There is increasing evidence that vaccinated people who become infected with SARS-CoV-2 are less likely to experience long-term symptoms, also known as Long COVID (defined as symptoms lasting 3 months or more).
5. COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy
Several studies have shown that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not cause complications in pregnancy, either for expectant mothers or their babies.
6. Vaccines are safe while breastfeeding
Data from many thousands of people who received an mRNA vaccine while breastfeeding found no risk of side effects in breastfed babies.
7. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not alter DNA, or the genetic code
COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. The mRNA used in COVID-19 vaccines does not enter the cell’s nucleus where our DNA is kept, and therefore cannot interfere with our genetic code.
8. Side effects are rare and usually mild
The vast majority of known side effects are mild and short-lived, and serious side effects may occur but are very rare.
9. COVID-19 vaccines are continuously monitored for safety
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) – and individual countries – continuously monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and have established a robust system for reporting and investigating suspected side effects.
10. Vaccines are updated to protect against new variants
The COVID-19 vaccines authorised in the EU (and the UK) are regularly updated to help maintain optimal protection against the disease as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to change.
Bonus key facts about COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are:
- Not recommended for all children, as many do not get severely ill from COVID-19
- Not magnetic (or make you magnetic!), and do not contain microchips
- Not able to track you, or connect you to the interested
- Do not create or cause variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. As the COVID-19 virus spreads, it has more opportunities to change
- Do not affect fertility. Currently no evidence shows that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men
- Able to cause a more predictable immune response than an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. The virus can cause severe illness or death. You can also continue to have long-term health issues after COVID-19 infection. Getting sick with COVID-19 offers some protection from future illness. But getting a COVID-19 vaccine can provide added protection for people who already had COVID-19.
Summary
We have described 10 key facts about COVID-19 vaccines. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resource
10 COVID-19 facts
10 Long COVID facts
