Can the COVID-19 Vaccine Give You COVID?
No, the COVID-19 vaccines cannot give you covid as they do not contain the live virus.
Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines contain instructions which are used to make a protein. The immune system learns to recognise this protein and build protection against it after which it is naturally broken down.
Vaccines generally work by allowing the body to learn what the virus/bacteria looks like. Once it can recognise it, it can then build up its defence and the COVID-19 vaccines are no different. As it does not contain the full, live virus, it cannot cause COVID.
Why Did I Test Positive for COVID After Getting Vaccinated?
The COVID-19 virus can change over time. If you were vaccinated against one type of virus but encountered a different type, you can still get or spread COVID, leading to a positive test.
Additionally, it can take a few weeks for the immune system to build up its full protection. If in this time, you encounter the full virus, you can still get infected which again, can show as a positive test.
This is why boosters are recommended to protect against different types of the virus and to restore immunity to previous virus types
Do COVID Vaccines Make You More Likely to Catch COVID?
No, you are not more likely to catch COVID once you are vaccinated. This is a common misconception claiming that vaccines suppress the immune system. In fact the opposite is true in that vaccines activate the immune system to build up protection. The effects of the vaccine however, may decrease over time. This is the reason why booster vaccines are important, to keep immunity high. Evidence supports that people who are vaccinated are less likely to get seriously ill compared to those who are not vaccinated.
Is It Normal to Feel Unwell After the COVID Vaccine?
It is common to feel some mild side effects after the vaccine. Feeling tired, a sore arm, headache and mild flu-like symptoms are all normal after a vaccination. These get better on their own after a week - it's best to stay hydrated, well rested and use painkillers if needed. These are not a reason to avoid vaccination as the benefits of protection outweigh the temporary discomfort.
More serious side effects are very rare, and need immediate medical attention but the vaccine cannot give you a COVID-19 infection.