Benefits of COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19

Covid-19 is a highly infectious and, in some cases, highly dangerous disease. Some populations, including the elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions (i.e., comorbidities) are at greater risk for severe symptoms and even death. Natural immunity combined with vaccine-induced immunity appears to be the most effective means of safeguarding against COVID-19.

Advantages of Vaccination

Here’s how a COVID-19 vaccination benefits you:

Protection against COVID-19: The best means of staying healthy is to avoid infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If, however, you do become infected, vaccination appears to limit the risk of developing severe or even fatal symptoms. This is because the currently available vaccine primes your immunological system for producing antibodies without causing you to get sick. If you do become infected, your body is prepared to fight the disease. Vaccination typically results in fewer or milder symptoms when you’re ill (or no symptoms at all).
Protection for your family and friends: By getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you also lessen the chance of spreading the COVID-19 pathogen to family members, friends, or other people with whom you have contact.
High rates of effectiveness. All FDA-approved medications are clinically tested before release to the public. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be 94-95 percent effective within two weeks of full inoculation. In other words, the vaccines will safeguard 19 out of every 20 persons inoculated from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
The vaccine reduces your risk of infection. Once you receive your first shot, your body begins producing antibodies to the coronavirus. These antibodies help your immune system fight the virus if you happen to be exposed, so it reduces your chance of getting the disease. There are three vaccines authorized for use in the United States, and they are all more than 70% effective in preventing infection. Learn more about effectiveness. It’s true that you can still become infected after being vaccinated, but once more of the population is vaccinated, those chances are further reduced thanks to something called herd immunity. So, getting vaccinated not only reduces your chance of being infected, it also contributes to community protection, reducing the likelihood of virus transmission.
The vaccine can help your unborn baby or newborn.
A new study found that expectant mothers who receive the COVID-19 vaccine create antibodies to the virus and pass those to their unborn baby through the placenta. Mothers were also shown to pass antibodies to their newborns through breast milk. This suggests those newborns have some immunity to the virus, which is especially important as young children cannot get the vaccine. Learn more about vaccine considerations for pregnant and nursing women.
The vaccine protects against severe illness. During studies, the three authorized vaccines have shown to be effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19. So even if you were vaccinated and become infected, you are very unlikely to become severely ill. The clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines showed they were 100% effective at preventing severe illness.
The vaccines are also effective against the new variants we’re beginning to see circulate, such as the Delta variant. Much like the original strand, all three vaccines will protect you against severe illness and reduce the likelihood for hospitalization. Studies have shown vaccinated people who do get infected have mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 compared to those who aren’t vaccinated. So, your risk of hospitalization and death because of COVID-19 is nearly eliminated once you are fully vaccinated.
The vaccine will help us ditch the mask Evidence suggests that vaccinated people who might be infected with the coronavirus have fewer virus particles in their nose and mouth and are less likely to spread it to others. This finding is important as getting vaccinated now not only protects you, but also limits spreading the virus to loved ones and friends. As more people continue to receive the vaccine, we might reach herd immunity, which means the spread of the virus becomes unlikely. It’s important we all receive the vaccine to help us achieve this public health goal.
The vaccine will help you reconnect with friends and family. Once you’ve received the vaccine and waited the recommended time for your body to build immunity, you can visit in person with other people who have been vaccinated without wearing a mask. Also, if you’ve been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms.