It can be difficult to decide whether you want a vaccination against coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you have already had the vaccination, you need to decide if you want a booster shot.
You can also ask your GP for advice.

There is a lot of different information on websites and social media.
Some information is true, some false.

This leaflet contains reliable information.
This information comes from research by doctors and scientists.
The information covers:

• How does the vaccine work?
• What are the side effects and risks?
• Why is a booster shot necessary?
• Common questions that people have about the coronavirus vaccine with answers.

Risks

Serious side effects seldom occur. In rare cases, it can cause an allergic reaction or inflammation of the heart.
These side effects seldom occur, but call your GP if you have serious symptoms in the weeks after the vaccination.

Answers to common questions about the coronavirus vaccine

Why is a booster shot necessary?

Your body made antibodies against the coronavirus (COVID-19) after the first corona vaccination.

But the number of antibodies and the protection decrease over time.
The booster shot means your body will make extra antibodies again.

This will prevent you from getting (seriously) ill.

How safe is the booster shot?

The CBG carefully inspects the booster shots.
The CBG is the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board.
The CBG considers booster shots to be as safe as previous vaccinations.
And the CBG continues to inspect the booster shots even now that they are being used.

Because the booster shots are similar to the earlier vaccinations, the side effects are also similar.

You may suffer from:

• a sore arm at the injection site
• a headache
• muscle pain
• being tired
• a fever

The chance of the booster shot causing serious side effects is minimal.

I’ve already had corona. Do I still need a vaccination?

Even if you have already had corona, it is a good idea to get the vaccine.
Your body has a lot of antibodies against the virus after having corona.
But the number of antibodies and the protection decrease over time.
So you can get the coronavirus multiple times.
A vaccination means your body makes extra antibodies again, so you are again well protected against the virus.

That is why it is a good idea to get the vaccination even if you have had corona.

Is it better for your immune system if you do get corona?

It is. But it is still important to get the vaccination even after having the coronavirus.
Research shows that people who have had corona and got a vaccination are better protected than people who only had corona or only got a vaccination.

I haven’t had corona all this time. Why should I get a booster shot?

It could be a coincidence that you did not get corona.
Did you get the vaccination earlier? Perhaps you didn’t get corona because of that.
But the protection of a vaccination decreases with time.
You can then still get very sick from corona.

That’s why it’s still important to get a booster shot.

I am young and healthy. Why do I need a vaccination?

It is important that young, healthy people also get vaccinated. There are a few reasons for this:

1. If you are young and healthy, the risk of getting very sick from corona is low, but it is possible.

2. Young people can also get Long COVID from corona.
With Long COVID, symptoms remain for a long time after a person has had corona.
Even if you were not very sick during the corona infection, you can still get Long COVID.

3. By vaccinating, you also protect others.
If many people are vaccinated, the spread of the virus is reduced.
If you get vaccinated, you reduce the risks for those around you.
For example, your parents, grandparents or people with a weaker immune system.

Why can people get corona even though they are vaccinated? Does the vaccine work?

Yes, the vaccine works well against getting seriously ill from corona.
After the vaccination, you can still get infected with the coronavirus.
But the vaccine prevents you from getting (seriously) ill.
The chances of having to go to the hospital will be much lower with a vaccination.

By vaccinating, you also protect others.
Because if you get less sick from the virus, you are less contagious.
The vaccine protects the health of you and those around you.

Does the new vaccine protect against all types of the virus?

Yes, the new vaccine protects against all types of the virus.
The vaccines have been modified for the booster shot.
Now they also protect against the new variants.
The CBG expects the new vaccines to continue to protect even if the virus changes again.

Is there a chance that the vaccination will prevent me from having children?

No, the vaccine does not affect your chances of having children in the future.
The vaccine does not make you less fertile.
This is true for both men and women.
This has been proven by multiple studies.

The vaccine is safe if you are currently trying to conceive.
Pregnant women have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from corona.
So, it is especially important to get the vaccine if you want to become pregnant or are pregnant.

Will I experience problems with menstruation after the vaccination?

We are currently researching this in the Netherlands.
Some women experienced a difference, for example, their periods were later than normal.

It is not fully understood how this can happen after vaccination.
A vaccine puts your immune system to work.
This can temporarily affect your hormones.
So it is expected to be a temporary effect.

Will I get a chip injected with the vaccine?

No, that is not possible. A chip is too big for the needle.
And there are strict controls on vaccines.
There is a control on how the vaccine works and what is in the vaccine.
A chip will not pass the inspection.
Also, doctors would not cooperate with this.

So no, there is no chip in the vaccine.

Will the vaccine change my DNA?

No, the mRNA vaccines cannot reach your DNA.
They don’t change your genes in any way.
The body breaks down the vaccine on its own.
It stays in your body for a few days at most after the vaccination.

Are there any side effects that won’t be known for a few years?

There is a very small chance that the corona vaccine will have side effects that become known later, such as autism.
Side effects of vaccinations always happen in the first 6 weeks after vaccination.
That is why all corona vaccines are tested for at least 8 weeks.

Billions of people have already received the vaccine and no late side effects have been seen.
But the vaccines are still young.
So we cannot yet be 100% sure that there are no late side effects.

Is your question not mentioned here?

Please let us know.
Or check twijfeltelefoon.nl/veelgestelde-vragen/.
Or call 088 – 7 555 777.