Back to School!
Over the next 4 weeks, more than 50 million students will head back to school, and more than 20 million students will return to undergraduate and graduate studies.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to be back in-person and doing the things students love – playing with their friends, participating in sports, bonding with their teachers, and more. However, as of the end of July, only 42% of Americans age 12-17 years and 53% of Americans age 18-24 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Have a safe school year! Getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 takes 5-6 weeks, depending on the vaccine. Students ages 12 and older are currently eligible. Find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov.
#WeCanDoThis
Vaccines and Students
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
- Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Get sick from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. People who are fully vaccinated can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. Learn more about what you and your child or teen can do when you have been fully vaccinated. Children 12 years and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Search for a vaccine location using the widget to the right.
Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
Immunity after COVID-19 vaccination
- There is still a lot we are learning about COVID-19 vaccines and CDC is constantly reviewing evidence and updating guidance. We don’t know how long protection lasts for those who are vaccinated.
- What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people.
- If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.
- At this time, there are limited data on vaccine effectiveness in people who are immunocompromised, including those taking immunosuppressive medications. Learn more about the considerations for fully vaccinated people who are immunocompromised.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines can make you sick with COVID-19
None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. Learn more Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
How Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines Work (08/2021)
Coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19, are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface, called spike proteins. These spike proteins are ideal targets for vaccines.
What is a viral vector vaccine? A viral vector vaccine uses a harmless version of a different virus, called a “vector,” to deliver information to the body that helps it protect you. The vaccine DOES NOT contain the virus that causes COVID-19 and cannot give you COVID-19. It also cannot make you sick from the virus that is used as the vector. It cannot change your DNA in any way.
How does the vaccine work? The vaccine teaches your body how to make copies of the spike proteins. If you are exposed to the real virus later, your body will recognize it and know how to fight it off. When your body responds to the vaccine, it can sometimes cause tiredness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, or mild fever. These are normal signs the vaccine is working.
Getting vaccinated? For info about COVID-19 vaccine, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/vaccines.
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you. Use vaccines.com or use the search widget on the right.
COVID-19 Symptom Checker
Symptoms of COVID19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. They may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Check Symptoms Here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/coronavirus-self-checker.html
