Why should I get a COVID vaccine?
Vaccines reduce and eliminate infectious diseases that otherwise can harm people of any age. While the vaccinated are protected from disease, the viruses and bacteria that cause disease live on, putting at risk those who choose to not, or cannot, get vaccinated. Prior to COVID-19, vaccines prevented thousands from becoming seriously ill or hospitalized because of other diseases. Vaccines also helped to prevent death from these diseases.
To date, over 164 million COVID-19 cases and some 3.4 million COVID-19 deaths have been reported worldwide, including over 33 million cases and over 560,000 deaths in the US alone. These sobering COVID statistics help to shed light on why every effort has been put into developing a vaccine to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
Several studies have confirmed that 1 in 3 persons who contract COVID do not fully recover, experiencing a condition known as Long COVID or Post COVID-19 Syndrome. Long COVID symptoms often last many months, or longer, causing discomfort, suffering and disability. The best way to avoid Long COVID, is to not get COVID. The best way to avoid COVID, is to get a vaccine.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted some of the most vulnerable communities in our society, including racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, those with certain medical conditions, and lower-income individuals. According to the CDC, Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, and Native American individuals are 2-3 times more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID than white individuals.
After months of scientists and healthcare professionals working towards medical solutions to combat the coronavirus, the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the United States in December 2020. In the United States, all of the COVID-19 vaccines that are available to persons 12 and older, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna, have been found to protect the individual and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fully vaccinated people are able to return to some sense of normalcy and are helping local, state, national and global communities end the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly urge everyone to consider getting vaccinated. By doing so, you will both protect yourself and support the most vulnerable members of our society.
Getting the COVID vaccine can give you some peace of mind, and enable you to see friends and family. By getting vaccinated you not only decrease your chance of contracting COVID, you help stop the spread of disease and take an active part in the global effort to end the COVID pandemic that has brought humanity to a standstill for over 15 months.
What do I need to know about the COVID vaccines?
All vaccines train the immune system to respond and attack the virus if it enters the body. Generally once exposed to a vaccine, the immune system becomes prepared to quickly combat the real coronavirus, should the body ever be exposed. If you are in the small percentage vaccinated people who do develop COVID-19, experts think that getting a vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill. No vaccine utilizes live Sars-CoV-2 virus, and therefore the vaccine cannot cause COVID-19 infection. Although COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting sick, we do not know how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus to others if you are exposed, even if you do not get sick. Therefore, it is essential to be careful and take precautions such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available.
Three vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorizations from the FDA and are being distributed to high-priority groups across the United States. The vaccines are made by Pfizer, Moderna & Johnson & Johnson. Additional vaccines by AstraZeneca, Novavax and others are still in trials but are expected soon. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require 2 doses, and it is essential that you receive your second shot for the vaccine to be most effective. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose.
NEWS: Joint CDC & FDA Statement: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine (Apr. 13, 2021)
How well will the vaccine protect me from COVID-19?
Moderna and Pfizer have announced efficacy rates of 94-95%. The efficacy rate looks at how well the vaccine performed in clinical trials compared to a placebo in preventing new cases of the disease. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one dose and was found to be 66-85% effective. Vaccine effectiveness measures how well a vaccine works when given to people in a community. These rates are expected to be high as well, and as the vaccine is distributed, its effectiveness is being monitored.
UC San Francisco offers a comparison of the science among the different vaccines HERE.
How long does it take for the vaccine to go into effect?
It typically takes 10-14 days after the second dose of the vaccine for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19.
How many doses of vaccine are required?
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, 3 and 4 weeks apart, respectively. The first dose gives you about 50% immunity while the second dose acts as a booster to increase your immunity to around 95%. You will not develop sufficient immunity to COVID-19 without both doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one dose and was found to be 66-85% effective. Read more about why you need both doses.
Should I get other Vaccines, like a Flu or Shingles shot?
Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you from getting the flu. However, you should wait at least 14 days before getting a different vaccine.
Which age groups can get the vaccine?
The Pfizer vaccine is available to people age 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to people age 18 and older. Several companies have begun enrolling children as young as age 12 in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. Studies including younger children will begin soon.
Will I have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine?
The US government has already purchased the vaccine and is available to you at no cost. Depending on the location, provider fees may be applied. However, this fee will likely be eligible for reimbursement through either public/private insurance or the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
Should COVID-19 survivors get the vaccine?
The CDC recommends that those previously sick with COVID-19 should get the vaccine. This is because it is unknown if, and for how long, COVID-19 survivors may be immune to reinfection. Some studies show that COVID antibodies tend to disappear a few months post-infection. Because of this, COVID-19 survivors should not expect their previous encounter with the virus to protect them indefinitely.
Have there been any studies on the effect of the vaccine on people with long term COVID?
No. Survivor Corps is actively advocating for these studies.
If I have specific questions about the COVID vaccines and my personal health history, where can I look for answers?
The CDC provides this detailed information.
What are the known side effects of the vaccines?
The most commonly reported side-effects from the vaccines are pain, swelling and redness on the arm where you got the shot and fever, tiredness, chills and headache throughout the rest of the body. These flu-like symptoms can last a few days and reactions may occur after both doses of the vaccine. According to the CDC, this is normal and an indication that the body is working to build immunity.
How long will each vaccine be effective against COVID-19 ?
At this time, we do not know.
Will I be able to choose which vaccine I receive?
It is very unlikely that vaccine recipients will be able to choose their preferred vaccine, at least in the initial stages of vaccination. Rather, vaccine recipients will simply get whichever type of vaccine is available at the vaccine location.
Do I still need to take precautions if I get vaccinated?
Yes. While vaccines help to stop the spread of disease, they primarily protect the person who gets the vaccine. Vaccinated people can unknowingly carry and spread disease. As Americans get vaccinated over the next few months, it is important to continue to follow public health safety measures. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
What don’t we know about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Scientists have yet to determine how long a vaccine will provide immunity against COVID-19, the ability of the COVID vaccine to prevent asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, and whether or not vaccinated individuals are capable of transmitting the virus to others. As new variants of the virus emerge, more research will be needed to understand the level of immunity provided by vaccines.
Where can I read more about the vaccines?
The following websites have updated information about the COVID-19 vaccines:
