• All authorized COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing the most thorough safety monitoring in U.S. history.
• In the U.S., millions of people of all races and ethnicities have safely received the vaccination and are more protected from from COVID-19.
• Tens of thousands of people volunteered to help test the vaccines in clinical trials. These clinical trials showed that the vaccines are safe and work well. The vaccines have met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality.

• In developing vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers worked quickly, but not at the risk of people’s safety. Medical researchers did not cut any corners or skip any steps. Safety and effectiveness are always the top priorities.
• The timeline for developing COVID-19 vaccines was possible for several reasons:
  • Researchers relied on years of previous research in other viruses and vaccines to help inform a vaccine development process for COVID-19.
  • Everyone involved dedicated all of their resources and time to developing a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations.
  • Many governments around the world - including the U.S. government and private funders - invested in the vaccine, which allowed pharmaceutical companies to focus on research right away.
  • Finally, because of the financial support, researchers were able to conduct different parts of the development process on parallel tracks instead of one after another. Usually, each phase in a clinical trial ends before the next phase begins, with several months to a year or more in between each phase. Because of the emergency presented by the pandemic, researchers developed the vaccines on parallel tracks, meaning that they completed the necessary steps at the same time or with some overlap. No steps were skipped in the process of developing the COVID-19 vaccines.

• Today’s COVID-19 vaccines use only the ingredients needed to be as safe and effective as possible. Each ingredient in a vaccine serves a specific purpose - provide immunity (protection) and keep the vaccine safe and long-lasting.
• All COVID-19 vaccines contain antigens or elements that trigger the production of antigens. Antigens make vaccines work. They prompt the body to create the immune response needed to protect against infection. Antigens come in several forms. The form used in a COVID-19 vaccine is chosen because studies show it is the best way to protect against a particular infection.
• Other ingredients in vaccines may include preservatives, to keep germs out; adjuvants, to help boost the immune response to the vaccine; and additives, which help the vaccine stay effective while being stored. Each ingredient has a specific function and has been rigorously studied. These ingredients are safe for humans in the amounts used in COVID-19 vaccines.
• For a full list of ingredients, please see each COVID-19 vaccine’s fact sheet (Moderna, Pfizer, or Janssen).

• Janssen’s (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine includes ethanol - a form of alcohol - as an inactive ingredient.
• None of the currently authorized vaccines contain human cells or tissue. However, some human cell lines were used in the production of Janssen’s vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna used human cell lines to test their vaccines.
  • Human cell lines are sometimes used in the early stages of vaccine development because viruses from which those vaccines are made need living cells to reproduce. These cell lines originally came from fetal tissue more than 30 years ago. None of the original tissue remains today: all descended cells are grown in labs. No new fetal tissue is required in the ongoing development and production of vaccines.
  • As with all viral vector vaccines, multiple purification steps ensure that cells are not in the final vaccine product.
  • For more information about human cell lines, please see the College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s webpage Human Cell Strains in Vaccine Development.
• For a full list of ingredients, please see each vaccine’s fact sheet (Moderna, or Pfizer, or Janssen).

• No. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, and you will not need to prove lawful presence to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado.
• The Department of Homeland Security announced that vaccination sites will be considered sensitive locations. This means that ICE will not carry out enforcement activities at or near vaccination sites.
• State and local public health agencies will never share your information for any immigration or law enforcement purposes. And receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will not count against you in any public charge determinations.
• If a vaccine provider is demanding identification, you can report them by filling out the following form: covid19.colorado.gov/VaccineConcerns. You can also call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT. Multiple languages are available.

COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone 12 years of age and older.

• Yes. If you are immunocompromised you may receive a COVID-19 vaccine if you have no contraindications or reason to believe that getting the vaccination will be harmful to your health. Please talk to your health care provider if you have any questions.
• If you have a moderately to severely compromised immune system, you may benefit from an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine to make sure you have enough protection against COVID-19. Studies show that some people who are immunocompromised don’t build adequate levels of protection after receiving two doses of mRNA vaccines.
• More information can be found at CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.

