COVID-19 Vaccine

A vaccine is a product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease. Vaccines work by training and preparing the body’s natural defenses—the immune system—to recognize and fight off the viruses and bacteria they target. If the body is exposed to those disease-causing germs later, the body is immediately ready to destroy them, preventing illness. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious-disease outbreaks to decrease mortality. Vaccines currently prevent millions of deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and influenza.

Prevention of infection is key. Public health officials and medical experts believe vaccination is an important step in helping to prevent or lessen the effects of this illness and its potentially devastating consequences. COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) can be a mild illness in some or lead to severe disease or even death in previously healthy people. Additionally, long-term complications of COVID-19 remain unknown. Many treatments and medications are being studied, but there is currently no cure.

Yes. The vaccine candidates are undergoing, or have completed, clinical trials like all other vaccines. Clinical trials are research studies performed on people to evaluate a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment—like a new drug, vaccine, or medical device—is safe and effective in people. Currently, clinical trials are evaluating investigational COVID-19 vaccines in thousands of study participants to generate scientific data and information for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine their safety and effectiveness. These clinical trials are conducted according to rigorous safety standards. FDA review has confirmed the safety of approved vaccines in the United States.

Multiple COVID-19 vaccines are under development. In the United States, four vaccines are undergoing large-scale phase 3 clinical trials (testing the vaccine on large groups of people to evaluate safety and effectiveness). Two have recently been approved for use in the United States and United Kingdom.

There was extreme urgency for vaccine development due to this unprecedented pandemic. Scientists and funding agencies have partnered to expedite vaccine development and rapidly move vaccine candidates through the process for preclinical and clinical assessment, including animal and human trials. This has been done under the federal government operation known as Operation Warp Speed (OWS). Participants in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials continue to be followed for long-term safety; but phase 3 trials can safely begin once pre-specified endpoints for phase 1 and 2 have been met. This has enabled researchers to advance into phase 3 clinical trials (testing the vaccine on large groups of people to evaluate safety and effectiveness) in six months instead of the usual two or more years. Parallel production preparation also cut down development time. It is important to note that the scientists are working both quickly and safely and that manufacturers of vaccines have been mass producing as their vaccine candidates have been tested. More information about OWS can be found at: hhs.gov/coronavirus/explaining-operation-warp-speed/index.html

Every vaccine must be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it is made available to the American public. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA and are being deployed throughout the country. Others will follow.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) during a public health emergency to allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases. For the FDA to issue an EUA, safety and efficacy must be demonstrated, and certain criteria must be met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for making sure that, just like any medications, any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies the same stringent review process to all vaccines regardless of manufacturer. FDA approval or authorization of a vaccine means that the agency has determined, based on substantial evidence and a stringent review process, the vaccine is safe and effective for its intended use. Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines have both been shown to be at least 94 percent effective and they have the same mechanism of action.

Vaccines are available now to eligible individuals. The most up-to-date eligibility information can be found at New Jersey vaccine hub. States are receiving an allocation of vaccine from the federal government. In New Jersey, the vaccine is distributed in a manner that is fair, ethical, equitable, and timely for New Jerseyans. The vaccine is being made available by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eventually, the vaccine will be available to all New Jersey residents. The goal of the NJDOH is to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population in the state, which will likely take many months.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is providing guidance on the prioritization order of who will receive the vaccine. For the most up-to-date information on eligibility requirements in New Jersey visit the State’s vaccine hub.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) collaborated with health care partners and immunization stakeholders to submit a vaccine plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in mid-October. The plan encompasses suggested priority groups for vaccination, logistics of vaccine storage and handling, and tracking and reporting of immunizations, among other items. The state is closely following progress on COVID-19 vaccine trials and potential Food and Drug Administration authorized or approved vaccine(s). The NJDOH will provide guidance to hospitals and health care providers regarding the allocation and administration of vaccine in New Jersey.

The State of New Jersey has launched a vaccination registration system for residents and those who work in New Jersey. You can reserve your spot to get a vaccine now by pre-registering.

No. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has already been determined in the phase 3 clinical trials conducted prior to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (see the question above about the issuance of an EUA). While the risk of severe adverse reactions to vaccines is low, there is a possibility of adverse reactions, so it is important for people who receive the vaccine to report any adverse reactions to their health care provider immediately.

