What Our Doctors Want You to Know
About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Getting vaccinated is the easiest and most effective way to protect yourself and your community. The vaccine prevents 99% of deaths and 94% of hospitalizations.

Health officials recommend the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for adults. If you would prefer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, speak to your health care provider.

The vaccine will not give you COVID-19, create an infection, or make you contagious.

The vaccine protects you against the delta and omicron variants of COVID-19, which are more contagious than other variants and can cause very serious illness.

Vaccinated individuals do not carry a higher viral load than unvaccinated individuals and, in fact, may carry less virus. A vaccinated individual is also far less likely to have serious symptoms of infection.

The vaccine cannot alter your DNA. It works with your immune system so you can better fight the virus if you are exposed.

The vaccine does not cause infertility in women who are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breast feeding. The vaccine protects you and your baby from COVID-19 complications.

You need the vaccine, even if you are young and healthy.

The vaccine is free for everyone regardless of age, insurance or immigration status. You cannot be turned away for any of these reasons.

The COVID-19 vaccine was built on decades of research. No steps were skipped.

If you had COVID-19, you still need the shot. Vaccines boost immunity, and we do not know how long natural immunity lasts.

For Moderna and Pfizer, two doses plus booster shots are recommended to give your body longer-lasting protection.

Starting the Conversation
with Your Doctor

Your doctor knows you and your medical history and can give you information and personal advice when you are making decisions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Don’t know where to start? Consider asking these questions during your next appointment.

  • Based on my medical history, would you recommend I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Based on my kids’ medical history, would you recommend they get the COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Are you currently offering COVID-19 vaccines at this clinic?
  • What kind of side effects can I expect if I get vaccinated?
  • What should I do if I think I’m having a severe reaction to the vaccine?
  • If I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant, would you recommend I get vaccinated?
  • I recently contracted COVID-19 – should I still get vaccinated and when?

Where to Learn More

We consider reliable resources for COVID-19 vaccine information to be public health departments, educational institutions, health systems, and medical professionals. These websites usually end in .org or .edu. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are not good sources for vaccine facts.

Check out one of these reliable health resources to learn more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The World Health Organization (WHO)

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH)

Cook County Health

COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program

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