No, COVID-19 vaccines are not experimental. They are based on science that has been around for decades. The vaccines went through all the required stages of clinical trials, and extensive testing and monitoring have shown that they are safe and effective. Click here to read more about the development process.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

Given the urgent need for COVID-19 vaccines, unprecedented financial investment and scientific collaboration took place. This allowed for an expedited process. Although none of the steps in the research and development process were skipped, some happened in parallel, while still maintaining strict clinical and safety standards. The accelerated pace at which the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, therefore, is due to the scale of the financial and political commitment to the process – nothing else.

More information about COVID-19 vaccine development is available here.

(Source: Word Health Organisation)

COVID-19 vaccine ingredients vary by manufacturer. However, none of the vaccines contain eggs, gelatine, latex or preservatives. They are also free from metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium and rare earth alloys. And no vaccine contains manufactured products such as microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes or semiconductor nanowires.

Read more about the ingredients of the authorised COVID-19 vaccines by clicking on the links below:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson
• Ingredients included in COVID-19 vaccines

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

mRNA vaccines use a copy of a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce an immune response. The mRNA vaccine technology is not new. In fact, it has been studied for several decades, including in the context of Zika, rabies and influenza. These vaccines are not “live virus” vaccines and do not interfere with human DNA. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been rigorously assessed for safety, and clinical trials have shown that they produce a highly effective immune response against disease.

More information about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work is available here.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

A study on the spread of COVID-19 found that vaccination is an important tool in decreasing the spread of the virus. Please see the below extracts from the studies, titled “COVID-19 vaccines and decreased transmission of SARS-CoV-2”; and “Prevention of host-to-host transmission by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines”:

“Current clinical evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccination protects against severe symptoms of the disease but is also an important tool to decrease the spread of the virus and the rate of infection. At this point in time, the global COVID-19 pandemic is complex, some countries have vaccinated a large portion of their population, others have difficulty accessing vaccination, and there is a wide variety of measures put in place and closures between the countries. These discrepancies may bring out variants of the virus and prolong the global pandemic phase. Vaccinated individuals are likely to be less likely to transmit the virus; however, it remains critical to continue to maintain responsible behaviors.” (Vitiello et al., Inflammopharmacology 2021)

(Source: COVID-19 vaccines and decreased transmission of SARS-CoV-2)

“As vaccine uptake increases globally, we are beginning to see suppression of person-to-person SARS-CoV-2 transmission. By leveraging various arms of the adaptive immune response in both mucosal and systemic environments, several of the available vaccines appear to limit infection and viral replication, often lowering viral load beneath the threshold for transmission and preventing symptoms. Although many studies show significant efficacy in preventing transmission for some vaccines, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, scant data exist for other approved vaccines, such as the Sinopharm vaccine and Sputnik V (Mostaghimi et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2021)

(Source: Prevention of host-to-host transmission by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines )

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available to you. You should be vaccinated to protect yourself and to protect those around you.

(Source: Word Health Organisation)

Serious cases do occur among younger, healthier people also warn of the potential long-term health effects of COVID-19 infection, even for those who experienced only mild illness. In addition, young people can still be carriers of the virus and contribute to a community spread of the virus without ever experiencing any symptoms. This is why you should still get vaccinated.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

Yes. It’s not clear yet for how long one is protected from getting COVID-19 again after you have recovered from it. Getting vaccinated after a COVID-19 infection is a way to strengthen your immune response and further reduce your chances of contracting it again. Also watch this video on why you should get vaccinated.

(Source: Word Health Organisation)

Only a small number of people who received a COVID-19 vaccine have reported allergic reactions. A severe allergic reaction – such as anaphylaxis – is a potential but rare side effect with any vaccine. In persons with a known risk, such as an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine, or to any of the known components in the vaccine, precautions may need to be taken.

If you have had an allergic reaction to vaccines or other medicine in the past, consult your doctor before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

All healthcare workers administering vaccines are trained to recognise and treat any allergic reactions.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. A COVID-19 vaccine cannot give you COVID-19.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

The COVID-19 vaccine is closely monitored by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and international bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), to detect serious and unexpected side effects.

Click here to read a report by SAHPRA on adverse events following immunisation.

(Source: SAHPRA)

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not create variants of the COVID-19 virus. New variants occur because the virus constantly changes through an ongoing natural process of mutation. Even before we had the COVID-19 vaccines, there were several variants of the virus. Variants are expected to continue to emerge as the virus continues to change.

COVID-19 vaccines, however, can help prevent new variants from emerging. As it spreads, the virus has more opportunities to change. High vaccination coverage in a population reduces the spread of the virus, which helps prevent new variants from being created.

(Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

If you have a chronic condition or are on medication, contact your doctor to discuss your vaccination.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

If you have a pre-existing condition or are on medication, contact your doctor to discuss your vaccination. If you do not have your own doctor, you can also dial 0800 029 999 during office hours and select option 3. There will be a health professional available to assist you.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

Yes, vaccination is safe for pregnant women. In fact, because pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, it is advised that vaccines are offered to all pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy through the links below:

• National Department of Health circular
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations

(Source: National Department of Health and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

Yes, this is normal. Vaccines are designed to give you immunity without the dangers of getting severe disease. It is common to experience some mild-to-moderate side-effects when receiving vaccinations.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

The most common side-effects that occur after vaccination are mild. They include: pain, swelling, or redness where the vaccine was injected, mild fever, chills, feeling tired, headache muscle or joint aches.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

The body’s immune system takes up to 14 days to develop strong immune responses after the first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. With mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer and Moderna), there is some protection two weeks after the first dose, but the best protection is achieved after the second dose. There is good data emerging that shows that asymptomatic infection is uncommon (1 in 100) within as soon as ten days after one dose, and extremely uncommon (1 in 1 000) after two doses of an mRNA vaccine. Generally, any infections following vaccination are usually mild and do not require hospitalisation.

(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases)

As Covid variants have emerged, laboratory research shows that protection against Covid-19 depends on one’s antibody levels. Booster doses of the Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are a reliable and safe way to increase antibody levels and ‘T-cell responses’ to SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory tests have shown that variants of the virus are more effectively neutralised by those with high antibody levels.

(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases)

Yes. There is good evidence that a booster dose increases antibodies against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and that higher antibody levels offer more protection against variants, including Omicron.

(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases)

Side effects of booster doses are similar to the side effects of the first vaccine. Common side effects include tiredness, body aches and pains, low-grade fever, and pain at the injection site. Persons who receive a booster dose may be more inclined to experience these common side effects. Side effects clear completely within 24 to 48 hours.

(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases)

Booster doses for both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to over-18s. To be eligible for a booster, you must have received:

• the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago; or
• your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

(Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases)

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) supports the call by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for people not to use Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.

SAHPRA’s statement in this regard is available here.

(Source: SAHPRA)

Yes, severe COVID-19 can be fatal. For updates on coronavirus infections, deaths and vaccinations worldwide, see the COVID-19 global map developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

(Source: John Hopkins University School of Medicine)

No, there is no vaccine “microchip”, and there is also no evidence to support claims that such a move is being planned. Receiving a vaccine does not allow people to be tracked.

(Source: National Department of Health: Vaccine information portal)

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