Yes. The State of New Jersey has launched a vaccination registration system for residents and those who work in New Jersey. You can reserve your spot to get a vaccine now by pre-registering.

Currently, health care systems are leading the vaccination process in New Jersey for health care workers. If you are a Rutgers health care worker, you will be identified by your clinical location for your eligibility and timing for the vaccine.

The prioritization order for our staff is determined by the risk of exposure while at work, primarily by job setting, as has been identified as:

High risk: Direct patient care/contact with known COVID-19 positive patients or with infectious materials

Medium risk: Direct patient care/contact with patients who have unknown COVID-19 status

Low risk: Minimal patient care/contact with patients who have unknown COVID-19 status, or no patient care

No. At this time, it is voluntary. Your choice of whether or not to receive the vaccine at this time will not have an impact on your work assignment. However, the vaccines have been studied comprehensively and have been deemed safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration.

Most of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in phase 3 clinical trials in the United States require two consecutive doses three or four weeks apart, to complete the vaccine series. Other COVID-19 vaccines may require only one dose. Pfizer’s vaccine requires two doses in the vaccine series.

It is required that you return for the second dose at the appropriate interval—21 days after the first dose, at the same location. The vaccine will not be fully effective if you do not receive the second dose.

Moderna vaccine requires second dose at 28 days.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend discussing with your physician whether you should get the vaccine.

The appointment for vaccination will take approximately 30 minutes, including a 15-minute observation period after receipt of the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that during the pandemic people wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when in contact with others outside their household, including when in health care facilities, and when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes. Vaccines may boost your immune system so it is ready to fight the virus if you are exposed, but it is not yet fully understood whether vaccinated people might still be able to transmit the virus. Initially, there will not be enough vaccine globally to vaccinate everyone who wants the vaccine, and the virus will still be transmitted. Therefore, you will still need to wear a mask and follow other precautions such as practicing social distancing and frequently washing your hands to help reduce your chance of being exposed to and spreading the virus.

COVID-19 vaccination and adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations offer the best protection from COVID-19 and help stop the pandemic.

Yes, your choice to get the vaccine is a personal one and does not impact how you are expected to behave with regard to our COVID-19 policies.

Receiving the vaccine will have no effect on your work assignments.

If you are not feeling well, it is recommended that you wait until you are feeling better to get the vaccine. If you have scheduled an appointment to receive the vaccine and are not feeling well on the day of vaccination, it is best to reschedule your vaccine appointment. If you have symptoms and/or signs of respiratory infection, evaluation and testing as is appropriate from health care resources in your community is recommended.

The most common side effects are headache, cough, and muscle pain. These are more common after the second dose and are usually of short duration, lasting for less than 24 hours. There is also a potential for injection site reactions (redness, swelling, and pain, which are common and more severe after the second dose), as well as fatigue, chills, fever, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. These are common adverse reactions seen with other vaccines. There may be other reactions that are not currently known. If you experience common side effects from the vaccine it is still necessary to receive the second dose for the vaccine to be effective. If you have experienced a very severe allergic reaction in the past requiring emergency care, you should consult your primary care provider before receiving the vaccine.

If you experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine you should call your primary care physician. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration encourage the public to report possible side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The CDC is also implementing a new smartphone-based tool called v-safe to check in on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When an individual receives the vaccine, a v-safe information sheet should be provided explaining how to enroll. Those who enroll in v-safe will receive text messages instructing how problems or adverse reactions after receipt of the vaccine can be reported. The most common side effects are headache, cough, and muscle pain. These are more common after the second dose and are usually of short duration, lasting less than 24 hours.

You should contact your primary care physician or other provider to discuss your concerns.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is providing guidance on the prioritization order of who will receive the vaccine. For the most up-to-date information on eligibility requirements in New Jersey visit the State’s vaccine hub.

No decision has been made at this time.

Rutgers is consulting with the New Jersey Department of Health to develop a plan to address this.

Rutgers is consulting with the New Jersey Department of Health to develop a plan to address this.

No decision has been made at this time.

No decision has been made at this time.