption from screening tests, if feasible. Additionally, students, faculty and staff who require isolation or quarantine will be required to do so off campus. 

While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated. 

  • COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19
  • COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection
  • COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic

Read more about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination here. 

We strongly recommended all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination to be able to fully engage in in-person activities on campus. Lipscomb University Health Center has been certified as a leading facility to receive and distribute the COVID-19 vaccination series. University students 18 or older, faculty and staff can schedule a vaccination appointment with the Lipscomb Health Services Center by calling 615.966.6304 or by visiting another vaccine distribution location. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Research and Efficacy

The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen (a Johnson & Johnson company) vaccines are all highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. If you get the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, you will need two doses to fully protect you against COVID-19. The Janssen vaccine only requires one dose.

Large clinical trials showed that the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were 95 percent effective at preventing any illness from COVID-19 and had similar effectiveness against severe disease. Twenty-eight days after vaccination, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 100 percent effective against severe disease and 72 percent effective at preventing any COVID-19 illness.

What to Expect from the COVID-19 Vaccination

As is very common with multiple dose vaccines, patients may experience slight or uncomfortable soreness at the injection site for the first dose and may experience a slightly stronger reaction to the second dose since your body will already have antibodies built up from the first dose. This typically presents as uncomfortable soreness in the arm at the injection site, an elevated temperature for 24-48 hours and fatigue. Those who previously had COVID-19 may also experience similar reactions after the first dose for similar reasons. If you experience these reactions, please remain home until fever free and the reactions subside, which is usually within 24-48 hours. As with all medical procedures, if your symptoms persist or are more severe, seek immediate medical attention with your primary care physician or a hospital. 

Video Resource: What to Expect After Getting the COVID-19 Immunization

Vaccine side effects
Side effects are a sign that your immune system is building up protection against disease. Side effects for the COVID-19 vaccines include:

  • mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site where you get the vaccine;
  • fever, usually mild and short-lived;
  • chills;
  • feeling tired;
  • headache;
  • muscle and joint aches;
  • diarrhea (seen in Pfizer/BioNTech clinical trials);
  • nausea (seen in Moderna clinical trials); and
  • swollen lymph nodes in the same arm as the injection site (seen in Moderna clinical trials). 

Some people who received the vaccine reported worse fevers and aches than others. Side effects were usually short-lived and able to be managed with fever-reducing medications, such as Tylenol. For people who received the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, side effects were more common after the second dose than the first dose. 

No harmful side effects have been reported in clinical trials, however, it is possible that harmful side effects that are extremely rare could occur. More information will become available once we know more.

Allergic Reactions to Vaccines
Severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to vaccines are extremely uncommon. If a severe allergic reaction does occur, it typically happens within a few minutes to one hour after receiving the vaccine. However, some people have experienced non-severe allergic reactions (i.e., hives, swelling, and wheezing) within four hours after getting vaccinated.
You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if:

  • you have had a severe allergic reaction after the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
  • you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine.
  • you are allergic to polyethylene-glycol (ingredient in Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines) or polysorbate (ingredient in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that is closely related to PEG). 

For a list of vaccine ingredients, see the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson company) fact sheets.

People with a history of immediate allergic reactions — even if it was not severe — to other vaccines or injectable therapies should consult with their doctor before getting the COVID-19 vaccine, according to CDC recommendations.

Should I get a vaccine if I’ve had COVID-19?

We don’t know if or for how long after infection you will be protected from getting COVID-19 again. Current evidence suggests that it is uncommon to be reinfected with COVID-19 within the 90 days after your initial infection. It is recommended that you get the vaccine even if you have been infected. However, it is recommended that you do not get the vaccine if you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, according to state guidelines. This will help conserve limited vaccine supplies.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

CDC General COVID-19 Vaccine Information
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths and Facts 
COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions
Tennessee Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Information
 

NOTE: Page will be updated as needed. Last updated on June 22, 2021.