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Vaccines Facts for COVID-19
COVID-19 is still a part of our lives. By now, we’re all used to wearing masks, social distancing, and washing our hands. These things protect you from the outside. They stop the virus from getting into your body and making you sick. But vaccines protect you from the inside, even if the virus gets into your body.
When you get a vaccine, a dead or weakened version of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease is put into your body. The dead or weakened viruses or bacteria in vaccines won’t cause disease, but your body doesn’t know that. So, your immune system starts fighting them to protect you. This process trains your immune system. Next time the same kind of virus or bacteria enters your body, your immune system recognizes it and responds quickly. Vaccines don’t just keep you safe. Getting vaccinated keeps other people safe as well. If you aren’t sick, you can’t spread the disease to other people.
We know vaccines are safe and work well. The chance of a bad reaction to a vaccine is tiny. For example, only about 1 in a million people have a severe reaction to the measles vaccine. But, the benefit is huge!
Vaccine development takes so long because vaccines go through many rounds of testing. Scientists need to make sure the vaccine works well and is safe. We call vaccine testing on people “clinical trials.” Laws and regulations protect the freedom, health, safety, and privacy of everyone involved in clinical trials.
How to Protect Yourself and Others Against COVID-19
- Keep Wearing a Face Mask, Social Distancing, and Washing Your Hands
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by blocking the virus from getting into your body.
- Consider Participating in Clinical Vaccine Trials
You can help fight COVID-19 by participating in clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine. Testing on people of different ages and backgrounds is important to make sure the vaccine works well for everyone.
- Get the COVID-19 Vaccine When It’s Ready
Getting vaccinated protects both yourself and others.