• Yes. The best way to protect yourself and your baby from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. There is now more evidence than ever about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during and following pregnancy. The evidence shows that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during or following pregnancy. For more information about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, visit the CDC’s website.
• The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends that lactating individuals who get the vaccine continue breastfeeding their babies after being vaccinated. Breast milk contains antibodies and other components that can boost babies’ immune systems and protect babies from getting sick. Early research has shown COVID-19 antibodies are present in breast milk. It is believed that antibodies created after a breastfeeding individual receives the vaccine may also transfer into breast milk and could provide some protection to the baby.
• For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy, see CDPHE’s Pregnancy and breastfeeding FAQ.
• Additional actions you can take to protect yourself include wearing a mask in public, keeping your distance from people who don’t live with you, washing your hands frequently, and limiting gatherings. These precautions are especially important if you live in an area where COVID-19 is spreading widely.

• Yes. Children age 12 to 17 are recommended to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Clinical trials showed that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and extremely effective in this age group.
• Side effects for children were about the same as for adults.
• While children are less likely to get seriously sick or die from COVID-19 than adults, they are still at risk and can spread the virus to others. Vaccinating tweens and teens will help keep kids safe through the end of the pandemic.

• Yes. The CDC recommends that you get a vaccine even if you previously had COVID-19.
• Scientists are still learning more about how long you might be immune after recovering from COVID-19. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long in some people, and cases of reinfection have been reported.
• If you had COVID-19, CDC says you may wait a few months after your infection before getting the vaccine. It’s unlikely that you will get COVID-19 again during this time. However, you may choose to get the vaccine earlier than that as long as you have recovered from your infection.
• If you received a COVID-19-specific antibody treatment (e.g. monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma) while you were sick with COVID-19, you should wait at least 90 days after receiving the antibody treatment before getting the vaccine.

• You may experience mild to moderate side effects after receiving the vaccine. Side effects typically go away on their own after a few days. The most commonly reported side effects are:
  • Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
  • Pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection.
  • Fatigue.
  • Headache.
  • Muscle pain.
  • Chills.
  • Joint pain.
  • Nausea/vomiting.
  • Fever.
• Different people may experience different side effects, even if they receive the same vaccine.
• These symptoms are normal and show that your body’s immune system is responding to a vaccine. Other routine vaccines, like the flu vaccine, have similar side effects.
• If you experience discomfort after the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, it is very important that you still receive the second dose a few weeks later for full protection.
• For in-depth information about the side effects of the vaccines, see the CDC’s report on the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.
• The side effects after the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine might be more intense or cause more discomfort than side effects after the first dose. In some cases, the side effects may be bad enough to interfere with your work and other normal daily activities for a day or two.
• Under Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), you are entitled to paid sick leave from your employer to recover from side effects.
• If you are experiencing more intense side effects, stay well hydrated, rest, and consider  over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if they are normally safe for you to take). Side effects are proof that your body is building immunity in response to the vaccine and will typically go away on their own within a day or two.
• Even if you experience discomfort from the vaccine, it is important that you receive both doses for full protection.

No. There’s no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. For additional information, visit: CDC website, COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby.

• Yes, the vaccine is free. Providers should not ask you to pay for the vaccine or other administrative costs,  even if you don’t have health insurance.
• If you do have insurance, your provider may seek reimbursement from your health insurance company, but you should not be charged.
• In the unlikely event that your provider requires payment for your vaccine appointment, you should ask questions about what you are being charged for and why. You should ask for an itemized bill or receipt from the provider and then seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have one.
• If a vaccine provider is demanding payment, you can report them by filling out the following form: covid19.colorado.gov/VaccineConcerns. You can also call 1-877-COVAXCO (1-877-268-2926) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT. Multiple languages are available.
• If you encounter problems with your insurance company, you can contact the Division of Insurance by phone at 303-894-7490 or by email at DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.
• If someone is making you pay for a vaccine or a vaccine appointment, it may be a scam. You can report potential vaccine scams to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office at stopfraudcolorado.gov.

• Under Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), you are entitled to paid sick leave from your employer. Among other situations, the law requires employers to provide paid leave for employees who have an illness, injury, or health condition that prevents them from working. Also paid sick leave must be available if the employee is getting preventative care such as a vaccination.
• During a public health emergency, all employers, regardless of the size of the company, must immediately provide each employee additional paid leave. For example, employees who normally work 40 or more hours a week are entitled to 80 hours of paid sick leave.
• For more information about HFWA, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s website.