COVID-19

Types of COVID-19 Vaccines

Currently, there are three main types of COVID-19 vaccines that are approved or authorized for use in the United States:

• mRNA
• Protein subunit
• Viral vector

Each type of vaccine prompts our bodies to recognize and help protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19.

There are four approved or authorized vaccines in the United States:

• Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.
• Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.
• Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be given in some situations.

None of these vaccines can give you COVID-19.

• Vaccines do not use any live virus.
• Vaccines cannot cause infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 or other viruses.

They do not affect or interact with our DNA.

• These vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cell where our DNA (genetic material) is located, so it cannot change or influence our genes.

• No preservatives such as thimerosal or mercury or any other preservatives.
• No antibiotics such as sulfonamide or any other antibiotics.
• No medicines or therapeutics such as ivermectin or any other medications.
• No tissues such as aborted fetal cells, gelatin, or any materials from any animal.
• No food proteins such as eggs or egg products, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, nut products, or any nut byproducts. (COVID-19 vaccines are not manufactured in facilities that produce food products).
• No metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, or rare earth alloys. They also do not have any manufactured products like microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures, or nanowire semiconductors.
• No latex. The vial stoppers used to hold the vaccine also do not contain latex.