After 34 years of development, a vaccine against typhoid fever was successfully introduced. It took centuries to create a vaccine that could protect against smallpox. It took nearly 30 years to perfect the influenza vaccine, and it was quickly rendered useless when scientists uncovered the wide variety of flu strains.
Although the COVID-19 vaccine was developed in a little over a year, its rapid development has led some to doubt its efficacy. Not everyone has received their vaccinations yet; the global vaccination rate is steadily rising as 70% are already vaccinated. Overall, the world’s getting closer to its pre-pandemic levels.
However, some are still wary of the COVID-19 vaccine, as many don’t fully understand it. This article hopes to provide information that may help you decide whether or not vaccination is right for you.
What Are The Risks Of Getting Vaccinated
Vaccinating against COVID-19 is a good idea because it reduces your risk of contracting the disease and death in the worst-case scenario. After getting vaccinated, you may feel a little off, but that’s a good thing because it means your body is responding to the vaccine and preparing for protection.
Moreover, the COVID-19 vaccination has some potential side effects, but no vaccine doesn’t. Life-threatening risks, though, are uncommon.
Serious adverse effects that can be linked back to the vaccine occur in less than 0.6% of recipients or 6 out of every 1,000. Additionally, only 11% of a million vaccines resulted in an adverse reaction; of those, over 80% occurred in patients with a history of allergic reactions.
Additionally, vaccines can cause some minor side effects in some people. After receiving a vaccine, you may experience some cold-like symptoms or mild fever that characterizes your immune system’s response to the vaccine’s impersonation of the infection. Redness and muscle pain at the injection site are possible side effects.
These are all relatively minor side effects, disappearing after a day or two. Others may be curious and ask themselves, ‘can you have nerve damage from a vaccine?’ The answer is yes and no; if you don’t have any existing nerve injury, then most probably, it’s fine to push through. But if you do have nerve complications, it’s best to coordinate with your doctor.
Other prevalent concerns are the blood clots supposedly caused by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are heavily monitoring. Overall, there are no substantial risks to vaccination. If there are, the best and brightest in the CDC are working hard to prevent harmful possibilities and help improve the vaccine.
Other side effects are pain, headache, chills, fever, and weariness. These post-immunization side effects typically subside rapidly. They’re also much milder than the worst COVID-19 symptoms.
The actual issue that people may have subconsciously is most likely mental which can be alleviated by reaching out to professionals, friends, and family or by gradually taking your time and researching on improving your mental health condition.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting Vaccinated
Concern about getting a vaccine is normal. Despite the COVID-19 vaccine being developed and licensed faster than usual, no shortcuts were taken concerning safety or testing to ensure its efficacy.
The elderly and those with preexisting medical issues are particularly vulnerable to experiencing severe symptoms and possibly death from COVID-19. The best protection against COVID-19 likely comes from a combination of natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Continue reading below on how the vaccine can benefit you and those around you.
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Reduces Your Chances Of Infection
The production of anti-coronavirus antibodies begins soon after the initial vaccination. The likelihood of contracting the disease is decreased because of these antibodies which aid the body’s immune system in fighting the virus should exposure occur. In the United States, you may get your hands on four different vaccines, which all work to protect you from the disease.
Even if you’ve been vaccinated, there’s always a chance you could contract the disease, but that risk decreases due to herd immunity as more people get the shot. Vaccination not only protects the individual from illness but also helps the community by reducing the spread of the virus.
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Helps Protect Against Severe Conditions
Studies have demonstrated that each of the four vaccines (made by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer) is effective at averting severe serious illnesses caused by COVID-19. Therefore, if you are vaccinated and contract the disease, you’ll probably only experience mild symptoms.
The CDC records the vaccination status of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Among those aged 18 and up, the likelihood of hospitalization was 3,5 times higher among those who hadn’t been vaccinated. Unvaccinated 12-17-year-olds had a 2.1 times higher risk of hospitalization than fully vaccinated adolescents.
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Additional Protection For Your Family And Friends
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine also reduces the likelihood of infecting those you come into contact with regularly, allowing you and your family and friends to be safe and not worry about additional precautions to avoid the disease.
These three significant benefits can help you decide whether you want to be on the safe side and protect your family or be wary of the myths. Side effects have been reported, though this is to be expected with any vaccine.
Takeaway
As with any vaccine, there are benefits and risks to getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Study these risks and benefits in this article to help you make a decision for yourself and help those around you as well.
