Logan Reed
The COVID-19 vaccine is designed to train your body to recognize and combat the virus, reducing the risk of infection and severe illness. While it doesn't guarantee you won't catch COVID-19, it significantly lowers the chances and protects against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The vaccines have been updated to target new variants, and annual shots are recommended, especially for those at high risk. However, there is confusion and concern due to changing federal guidelines and eligibility criteria, with some states having their own requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can the coronavirus vaccine stop you from catching it? | It is not yet known for sure if the vaccine will stop people from catching Covid-19. However, mounting evidence suggests that the vaccine does reduce transmission risk. |
| Can you catch Covid-19 before or after getting the vaccine? | Yes, it is possible to catch Covid-19 before or after getting the vaccine. It takes around two weeks for immunity to build up after receiving the vaccine. |
| Can vaccinated people spread Covid-19? | Vaccinated people can still spread Covid-19 to others. However, evidence suggests that the vaccine reduces the chance of onward transmission by 40-60%. |
| How to prevent catching Covid-19 after vaccination? | It is recommended to continue following preventive measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, and disinfection even after vaccination. |
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What You'll Learn
Effectiveness against new variants
While COVID-19 vaccines are designed to prevent severe disease, hospitalisation, and death, they do not offer absolute protection against infection. As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to mutate, the effectiveness of vaccines against new variants becomes a critical concern.
The original COVID-19 vaccines were developed to target the initial strain of the virus, but as new variants emerged, such as the Delta and Omicron variants and their subvariants, the vaccines became less effective at preventing transmission. This is because these new variants differ significantly from the original strain, rendering the initial vaccines less effective.
Vaccine manufacturers have been working to address this challenge by creating updated vaccines that train the immune system to recognise and combat these new variants. These updated vaccines are not boosters but modified versions designed to target the most prevalent variants. This approach is similar to the annual updates made to the flu vaccine to match circulating flu strains.
The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines, for instance, are designed to offer improved protection against the Omicron variant and its subvariants. According to the CDC, these updated vaccines are expected to be effective against new predominant strains and other variants anticipated to become more common. This includes the Novavax vaccine, which has demonstrated broad cross-neutralising antibodies against multiple variant strains, including JN.1, KP.2, and KP.3.
While the 2024–2025 vaccines are a step forward, it is important to recognise that vaccine protection wanes over time. This means that even those who have received the updated vaccine may need additional boosters in the future to maintain their protection against new and evolving variants of COVID-19.
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Protection from severe illness
COVID-19 vaccines are designed to train your immune system to fight off COVID-19 infection. They give your body a set of instructions to make a harmless piece of the virus, allowing your body to recognise and quickly fight the virus if exposed. While the vaccines do not guarantee that you won't get sick, they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death.
The effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19 has been impacted by the evolving nature of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has mutated over time, leading to new variants such as Delta and Omicron and their subvariants. These variants differ from the original strain, reducing the effectiveness of the initial vaccines. However, vaccine manufacturers have been updating their formulas to target these new variants and provide continued protection.
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines, for instance, are designed to more closely target the Omicron variant, specifically the JN.1 lineage. These updated vaccines are often referred to as "boosters," although they are not additional doses of the same vaccine but rather new vaccines targeting the most common variants. Similar to the annual updates to the flu shot, COVID-19 vaccines are adapted to protect against the strains most likely to circulate in the coming months.
The CDC recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older, especially those aged 65 and older, those at high risk for severe COVID-19, and individuals who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. It is important to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccines as protection decreases over time, and the virus continues to evolve.
While the COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness, it is still possible to get infected and spread the virus, even with the updated vaccines. However, the vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation, which is crucial in managing the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems.
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Reducing transmission
COVID-19 vaccines are preventive treatments that train the body to recognise and fight the virus. They do not completely stop you from catching COVID-19, but they do provide substantial protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. The vaccines are updated regularly to offer the best protection against circulating strains.
The effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing transmission has decreased as new variants have emerged. The Delta and Omicron variants, for example, have reduced the vaccines' ability to prevent transmission. However, the vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, which is their primary purpose.
To address the evolving nature of the virus, vaccine manufacturers update their formulas to target the most common variants. These updated vaccines, often referred to as "boosters," are similar to the annual adjustments made to the flu shot. They are designed to protect against new versions of the virus and provide continued protection.
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines, for instance, are tailored to combat the Omicron variant and its subvariants, which were not effectively covered by the initial vaccines. These updated vaccines are recommended for most adults aged 18 and older, especially those at high risk for severe COVID-19 or those who have never been vaccinated.
It is important to note that vaccine protection wanes over time, so staying up to date with the recommended vaccines is crucial. Additionally, certain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, may reduce your immune response to the vaccine. Consulting a healthcare provider before vaccination is advisable if you have concerns about potential medication interactions.
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Vaccine eligibility
The COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria have been a source of confusion and frustration for many people, with some travelling from pharmacy to pharmacy, doctor to doctor, [and] even [...] state to state in an attempt to get vaccinated. The eligibility criteria have been restricted by federal policies, which have narrowed the groups for whom the vaccine is recommended.
In May 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an article stating that they could limit eligibility to adults 65 and older and individuals with at least one underlying health condition that increases their risk of severe illness from a coronavirus infection. Such conditions include asthma, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and physical inactivity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all children aged 6 months to 23 months receive a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have known allergies to the vaccine or its ingredients. They also recommend a single dose for children aged 2 to 18 years if they are at high risk of COVID-19, residents of long-term care facilities, have never been vaccinated, or live with high-risk individuals.
Despite these recommendations, the ultimate decision on eligibility criteria is made by each state, and some pharmacists are forbidden from administering the vaccine to those who do not meet the criteria set by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
In addition, some people are concerned about the safety and side effects of the vaccine, as well as the cost, as insurance coverage may be dependent on federal recommendations.
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Administering the vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. It is especially important for people over 65 years old, those at high risk of severe illness, and those who have never received a vaccine. The vaccine trains your immune system to recognise and fight a COVID-19 infection. This means that if you are exposed to COVID, you might not get sick, or your illness will be less severe than it would have been without the vaccine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO) authorised the first COVID vaccines for emergency use in 2020. These vaccines were effective against the original strain of COVID. However, as the virus has mutated, the vaccines have become less effective against new variants. Manufacturers have since created updated vaccines that train the immune system to recognise new variants and continue to provide protection.
In the U.S., the recommendations for vaccination change frequently and depend on age, previous vaccinations, and the vaccine manufacturer. The CDC recommends that adults and children 5 years and older with healthy immune systems receive one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Children under 5 years old may require multiple doses, with at least one dose being an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
To receive a COVID-19 vaccine, individuals can visit a healthcare provider or a retail pharmacy, such as Walgreens or CVS. However, it is important to note that not all pharmacies are able to offer vaccines in certain states, and some individuals may need a prescription to receive the vaccine. The process for obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine may vary depending on the state and federal guidelines.
It is recommended to avoid taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen before the vaccine as they may reduce the immune response. It is safe to take these medications to treat any side effects after vaccination. Individuals who regularly take these medications for other conditions should consult a healthcare provider before getting vaccinated. After receiving the vaccine, it is advised to wait for 15 minutes before leaving the vaccination site.
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Frequently asked questions
The COVID-19 vaccine trains your body to recognize and fight a COVID-19 infection. This means that if you are exposed to COVID, you may not get sick or your illness will be less severe.
The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
COVID vaccines train your immune system to fight off a COVID-19 infection by giving your body a set of instructions to make a harmless piece of the virus.
While the COVID-19 vaccine does not completely prevent transmission, it remains highly effective at keeping people out of the hospital and reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from respiratory viruses.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available at retail pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS, as well as from healthcare providers and doctors. Depending on your state and age, you may need a prescription to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy.
