This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Ronald Nahass.
The rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccines comes with many important questions. Are they safe and effective? How long do they last? Do you need to get vaccinated?
ID Care is the second largest infectious disease practice in the United States, and the largest on the East Coast. As New Jersey’s leading infectious disease specialists, the physicians and clinical research team members at ID Care have not only been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also have over 30 years of experience in the research and development of numerous vaccines.
To provide some clarity on the COVID-19 vaccines, ID Care’s Dr. Ronald Nahass answers your most pressing questions.
Why should I trust the COVID-19 vaccines?
For those who are hesitant about receiving a vaccine, it’s important to understand that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), has used the same strict standards in reviewing this vaccine that it has used on other vaccines for decades. Despite the rapid development, no steps have been skipped. Two independent advisory committees have reviewed the results – The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPCA) that advises the FDA, and The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that advises the CDC – and both have deemed the vaccines are safe and effective. Keep in mind, members and experts of both committees have no conflict of interest and are not associated with any vaccine manufacturers.
When and how long will I be protected by the COVID-19 vaccines?
Most of the vaccines are 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart. Partial protection occurs 1 week after the first dose, with 90% protection occurring 1-2 weeks after the second dose. Not enough time has passed to know how long the vaccines will be protective. However, the antibody responses with similar viruses such as SARS CoV1 and MERS have been shown to be present for up to three years after vaccination. Although unknown at the current time, moving forward it may be required to receive a vaccine shot for COVID-19 on a regular basis, similar to a flu shot.
After receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, will I still need to wear a mask?
After being vaccinated, a person will be immune to getting further infection, however it is unknown whether that person will still be able to spread the virus. Because of this, yes, mask wearing will still be required after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Similar to other vaccines, a large number of people in the community will need to get vaccinated before transmission drops enough to stop the use of masks.
What if I’ve already had COVID-19?
If a person has already been infected with COVID-19, they will be protected from further infection for some time, however it is unknown exactly how long. However, in order to vaccinate those who haven’t been infected with COVID-19 first, those who have had COVID-19 within a 90-day period before the vaccine is available to them will not be vaccinated. After that 90-day period is over, those who have been infected will be offered the vaccine. And yes, receiving a COVID-19 immunization is recommended at that time.
Where should I look to get accurate information on the COVID-19 vaccines?
Reliable sites on the internet for information on the COVID-19 vaccines include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food & Drug Administration
- State of New Jersey Department of Health
In addition, you can always contact us at ID Care for the most up-to-date and accurate information. However, vaccines are not yet available for the general public at this time. If you would like to pre-register for a vaccine, you can do so at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/en-US/.
Do Your Part to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
At ID Care, we’ve been responsible for treating over 25% of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the state of New Jersey. We’ve seen the devastating effects of this disease firsthand and feel compelled to reinforce the importance of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Remember, vaccination resulting in long-lasting immunity in all populations is the most effective way of establishing herd immunity and defeating COVID-19. If you feel apprehensive about getting the vaccine, or have any further questions, feel free to call 908-281-0610 to talk to an ID Care expert or visit idcare.com to learn more.