August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). It is a time for people to learn and stay educated on the importance of vaccination. Over the years, the development and advancement of vaccines has progressed significantly, having a positive impact on public health.
Vaccines work by teaching the body’s immune system to safely provide protection against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body. Vaccines are the best protection for many serious diseases. They prevent sever illness and death. Vaccines have saved millions of lives.
Vaccines for COVID-19
Vaccines for COVID-19 are safe, free, and effective. There are many myths about vaccines, specifically for COVID. Stay up to date on current information, regarding the COVID-19 vaccine by getting answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine? The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible.
Should I receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster? Yes, research shows COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness can decrease over time, especially in certain groups of people, such as those 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised.
If booster shots are needed, do COVID-19 vaccines actually work? Yes, all COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe, if they were developed so fast? Yes, all COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Research and development on vaccines has been happening for decades. Steps were taken to ensure COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness, including clinical trials, authorization or approval, and tracking safety using vaccine monitoring systems.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect pregnancy? No. The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
References
1. Califf, Robert M. “FDA Recognizes National Immunization Awareness Month.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices/fda-recognizes-national-immunization-awareness-month.
2. “Frequently Asked Questions about Covid-19 Vaccination.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.
3. “National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 July 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html.
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