COVID-19 Vaccine Information Hub

There are two COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA. The Pfizer vaccine is given in two shots, 21 days apart, and is authorized for use in people 16 years of age and older. The Moderna vaccine is given in two shots, 28 days apart, and is authorized for use in people 18 and older. There are also several other vaccines in various stages of clinical development.

The Pfizer vaccine is given in two shots, three weeks apart. The Moderna vaccine is given in two shots, four weeks apart. Both vaccines are given as an injection into the muscle. You must receive the same vaccine for both doses.

The Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines are about 95% effective at preventing symptomatic illness for COVID-19 after both doses are received, according to FDA data.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccines increase the body’s immune response by making antibodies. These antibodies block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from injecting itself into human cells, thereby preventing it from reproducing and making you sick.

There are a few variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that scientists are actively tracking. These include the B.1.1.7 variant, first reported in the U.K.; the B.1.351 variant, first reported in South Africa; and the P.1 variant, first reported in Brazil. Research is underway to see how effective the currently authorized vaccines are against these variants.

As of January 2021, it appears that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work as intended against the B.1.1.7 variant. They appear to be somewhat less effective against the B.1.351 and P.1 variants, which includes a mutation that impacts the spike protein’s ability to infect a cell. However, even with this reduction, the vaccines still offer significant protection. Moderna announced they are developing a booster shot to better target B.1.351 and other emerging strains.

The CDC has more information on these variants online.

No. You cannot become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from the vaccine.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines include one little piece of what’s known as messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA contains genetic instructions, which tell your cells to produce a viral “spike” protein. Your immune system recognizes this as a “threat” and mounts a response, producing antibodies that protect you against future infection.

The little piece of RNA in the vaccine cannot replicate itself and it does not have any of the components needed to infect your body or spread the virus.

The ingredients for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are listed on the FDA website.

The ingredients include:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA) – the active ingredient that causes your body to produce antibodies
• Lipids – these create the fatty shell that protects the mRNA as it is stored, administered and delivered to cells
• Salts, sugar and other compounds – to maintain the proper pH balance and stabilize the vaccine

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use the same mRNA technology, but contain different ingredients to protect the mRNA, maintain the pH, and stabilize the solution. Neither vaccine uses the live virus that causes COVID-19, and neither contains eggs or preservatives.

Johnson & Johnson issued a press release announcing Phase 3 clinical trial results for their single dose COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 29. It was found to be 72% effective in the U.S (and 66% overall) at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, 28 days after vaccination. It was also found to be 85% effective against severe disease after 28 days, with no hospitalizations or deaths after this time.   

What’s different about this vaccine? The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses what’s known as “viral vector” technology. This means a harmless cold virus is engineered to contain the gene for the SARS-CoV-2 “spike” protein. Once someone gets this shot, their body mounts an immune response and produces antibodies that prevent them from a future severe COVID-19 infection.   

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine does not need to be transported frozen like the two currently authorized vaccines. This means it will be easier to store and distribute to smaller offices and outlying areas.

When is it likely to be available? Johnson & Johnson applied for emergency use authorization (EUA) with the FDA on Feb. 4.

As of February 2021, COVID-19 has killed more than 465,000 people in the United States. This is significantly more deaths than other viruses that we routinely vaccinate against, such as influenza, which according to the CDC typically causes 24,000 to 62,000 deaths in the U.S. per year.

In addition to the high death toll, COVID-19 can also cause other long-term complications. The COVID-19 vaccine will save lives and decrease the likelihood of long term COVID-related problems involving the brain, heart and lungs.

COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and death rates are disproportionately higher in lower-income communities and communities of color. Vaccines are needed to stop the virus and prevent COVID-19’s devastating health, social and financial effects on lower-income communities of color.

No. Just like getting the flu vaccine shot is not mandatory, getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not be mandatory either. However, it will likely be highly encouraged as a way to protect yourself and those around you.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have undergone rigorous review, after which the FDA authorized them for emergency use.

We understand there may be skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among people of color, because of historical medical racism and experimentation in people of color. The COVID-19 clinical trials included people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The vaccine was found to be effective and safe for all participants. Participants in the original clinical trials will continue to be followed for two years.

Experts believe getting the approved shots, along with wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding indoor crowds is the best way to protect yourself, your family, your friends and your community.

Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines work by helping your body produce antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that help fight infections from viruses, bacteria and other germs. Mild symptoms are common as when the body produces antibodies, and are not a sign of infection.

In ongoing clinical trials, the most common side effects included:

• Pain at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Joint pain
• Mild fever

Side effects are generally mild and went away after a day or two. They are likely to be more pronounced after the second shot.

As with any vaccine, there is a low chance of allergic reaction. If you have a history of severe allergic reaction to other vaccines, please talk to your doctor about whether you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes. Mild adverse reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, body and muscle aches, fatigue, and mild fever, are common. Serious adverse reactions may occur but are very rare.

Of the millions of COVID-19 vaccinations that have now been given in the United States, there have been a small percentage of adverse reactions reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). There have been less than 75 cases of anaphylaxis (serious life-threatening allergic reaction) reported out of 6 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna administered. This is within an expected level for a vaccine.

All UCLA Health facilities providing COVID-19 shots have staff with proper training and resources to care for those that experience adverse reactions.

No, but you should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine or if you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine.

Below is some additional information and context.

• Between Dec. 21, 2020 and Jan. 10, 2021, more than 4 million first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the United States.   
• Within this group, 1,266 adverse events were submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), representing 0.03% of vaccinations.
• From this list, 108 were identified as possible cases of severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
• Of these case reports, 10 cases were determined to be anaphylaxis, including 9 in people with a documented history of allergies or allergic reactions, 5 of whom had a previous history of anaphylaxis. This represents a rate of 2.5 anaphylaxis cases per million Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.

All UCLA Health facilities providing COVID-19 shots have staff with proper training and resources to care for those that experience adverse reactions. Please talk to your doctor if you have additional questions.

If you take aspirin, acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil) for a medical reason, you can continue to take it as directed. However, we suggest that you do not take any of these medicines before getting your vaccine shot because they could dull your body’s immune response.

If you have a fever or body aches after being vaccinated, you may take these medicines as needed.

It is better to get vaccinated. Getting the actual COVID-19 disease is much worse.

With the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, you get only one piece of the virus’s RNA, which is not able to replicate itself or spread. However, it does help you build up antibodies to keep the spike protein from infecting your cells.

When the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, infects a cell, it injects all of its own genetic material into the cell to begin replicating itself. Contracting the virus naturally can cause both direct damage to cells and inflammation due to your immune system reacting, which can harm the entire body.

We don’t know. The Pfizer and Moderna clinical trials tested the vaccines ability to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 disease in vaccinated individuals. The trials did not test if vaccinated individuals could still become infected with COVID-19 or transmit the illness. But just because this wasn’t tested in the clinical trials doesn’t mean the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t preventing vaccinated individuals from catching and transmitting the disease. Based on experience with other vaccines and early data, it is likely that people who are vaccinated will at most have an asymptomatic illness, and will be less likely to pass the virus to others.

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t reach its full effectiveness until about two weeks after the second shot. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after their vaccination and still get sick.

We do not know yet. Clinical studies have so far followed patients for only a few months after vaccination. Patients in the studies will eventually be followed for two years. After that, we should know more about how long immunity lasts.

For most people, the answer is yes. The vaccine is currently authorized for use in people 16 years of age and older.

You should talk to your health care provider before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if any of the following apply:

• You have severe allergies
• You have a bleeding disorder
• You are on a blood thinner
• You are immunocompromised
• You are on a medication that affects your immune system
• You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• You are breastfeeding
• You have a fever

You should also talk to your doctor if you have any questions, either in general or specific to your medical history.

You should not get the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine, or if you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine.

You should not get the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine, or if you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine.

You can find the ingredients and fact sheets for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines here.

You must be 16 years of age and older to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and 18 years of age and older to receive the Moderna vaccine.

Yes. There is not currently enough information available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again, so you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have already recovered. You cannot receive the vaccine if you have an active COVID-19 infection.

Yes. If you recently received monoclonal antibody therapy or convalescent plasma to treat a COVID-19 infection, you should defer your vaccination for at least 90 days from when you last received that therapy. If you received this therapy after your first vaccine dose but before your second, you should defer your second dose for at least 90 days following receipt of the therapy.

