Spina Bifida & Vaccine Information

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COVID-19 Information & Resources

Even though the COVID-19 public health emergency in the United States will end on May 11, COVID-19 is still a very real and life-threatening infectious disease. The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to stay up-to-date on your vaccine booster, which is safe and effective for people with Spina Bifida.
Boosters are currently available at many locations near you (click here to find one).

COVID-19 Blog Posts

  • blog

    The Top 5 Reasons Why People with Spina Bifida Chose to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

  • blog

    COVID-19 & Spina Bifida ‘Ask the Expert’ Webinar

  • blog

    The Public Health Emergency Declaration has Ended – Here’s What We Know

Frequently Asked Questions


Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with Spina Bifida?

Yes. Those with Spina Bifida who are vaccinated are significantly less likely to have severe illness or die from COVID-19, as opposed to those who are unvaccinated.

Can a person get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No. You cannot get COVID-19 from getting the vaccine.

Why are adults with Spina Bifida choosing to get vaccinated?
According to a study by the Spina Bifida Association, adults with Spina Bifida chose to get the vaccine to avoid getting COVID-19, to help stop the spread of the virus, and because they did not want to give COVID-19 to their family members/loved ones.

Why should people with Spina Bifida get vaccinated?
Once vaccinated, a person with Spina Bifida is much less likely to get the COVID-19 virus and become seriously ill from it. As more people get vaccinated, it will reduce the risk of new variants and help eradicate the virus.

How often do I need to get a COVID-19 booster?
The CDC is currently working on a new regulation for COVID-19 boosters, but if you haven’t gotten one since September 2022 then you are due to renew your booster.

If the pandemic is over, then why do I still need to get vaccinated?
New variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are expected to occur. Staying up to date with your COVID-19 boosters reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines like Influenza, HPV, Shingles, etc?
Yes. The CDC says, “In accordance with general best practices for immunizations, routine administration of all age-appropriate doses of vaccines simultaneously is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults for whom no specific contraindications exist at the time of the healthcare visit.”

Are there any risks associated with getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
The known risks of the COVID-19 illness and its related, possibly severe complications, such as long-term health problems, hospitalization, and even death, far outweigh the potential risks of having a rare adverse reaction to vaccination.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
The most commonly reported side effects are fever, headache, fatigue, and pain at the injection site.

Why should I bother to get the updated COVID-19 booster dose when there are breakthrough COVID-19 cases occurring?
COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations, including recommended boosters.

Additional Questions? Contact the National Resource Center

Our National Resource Center is always open and available for anyone in our Spina Bifida community.

Contact the National Resource Center