The State of New Hampshire has developed a
three-phase rollout for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Here are the latest updates:
NH is currently still in Phase 1b of the vaccine's planned roll-out. That means, those currently eligible to receive the vaccine meet the criteria below:
1) Those 65 years and older
2) Those under 65 and have 2 or more underlying medical conditions listed below (adapted from CDC)
- Cancer
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and other high-risk pulmonary disease
- Down Syndrome
- Heart Conditions, such as heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Immunocompromised states
- Obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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Top Myths About The COVID-19 Vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that vaccines prevented over 10 million deaths between 2010 and 2015, and many millions more were protected from illness. Almost one year after the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were approved for emergency use by the Food and
Drug Administration, with more coming.
Vaccines are one the most effective tools we have in the fight against COVID-19. While supplies are limited and currently available for those groups identified by the State’s Vaccination Plan as 1A, which includes frontline healthcare workers who are caring for COVID-19 patients. Once vaccines are available in widespread quantities, which could be by Spring 2021, a large percentage of the public can be vaccinated. That’s a critical piece of the puzzle to ensure COVID-19 will no longer be a pandemic that threatens the lives of those in our community and around the world. For more information on New Hampshire’s vaccine distribution plan, please visit NH Department of Health & Human Services Vaccine webpage.
Myth: The vaccines aren’t safe because they were developed quickly.
This is FALSE.
All the COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone through rigorous studies to ensure they are as safe as possible. Systems that allow CDC to watch for safety issues are in place across the entire country. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to meet rigorous safety criteria and be effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials.
Myth: The vaccines can lead to long-term effects.
This is FALSE.
Serious problems from vaccination can happen, but they are rare. CDC has learned of reports that some people have experienced severe allergic reactions—also known as anaphylaxis—after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. As an example, an allergic reaction is considered severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or EpiPen© or if they must go to the hospital. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and allergies
.
Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines.
This is FALSE.
None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. There are several different types of vaccines in development. All of them 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 protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.
It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.
Myth: I’ve already had COVID-19, so I don’t need to get vaccinated.
This is FALSE.
Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first.
At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long. We won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until we have more data on how well the vaccines work. Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
Myth: People with underlying conditions or suppressed immune systems shouldn’t get vaccinated.
This is FALSE.
People with underlying medical conditions can receive the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines provided they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Learn more about vaccination considerations for persons with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Myth: The COVID-19 vaccines will alter your DNA.
This is FALSE.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Messenger RNA vaccines—also called mRNA vaccines—are the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease. Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. That immune response and making antibodies is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
Myth: If I’m pregnant or breastfeeding, I definitely shouldn’t get vaccinated.
This is FALSE.
People who are pregnant and part of a group recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may choose to be vaccinated. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talking with a healthcare provider may might help you make an informed decision. While breastfeeding is an important consideration, it is rarely a safety concern with vaccines. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Myth: It isn’t safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day.
This is FALSE.
People who want to get pregnant in the future may receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Based on current knowledge, experts believe that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to a person trying to become pregnant in the short or long term. Scientists study every vaccine carefully for side effects immediately and for years afterward.
The COVID-19 vaccines are being studied carefully now and will continue to be studied for many years, similar to other vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccines, works by training our bodies to develop antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19, to prevent future illness. There is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence suggesting that fertility problems are a side effect of ANY vaccine. People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future may receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them.
Myth: If everyone around me is immune, then I don't need to be vaccinated.
This is FALSE.
Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update this page as we learn more. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic.
To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoid crowds
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
- Wash your hands often
Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.
Myth: The flu vaccine protects you against COVID-19.
There is no evidence to support the claim that the flu vaccine protects against coronavirus.
However, it's still important to get both of these vaccines. In fact, getting your flu vaccine is even more important in 2020 / 2021. If you fail to get your flu vaccine, you could potentially be infected with coronavirus and the flu at the same time, putting strain on both your health and our health care system.
Myth: Vaccines can cause autism.
Vaccines don't cause autism.
This claim stems from a discredited and retracted study that linked the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism. Unfortunately, this flawed study has kicked off a resilient storm of misinformation. Hundreds of studies across the globe have shown time and time again that there is no connection, but a 2016 national study revealed 16.5% of parents or primary caregivers of autistic children believed vaccines caused their child's autism.