If you are receiving antibody therapies not specific to COVID-19 treatment, such as intravenous immunoglobulin, you do not need to wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

The CDC recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine should be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after receiving any other vaccine. If the COVID-19 vaccine is inadvertently administered within 14 days of another vaccine, doses do not need to be repeated for either vaccine.

Yes. Pregnant women have two options – to get a vaccine when it’s available to them or to wait for more information about how the vaccine affects pregnant women, since they were not included in clinical trials. This is a decision best made in collaboration with a health care professional who knows your personal medical history.

The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination. UCLA Health also stands by this statement from the ACOG and SMFM regarding the World Health Organization's position on this topic.

The COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to people who are lactating/breastfeeding. Although lactating individuals were not part of the vaccine clinical trials, based on experience with other vaccines, the benefits of vaccine outweigh any safety concerns. You do not have to delay or stop breastfeeding if you receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers additional guidance on this topic.

Yes, you can safely get the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve received injectable dermal fillers. Infrequently, people who have received dermal fillers may develop swelling at or near the site of filler injection (usually in the face or lips) after a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This appears to be temporary and can resolve with medical treatment, including corticosteroid therapy. Please reach out to your primary care physician if you have any questions.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently authorized for people 16 and older and the Moderna vaccine is authorized for people 18 and older. Before a vaccine can be offered to children under 16, clinical trials must be run in different age groups to test its safety and effectiveness.

Both Pfizer and Moderna announced that they are running clinical trials to test the vaccine in kids 12 and older. This trial is expected to be run in early 2021 and to be completed by mid-summer. No clinical trials have been announced for children under 12.

In most cases, yes. People with medical problems can and should receive the vaccine if they do not have a severe allergy to the ingredients in the vaccine. This includes people living with HIV, autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus, or any other medical problem that leads to a weakened immune system. If you have questions, please talk to your doctor.

Yes. If you are a transplant recipient, you should get vaccinated. Discuss optimal timing to receive your vaccine with your transplant doctor. One of the easiest ways to connect with your doctor is through the myUCLAhealth patient portal. If you do not have an account, please create one today.

For additional guidance on this topic, please see information from The Transplantation Society and the American Society of Transplantation.

In general, the answer is yes. COVID-19 poses a much greater risk to your health than the risks posed by vaccination. There may be special circumstances in which individuals awaiting a transplant should not be vaccinated, such as if they had a very recent transplant or are receiving treatment for transplant organ rejection or allergic reactions. Please contact your transplant team before you receive any vaccination.

Reach out to your clinical trial study team coordinator with questions about your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology, used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, is new, but not unknown. While this is the first time mRNA has been used in a licensed vaccine, the structure and technology have been studied for years. Advancements in biology and chemistry have improved mRNA vaccine safety and efficacy, and it is now thought to be less dangerous than other types of vaccines.

Given the importance of stopping the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine experts focused their time on developing a safe and effective vaccine. They used pre-existing vaccine models that have been studied for years.

Each vaccine was developed and tested following the same rules as other medications and vaccines that have been approved for use, such as antibiotics and the flu shot.

No. There is no way for the COVID-19 vaccine to alter your genetic material (DNA).

RNA is a short-lived, temporary messenger, and it only works in one direction. This means that the RNA does not interact with your DNA and never enters the part of the cell where your DNA is located.

The vaccine was created by expert scientists, not the government. Under “Operation Warp Speed,” the U.S. government provided additional money and support to assist in the production and distribution of the vaccine.

The vaccine does not contain a live or whole virus, microchip, or any other harmful items. Each vaccine was developed and tested following the same rules as other medications and vaccines that have been approved for use, such as antibiotics and the flu shot.

No. There’s absolutely no evidence that the vaccine interferes with fertility or pregnancy.

The vaccine includes only one protein of the virus, which causes your immune system to respond against it. This is something our bodies are used to — it happens every day.

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine will cause autoimmune problems. The immune response caused by the vaccine only targets the spike protein of the virus, not the other cells in your body.

No. UCLA Health is working with the CDC and California Department of Public Health to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be able to do so in an equitable and orderly way. However, additional vaccine educational outreach is being made to communities of color to help stop the high rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalizations, and death seen in Black, Latino, and Indigenous people.

