Do the COVID vaccines use a live virus?

Health care workers answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Florence Awosika, DNP, CRNP explains that the COVID vaccines do not use a live virus and won’t give you COVID.

So, the vaccine, it’s not a live virus. This is not something that’s going to give you COVID, this is something that’s going to hopefully help your immune system to get ready, to be able to fight. Oh, we’ve seen you before let’s fight.

And hopefully in that scenario, your immunity would have built up so much so that you will be able to fight off what just came in and then you may never even have the symptom. Or if you do have the symptom, hopefully recover quicker without having to end up at a hospital on an ICU bed.

This information is shared for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at time of filming. Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions. Click here for vaccine FAQs from the CDC.

Why I Joined THE CONVERSATION - health care workers

Meet the Health Care Workers

Meet the Health Care Workers

“My hope is that once we’ve gotten people vaccinated, we will get back to a place where we feel normal again, where we can live again.”

Black doctors, nurses and researchers share why they joined THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us.

WATCH NOW
THE CONVERSATION - W. Kamau Bell and Black Health Care Workers - Promo Video

HELLO BLACK AMERICA!

HELLO BLACK AMERICA!

W. Kamau Bell in an open, honest and credible conversation with Black health care workers asking the questions you want to know about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch Now

The Conversation Community Toolkit 24

About The Conversation – for video pages

THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us

Black doctors, nurses and researchers dispel misinformation and provide accessible facts about the COVID-19 vaccines in this new campaign from KFF’s Greater Than COVID and the Black Coalition Against COVID. W. Kamau Bell joins Black health care workers in an open, honest conversation that gets to the heart of Black people’s questions. A library of 50 FAQ videos cover an array of vaccine-related topics. More content will be added as new information becomes available.

Stay up to date with your COVID vaccine, including boosters!

COVID vaccines are safe and effective for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Immunity wanes over time. Keep up your protection against COVID by getting boosted when eligible.

Updated (bivalent) boosters are now available for adults and children 6 months and older. 

FIND FREE COVID VACCINES & BOOSTERS

OB/GYNs, NURSES AND MIDWIVES ON THE COVID-19 VACCINES 7

THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us.

Doctors, nurses, researchers and community health care workers provide facts and dispel misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines in this FAQ video series from KFF with the Black Coalition Against COVID and UnidosUS.

A series for parents and caregivers created in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics provides the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine for kids.

GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED!