Weekly COVID-19 Update- February 3, 2022
Dear Students,
There are a few questions we have been asked numerous times about vaccines, so we wanted to take this opportunity and answer them for your convenience.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility? The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant now, those who plan to get pregnant in the future, and their partners. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, COVID-19 vaccines do not impact fertility.
Can the vaccine affect my athletic performance? While there are approximately 50 cases of myocarditis for every 1 million young men vaccinated, this is far below the risk presented by COVID-19 itself. The risk for myocarditis, or heart inflammation, is 16 times higher among those infected with COVID-19, according to the CDC. Additionally, the vaccine should have no impact on anyone's ability to become a professional athlete, as 95-99 percent of NFL, NBA and NHL players are vaccinated against COVID-19.
If I have already had COVID-19, do I need the vaccine? Getting a COVID-19 vaccine gives most people a high level of protection against COVID-19, even those who have already been infected. You can get vaccinated once you have fully recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer in isolation.
Do the vaccines actually work? A new study from the CDC revealed that Pfizer and Moderna boosters are 97 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 related hospitalizations among those with strong immune systems and 88 percent effective at preventing the immunocompromised from becoming hospitalized.
Why do I need a booster? According to researchers at Harvard, MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital, three doses of an mRNA vaccine are needed to provide significant protection against the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Boosters are recommended at least five months after completing the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series or two months after Johnson & Johnson.
Does it cost money to get the vaccine? Vaccines are available for free at most area pharmacies. Visit vaccine.gov to search for vaccines near you. The JSU/RMC Health Center, located at JSU South (on the site of the former Jacksonville Hospital), also offers free COVID-19 vaccines by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call 256-782-5310 to schedule your shot.
Does getting the vaccine mean I can stop wearing a mask? When COVID-19 infection rates are high in your community, it is important to wear a mask while indoors in public, despite vaccination status. Why? Because those who are vaccinated and boosted can still contract the virus and spread it to others, without displaying symptoms
The best way to get “back to normal” is to follow the directions of health care professionals. From masking when needed to getting vaccinated and boosted, each of us has a part to play in ending the pandemic. If you have additional questions, please email covidquestions@jsu.edu.
Thank you for help to keep our campus safe!
In Service,
Michael Barton
Director of Public Safety and COVID-19 Task Force Leader