COVID-19 Vaccines
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives and our community, we look forward to learning more about the COVID-19 vaccines that will soon be available.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will be one of the best ways to protect yourself and others around you.
Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines. This information will continue to be updated as MCW receives new information from the CDC, DHS and other infectious disease experts.
Herd Immunity with Antoinette Spector, PT, DPT
Comparing Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to Pfizer and Moderna
Scientists Discuss why Coronavirus Variants are Concerning with COVID-19
What we know about the COVID-19 vaccine today
Vaccination developments
Considerations for receiving the vaccine
What to expect with the vaccine
What to expect after vaccination
How can I learn more?
Carefully review all materials provided to you when you are notified that you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine BEFORE you schedule your vaccination. You can also visit the following online resources:
What we know about COVID-19 vaccine distribution – general
Vaccine Basics
Through vaccination, people can develop immunity without suffering from the actual diseases that vaccines prevent. Learn the basics of vaccines and why they are so important to the health of our community.
Key Terms
Antibody: A protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (e.g. bacteria or viruses) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them.
Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that live in and around us with a distinct structure from other microbes. Bacteria can be helpful, but can also cause illnesses such as strep throat, ear infections, and pneumonia.
Germs: Living organisms, like bacteria, fungi, or viruses, which can cause infections or disease.
Herd Immunity: When a large percentage of the population becomes immune to a disease through vaccination and/ or recovery from infection. If enough people are immune, it limits spread and protects the entire community.
Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease. If you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming infected.
Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
Outbreak: More cases of a disease at a specific time or place than expected. If the disease is new, rare, or has serious public health implications, an outbreak may be declared with as few as one or two cases.
Vaccination: The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
Vaccine: A product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections but can also be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose.
Virus: A tiny organism that multiplies within cells and causes disease such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis and hepatitis. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, the drugs used to kill bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Media
Wisconsin economy still faces COVID-19 threat as we wait on a vaccine
November 18, 2020 | TMJ 4
Wisconsin sets daily high in COVID-19 deaths, medical experts confident in vaccine development
November 17, 2020 | WTMJ 620
Wisconsin prepares plan for COVID-19 vaccines
November 17, 2020 | Racine County Eye
Vaccines could usher in improved business, social levels by spring, says Dr. Raymond
November 17, 2020 | Milwaukee Business Journal
WTMJ News
November 13, 2020 | WTMJ-AM
Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses may be ready this year
November 13, 2020 | Fox 6 News
November 9, 2020 | CBS 58 News