Neurodiversity and Vaccine Confidence FAQ
This page will discuss commonly asked questions about Covid-19 and vaccines. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ page.
General Covid-19 Information?
According to CDC, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019.
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According to CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
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According to CDC, adults 65 years and older and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.
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According to CDC, some people who are infected may not have symptoms. For people who have symptoms, illness can range from mild to severe.
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General COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Name: JNJ-78436735 Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceuticals Companies of Johnson & Johnson
- Type of Vaccine: Viral Vector
- Age: 18+
- Number of Shots: 1 shot
- How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
- Does NOT Contain: eggs, preservatives, latex
- Learn more about how CDC is making COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
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Name: mRNA-1273 Manufacturer: ModernaTX, Inc.
- Type of Vaccine: mRNA
- Age: 18+
- Number of Shots: 2 shots, 28 days apart
- How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
- Does NOT Contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex, metals
- Learn more about how CDC is making COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
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Name: BNT162b2 Manufacturer: Pfizer, Inc., and BioNTech
- Type of Vaccine: mRNA
- Age: 12+
- Number of Shots: 2 shots, 21 days apart
- Does NOT Contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex
- Learn more about how CDC is making COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
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The CDC recommends using the COVID-19 county check tool to guide necessary precautions to take in regards to COVID-19. Proper mask wearing alongside other preventative measures, particularly in indoor settings, can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
The FDA has currently approved 1 booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines over 2 months after completing your initial vaccine series. If you received a vaccine other than Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J, please visit the CDC website for specific guidelines.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended even if you’ve had COVID, as it adds to your overall protection.
General Vaccine Hesitancy Questions
The vaccine itself is safe for neurodivergent populations. However, anxiety and worries about getting vaccinated may trigger a stress reaction. Check out some of our blog posts to see how you can prepare to have a smooth and positive vaccination experience.
Blog Post #3 - Having a Positive Vaccination Experience
Blog Post #4 - How to Deal with Vaccine Anxiety
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There is no COVID-19 vaccine that includes microchipping, nor are there currently any plans to produce one.
No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth alloys, as well as any manufactured products such as microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes, and nanowire semiconductors. In addition, the typical dose for a COVID-19 vaccine is less than a milliliter, which is not enough to allow magnets to be attracted to your vaccination site even if the vaccine was filled with a magnetic metal.
It is one’s personal choice to get vaccinated or not. However, if your family member is just hesitant in getting the vaccine, be patient, acknowledge that their concerns are legitimate and offer your help in getting them the answers that they need to help them feel comfortable getting vaccinated.
Vaccination promotes herd immunity, which can also be referred to as community immunity. Community immunity protects everyone. But it’s especially important because some people can’t get vaccinated for certain diseases — such as people with some serious allergies and those with weakened or failing immune systems (like people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, type 1 diabetes, or other health conditions). Community immunity also protects the very small group of people who don’t have a strong immune response from vaccines.
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The CDC recommends assessing personal and community risk when deciding on appropriate preventative measures. You may use the COVID-19 County Tool to check risk for COVID-19 in your area. If you or someone you are in contact with has increased risk of COVID-19 infection, wearing a mask can offer greater protection against COVID-19.
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As of yet, there is no causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and neurodivergent conditions. Some neurological symptoms, such as fever, chills, or fatigue, have been reported following vaccine administration. However, serious symptoms are rare (Source). COVID-19 infection has additionally been shown to induce neurological symptoms at a greater rate than vaccines (Source).
The federal government is providing vaccines free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Ensuring that everyone in the United States can receive a COVID-19 vaccine helps us get closer to the goal of achieving population immunity. These are the same vaccines that are being distributed in other parts of the world.