By: NATALIA PATTERSON
For over a year, we have been in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, though, the end of the pandemic is in sight, with the vaccine becoming more and more available to different groups of people. While many have already been vaccinated, others are more hesitant. However, there are many good reasons why you or your loved ones should get the vaccine when the opportunity arises.
- Protect Yourself
Getting vaccinated will highly reduce your chances of getting sick with COVID-19. It is shown that the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective at preventing symptomatic infections, and the Pfitzer vaccine is 95% effective. This can be very important if you are elderly or have underlying health conditions, which could cause the virus to have serious effects on your health. However, even if you are healthy, it is impossible to predict what harm COVID can cause. According to the CDC, “COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you.” Even if the virus doesn’t make you sick, it may still trigger reactions in your body that can be harmful.
- Protect Your Loved Ones
Not only will getting vaccinated help to protect yourself, but it will also prevent COVID-19 from spreading to those who live with you. Studies have shown that the vaccine also prevents asymptomatic infections. In a study led by Mike Weekes, an infectious disease specialist at Cambridge University, it was proven that those who have been vaccinated for at least 12 days are four times less likely to develop asymptomatic COVID-19. Therefore, one is less likely to infect their family members if they have been vaccinated. Also, if the spread of the disease is stopped, it will eventually help end the pandemic.
- The Vaccine is Safe
Many people are cautious of getting vaccinated due to concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine. Even so, it is proven that the vaccine is safe. The CDC assures us that the vaccine can not make one sick with the virus: “None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.” In addition, the CDC states that the vaccine does not interact with one’s DNA. In the mRNA vaccine, the injected COVID-19 mRNA instructs cells to create a protein that is similar to that on the surface of the virus. When the cells begin to create antibodies to the protein, the injected mRNA is broken down, and never enters the nucleus of the cell where DNA is stored.
- The Vaccine is Free and Increasingly Available
Governor Newsom has officially announced that, as of April 15th, everyone in the state of California over the age of 16 will be eligible to be vaccinated. Also, many pharmacies will be offering the vaccine, including Costco, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Furthermore, the vaccine is free of charge for everyone, no matter your health insurance status.
- Krispy Kreme is Offering Free Donuts to Those Who Are Vaccinated
Krispy Kreme Donuts announced on Monday, March 24th, that they are offering one free glazed donut every day for the rest of the year to those who have gotten the vaccine. In order to provide proof of the vaccine, you just need to show your vaccination card. Dave Skena, the Chief Marketing Officer of Krispy Kreme, has said, “We all want to get COVID-19 behind us as fast as possible and we want to support everyone doing their part to make the country safe by getting vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to them.” This is another great reason why you should consider getting vaccinated, or should encourage your loved ones to do so.
beniciapaw.com 