A vaccine is a medicine that helps the body develop immunity (protection) which helps in the prevention of infections and illnesses i.e. helps in preventing you from getting an infection or from getting severely ill if you do get infected. Vaccines have stopped millions of children from getting sick and dying from diseases like measles, polio and mumps. Many adults have had vaccines against diseases like flu and tetanus. Most vaccines are given by injection.

A vaccine works by helping the body recognise a new sickness, such as COVID-19, and then teaches the body how to fight it. When a person comes into contact with this sickness, their body is then ready to fight it and the person does not get sick.

Vaccines save lives. Vaccines have saved millions of people all over the world from getting sick and even dying from sicknesses such as measles and polio. They are a key intervention to try and prevent millions of people from getting sick and even dying from COVID-19.

Yes. It will stop most people who get the vaccine from getting sick with COVID-19. Some people might, however, still get sick from COVID-19 after they have been vaccinated but will most likely have a less severe form of the disease if they have been vaccinated.

Some vaccines are currently registered for use in persons 16 years and older while others are registered in persons 18 years and older as the vaccines were not tested on persons younger than this. The South African COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Plan currently only allows for vaccination in persons 18 years and older. You should, however, always discuss this with your treating healthcare provider who will guide you.

Most people can safely have the vaccine, but before you are given it, the healthcare worker will ask you some questions to check your health. You should not be given the vaccine unless it is safe for you.

Yes. The vaccine can be used in most cases if you have a chronic condition and persons with comorbidities will be prioritised in Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout. You will, however, be screened by your treating healthcare provider prior to receiving the vaccination to make sure that you are fit to do so.

Most people will have a sore and slightly swollen arm for a few days, but feel fine. Some people may have sore muscles, feel a little tired, have a headache, or may feel hot. These symptoms mean that the vaccination is working, but they will go away in one or two days. You should, however, always discuss any side effects with your treating healthcare provider who will guide you.

No, the vaccine will not make you sick with COVID-19. The vaccine tries to stop you from getting sick from COVID-19. You may, however, experience some side effects after receiving the vaccine.

When lots of people in a community are vaccinated, the virus has a hard time circulating because most of the people it encounters are immune. The more people that are vaccinated, the less likely people who are unable to be protected by vaccines are at risk of being exposed to the virus. This is called herd immunity. No single vaccine provides 100% protection, and herd immunity does not provide full protection to those who cannot safely be vaccinated.

Yes. The vaccines that will be used in South Africa are safe. It has already been given to millions of people around the world, young and old, rich and poor. The vaccine has been developed and tested by leading scientists around the world, including South Africa. South Africa has some of the best doctors and nurses in the world. They will not allow us to use a vaccine that is not safe. Although it was developed very quickly to save lives, it has gone through all the necessary tests that other vaccines go through. It is however imperative that you discuss any conditions, allergies, pregnancy or intention to fall pregnant with your healthcare provider so he/she may assess if the vaccine would still be safe for you to take.

We can all get COVID-19. Some of us will get it and not even know that we have it and infect others who can get very ill and even die. The more people who have the vaccine, the less chance there is that the virus can spread in our communities.

You will have some protection after the first injection. You will be most protected about seven days after the second injection.

Yes. Some people are getting COVID-19 for the second time. The vaccine will help to prevent you from getting sick again. You should, however, always discuss this with your treating healthcare provider who will guide you.

Vaccination should be delayed until you are feeling better. You should not book an appointment for vaccination whilst you are self-isolating and must wait until you have completed your isolation period and are no longer showing symptoms. Experts recommend waiting at least four weeks after your symptoms have started or your positive test result if you don’t have symptoms before being vaccinated. This guidance applies also to those who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine.

Yes, you still need to social distance, avoid crowds, sanitise/wash hands and wear a cloth mask as there is still a small chance that you will contract COVID-19 and you may therefore still infect other people.

This is a new illness, so we do not know yet how long you are protected for. Doctors hope that it will be for a long time, but are still studying the long-term effects of the vaccine and how long the protection will last, which is also dependent on how quickly the virus mutates.

No. An antibody test will give you an indication if you have been exposed to COVID-19 already. However, levels of antibodies can vary over time so may not protect you sufficiently from being re-infected and may also not protect you against new variants of the virus.