Every Californian age 16 and older became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on April 15, 2021. Vaccinations are one of the most important tools for ending the pandemic and keeping individuals and communities safe. COVID-19 vaccines reduce viral transmission from person to person, COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalizations, and deaths. Vaccine safety, on the other hand, is a point of concern among the population. Here’s what you need to know.
COVID-19 Vaccines
There are three FDA-approved vaccines available from Pfizer/ BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.
Some say that the first vaccine offered is the best one.
Each vaccine is highly effective.
Efficacy is the chance that each vaccinated person is less likely to get sick after each exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccines initiate an immune response without having to experience the illness or long-term effects caused by the virus. Although vaccines are not 100% perfect, they help reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and significantly reduce the chance of serious illness and death.
Some people may experience side effects after receiving a vaccine.
Common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling in the arm, and tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea throughout the rest of the body. This is a normal sign that the vaccine is working as expected. Additionally, full protection takes place 2 weeks after their last dose. Once fully vaccinated, people may be able to begin doing previously enjoyed activities, such as gathering indoors without masks with other fully vaccinated people.
COVID-19 vaccines do not cause the disease.
Subsequently, no FDA-approved vaccines use a live or weak version of the COVID-19 virus. Innovative and proven technology helps the body recognize key parts of the virus and build a strong immune response.
The FDA has authorized several COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine safety has been observed in both clinical trials and among the millions of people globally who have already received a COVID-19 vaccine.
It is recommended that you get the vaccine regardless of whether or not you had COVID-19.
People develop antibodies through the disease. However, there is evidence showing immunity through vaccination may last longer. Vaccinations may also provide better protection from more strains and mutations of the virus.
High vaccine rates in a population reduce the chance for the virus to mutate.
Mutations occur when there are plenty of opportunities for the virus to spread, replicate, and change forms. Many viral mutations go unnoticed. However, some mutations may cause the virus to spread more quickly, cause more harm, or impact different groups of people.
High vaccination rates increase herd immunity.
Herd immunity is a form of community protection. If enough people in the community have antibodies to the virus, it will slow the spread of the virus, reduce strain on the healthcare system, and saves lives. By getting the vaccine, you can help protect the unvaccinated.
Furthermore, Vaccines are one part of the comprehensive public health response to COVID-19. Social distancing, hand-washing, avoiding crowds, ventilation, mask-wearing, testing, tracing, and isolation remain critical to ending the pandemic. As more vaccinations take place, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will continue providing more guidelines on how we can move towards re-opening the economy and gathering more safely.
