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.

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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