Benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

You may have mixed feelings about getting a COVID-19 vaccine based on what you've heard or your own experiences. It's a personal choice to make to help protect you and your loved ones. When you're making your decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, it may help to learn what medical experts are saying about what to consider. Let's take a look.

Dr. Stephens talks about getting a vaccine and doing our part to help protect each other

Video transcript

It’s my truest recommendation that we all strongly consider becoming vaccinated. Do your part. We can’t do everything for everyone, but you can do your part.

We know that COVID-19 vaccines absolutely save lives.

The biggest reason I wanted to get vaccinated wasn’t necessarily for me. It was for my elderly parents and the people I’m exposed to.

And so when I finally got it, I was like wow, I got it. So I was happy. It was a great thing.

I come across many people who are hesitant.

Historically, the African American community has been somewhat distrustful of the medical community.

The African American community has hesitancy because of a long history of things. All along the way there has been significant disparities and treatment in the African American community.

We’ve had over 500,000 Americans die, and disproportionately African Americans have been in that number.

It doesn’t have to be that way now, we know what to do. This is a new day.

This COVID-19 vaccination is as safe and as effective as possible.

Our scientists and researchers and physicians at the CDC and FDA, I have utmost confidence in them, that they are looking at this with a microscope to make sure that whatever they recommend to us, that is based upon science, and not based upon hearsay, and that they have the studies and so forth to prove it.

I think for everybody, this is a chance for us to move back to some semblance of normalcy, to where we can get back with our family, our friends.

My suggestion is for everyone to get vaccinated. If we all did our part, collectively it would add up and make a huge difference in this world.

What to consider to make the best COVID-19 vaccine decision for you

In the following video, Dr. Donna O'Shea, Chief Medical Officer of Population Health Management, UnitedHealthcare, shares important facts about the vaccines — from what to expect about vaccination side effects and effectiveness to the reasons she decided to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. O'Shea explains the importance of vaccines and what to consider when making your decision

Video transcript

Dr. Oshea: Anyone who can get the vaccine should get the vaccine.

You may not think you need it for you, but what about your loved ones.

You know, I got the COVID-19 vaccine really for two reasons. One, is personal. I don’t want to be sick with COVID and I don’t want my family or friends to be sick either.

The second reason is really around social responsibility. I want to be part of the herd that is going to be immunized, so that all of us can go out, do what we want, when we want it, with the people we want to.

If we don’t have herd immunity, then the Coronavirus virus will continue to infect those without vaccines. So herd immunity is really the way for the world to open up again.

The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are as safe and as effective as possible. In order for a vaccine to be authorized by the FDA, the vaccines have to go through a very rigorous process.

Side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine are really normal signs that the vaccine is working for you. The most common is a sore arm, other side effects may be slight flu-like symptoms. In general they’re over in 24-36 hours.

This pandemic has been hard for everyone. And so when I had an opportunity to volunteer at the public health site in my community, I jumped at it.

I was out there vaccinating people in their cars. And it was a joyous time.

My dream for everyone is that they will get the vaccine and they will hug their family and their friends.

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