COVID Vaccinations Have Begun — Here's What to Know

Patient receiving a vaccination.Photo: Getty On Dec. 14, thefirst Americans were vaccinated with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, a landmark moment as the countrystruggles to contain the ongoing pandemic. But when can every American get the vaccine, and how will vaccinations work? Those are some of the many questions still lingering as the lengthy vaccination process begins. Here’s what is currently known about how to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Who Will Get Vaccinated First?

COVID Vaccine Side Effect of Swollen Lymph Nodes Can Be Mistaken for Cancer

A person receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.Photo: FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Although swollen lymph nodes can be asign of cancer, doctors are cautioning people who have recentlyreceived the COVID-19 vaccinenot to jump to any conclusions, as it’s also a common response to vaccination. Last month, radiologists at Massachusetts General Hospital noted that although “swelling of lymph nodes in the armpit is anormal responseto COVID-19 vaccinations” on mammograms “they can be mistaken for nodes that are swollen because of cancer.

COVID Vaccines Among Pregnant Women Are Not Linked to Pre-Term Births, According to New Study

Pregnant woman getting vaccinated.Photo: getty Pregnant womenwho have received the COVID-19 vaccine are not at a greater risk of giving birth prematurely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a new study, published Tuesday, the CDC analyzed 46,079 pregnant women who had live births, with 10,064 of those women receiving at least one dose of the COVID vaccine during their pregnancy. Results showed that only 6.6 percent of the babies were born prematurely — before 37 weeks — and 8.

COVID Vaccines Could Be Available for Kids Aged 5 to 11 by Second Week of November, Says Fauci

COVID vaccines may be available for children ages 5 to 11 “within the first week or two of November,” according to Dr. Anthony Fauci. The nation’s leading infectious disease expert, 80, said on Sunday’s episode ofThis Week With George Stephanopoulosthat “it’s entirely possible, if not very likely” that vaccines will be made accessible for the age group within the next two or three weeks. Pfizer has reported that its COVID-19 vaccine prevents any symptoms of the virus90.

COVID Vaccines Create No 'Meaningful Change' in Menstrual Cycles but Do Cause a Brief Shift

A person receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.Photo: FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty The COVID-19 vaccine can cause slight shifts in menstrual cycles, though nothing long-lasting or worrisome that shouldstop people from getting vaccinated, a large study has confirmed. After anecdotal reports popped up on social media from people reporting changes to their menstrual cycles, the National Institutes of Health funded research into possible links between the two, with the first study published Thursdayin the journalObstetrics and Gynecology.