The US has a history of medical racism and unethical experimentation on people of color. The National Research Act of 1974 outlawed unethical human experimentation on people of color and other vulnerable groups.

The COVID-19 vaccines were created by people of diverse backgrounds and reviewed by leading doctors and scientists of color, including the president of Meharry School of Medicine. The vaccines were tested in people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds and was found to be safe and effective.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been endorsed by the National Medical Association and the National Hispanic Medical Association, the country’s leading organizations of Black and Latino doctors.

The State of California requires that the COVID-19 vaccine be made available first to those facing the greatest risk. This includes health care workers, staff and residents of skilled nursing facilities, staff and residents of long-term care facilities, and all residents who are 65 and older.

UCLA Health has invited all active patients who are 65 and older to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not a UCLA Health patient, you can schedule your vaccination appointment online through the LA County Department of Public Health website. (See information for Ventura County and Orange County.)

The next groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccination include people ages 16-64 who meet the employment criteria for Phase 1B of the state’s current distribution plan. These include people who have jobs in education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture. Please see the state’s detailed information on all essential workforce employment sectors and then complete your employment questionnaire in myUCLAhealth.

We are awaiting additional guidance from the state and county about when we can offer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients with high-risk medical conditions. We plan to review our patients’ medical records to identify people with these conditions.

While the vaccine supply remains limited, we are inviting our most vulnerable, highest risk patients first. This determination is based on age, medical conditions, and social/demographic factors.

We’re committed to working with LA County, the California Department of Public Health and the CDC to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be able to do so in an equitable and orderly way. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated wherever they can get it the soonest.

The LA County Dept. of Public Health has a helpful guide that details distribution plans and phases. Phase 1A includes all health care workers, as well as staff and residents of skilled nursing facilities and long-term care facilities. Everyone in phase 1A is available to receive the vaccine now.

Phase 1B, tier 1 includes people who are 65 and older and people who work in education and childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture. As of February 2021, only people 65 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They can schedule an appointment through the LA County website (or Ventura or Orange County website), or book an appointment at UCLA Health.

UCLA Health launched an employment survey in myUCLAhealth so that patients can share details about their current job to determine COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

The state has detailed information on professions included in the “essential workforce” designation, as well as information on jobs that all within education and childcare. After reviewing this information, please complete your survey.

Need help? Click here for detailed instructions on how to find and complete your employment survey.

UCLA Health has now invited all active patients who are 65 and older to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. Invitations were sent via email from sender "UCLA Health" (myhealth@e.uclahealth.org), with the word "invitation" in the subject line. If you do not have an email on file or you have unsubscribed from email updates, your invitation letter was sent by mail to your home address. Please follow these step-by-step instructions (in Spanish) to schedule in myUCLAhealth.

If you are a UCLA Health patient who is 65 or older and you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine invite, please reach out to your doctor.

UCLA Health is following public health guidance for prioritizing and administering the COVID-19 vaccine to those facing the greatest risk. We assure you that each UCLA patient will be offered the opportunity to get vaccinated.

We are committed to vaccinating as many people as possible and are currently working on a plan to distribute the vaccine more broadly. Keep checking this website for updated information.

Likely sooner than others in your family. Transplant patients have an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to their immunocompromised state. This means you will likely receive your notice to be vaccinated before others in your family without a transplant.  

One of the easiest ways to be notified and to schedule for the vaccine is through the myUCLAhealth patient portal. If you do not have an account, please create one today.

No. UCLA Health will continue to receive vaccines produced by different manufacturers, and for now, patients will not be able to choose which vaccine they receive.

It is important that you receive the same vaccine for both doses, as vaccines cannot be “mixed.” For example, if you receive the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you must get a Pfizer vaccine for your second dose. This is the same for the Moderna vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free. If you have insurance, your insurance provider may be charged for the vaccine administration, but there will be no out-of-pocket cost for you. If you don’t have insurance, there is no cost.

Your invitation to schedule your vaccination appointment will be sent via email from "UCLA Health" (myhealth@e.uclahealth.org), with the word "invitation" in the subject line. If you do not have an email on file or you have unsubscribed from email updates, your invitation letter will be sent by mail to your home address.

Once you receive an invitation, please follow these step-by-step instructions (in Spanish) to schedule in myUCLAhealth. You will be able to choose the date, time and location in myUCLAhealth. If you do not have a myUCLAhealth account, create one today.

We are currently distributing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. You will not be able to choose which vaccine you receive. You must receive the same vaccine for both doses.

After you receive your first dose of the vaccine, you will be prompted to return to myUCLAHealth to schedule your second dose 3-4 weeks later.

If you have not yet been invited by UCLA Health, you can check the LA County, Ventura County or Orange County website, depending on where you live, to see if you can schedule your vaccination appointment through a local department of health.

We use a standard health care model to identify active patients. You are considered an active UCLA Health patient and will receive an invitation if you fall in one or both of these categories: 

• Primary care: You have had at least one primary care appointment (in-person or telehealth) in the prior 3 years. Immediate care visits do not apply.
  
• Specialty care: You have had at least two specialty care appointments with any UCLA specialist (in-person or telehealth) in the prior 2 years. Ancillary lab draws and imaging appointments do not apply. 

Given these criteria, if you don’t think you’d be considered an "active" UCLA Health patient, you can book an appointment for a video or in-person visit or establish care with a primary care physician. We update our list every day, and continually pull our most vulnerable, highest risk patients within the eligible tier to the top of the list.

No, please do not check in with or show up at our vaccine sites to see if extra doses are available. Invited patients can schedule their vaccination appointment in myUCLAhealth. In order to avoid wasting doses, we book all appointment slots. Please remain patient, and do not come to our offices without an appointment.

The second vaccination dose should be received 21 days after the first dose for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days after the first dose for the Moderna vaccine.  

The CDC offered additional guidance on this topic, noting that if it is not feasible to receive the second dose within the recommended interval, it may be scheduled up to six weeks (42 days) after the first dose. While there is limited data on how well vaccines administered beyond this window will work, if a second dose is given beyond the six-week window, the CDC notes that there is no need to restart the series.

It is important to get the vaccine when it is offered to you. Strategies are in place to provide the vaccine to those highest at risk first.

If you are concerned about potential long-term side effects related to vaccination, please note that all previous vaccine studies show that serious vaccine-related side effects normally occur within 6-8 weeks (2 months) after a vaccine shot. Approximately 100,000 people received the vaccine more than 6 months ago and there have been no serious side effects.

Getting the vaccine will keep you safe and other people safe who cannot receive the vaccine. It is important that everyone who can get the vaccine get it so that we can end the pandemic through herd immunity.

Yes. Once you have been offered the opportunity to schedule your vaccine appointment, this order will not expire, and you may self-schedule later through myUCLAhealth. However, it is important to get the vaccine when it is offered to you to keep yourself and your community safe.

Once you receive an offer to schedule the vaccine appointment, it will not expire, and you can wait to schedule your appointment. While our goal is to offer vaccinations close to where patients live or work, we may not be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccine at your regular doctor’s office.

No. Based on allocation and distribution plans, you should plan to receive your second vaccine dose at the same location where you received your first vaccine dose.

If you received your first dose through LA County, their website notes that they will email you to confirm the date and place for your second dose appointment. If you received your first dose at a pharmacy, health center or city clinic, please contact that provider or site to confirm your second dose.

If you already received the COVID-19 vaccine elsewhere, such as through your employer or through a health department, please inform your UCLA Health provider. They can update your immunization records to reflect this. We will also be able to query outside registries to identify patients who received the vaccine outside UCLA Health and update their immunization records accordingly.

Yes. While data suggest the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very effective, no vaccine is 100% effective, and we do not yet know how long immunity will last after getting the two required shots. Therefore, we must continue to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing a face covering, practicing physical distancing and avoiding indoor crowds. UCLA Health will continue to follow universal masking in all medical clinics and hospitals even after employees and patients start receiving the vaccine.

According to CDC guidance, fully vaccinated people who have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 do not need to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are fully vaccinated, meaning it’s been at least 2 weeks since they received their second dose in a two-dose series or at least 2 weeks since they received a single-dose vaccine
• Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
• Have not had symptoms since the COVID-19 exposure

If they do not meet all three criteria, they should still follow current quarantine guidance.

UCLA’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force hosted a town hall on Jan. 14 to discuss the university’s planned approach to vaccine distribution and what to expect in the next few months.