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1. Is this a hoax?

COVID-19 is not a hoax and neither is the vaccine. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 153 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, and more than 3.2 million people have died from their infection.  Even people who survive their infection risk long-term consequences from COVID like fatigue, irregular heart rate, and tinnitus (ringing in ears).  COVID is no joke, and the best way to prevent COVID is to get vaccinated.  

2. Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No, it is impossible to get COVID-19 from any of the authorized vaccines.  

None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. The goal for each vaccine is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

3. If I've already had COVID-19 should I get vaccinated?

Yes, the data now show that vaccination is better at preventing reinfection with COVID-19 than a previous infection, so getting vaccinated adds an important layer of protection against future disease. 

If a person is currently in quarantine due to potential exposure to COVID-19, it is advised to wait 14 days after exposure to get vaccinated to ensure that they do not have COVID-19 and risk infecting others at the vaccination site. In addition, if you have been treated for a COVID-19 infection with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, the CDC advises waiting 90 days after your treatment to make sure your immune system can mount an effective response to the vaccine. 

4. Will the COVID-19 vaccine make me test positive?

No. Neither the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States will cause you to test positive on viral tests, like PCR or antigen tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests which indicates that you have some level of protection against the virus.