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The Auburn Plainsman: Welcome Back
Fall 2021
VACCINES
VACCINE INFORMATION FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS Why should I get vaccine if I’m healthy?
Most young people aren’t being hospitalized, nor are they dying at high rates from infection. But each time a healthy young person gets the virus, there is a risk that they will transmit it to someone who is vulnerable or has underlying health conditions.
Can’t I still get sick even if I get the vaccine? Then what’s the point? Most vaccines aren’t 100% effective at preventing infection, including the COVID-19 vaccines that are available right now, but they do seriously reduce the spread of the virus. What vaccines are good at, though, is preventing serious illness that could land you in a hospital.
Why aren’t the vaccines FDA approved?
Full approval from the Food and Drug Administration is a lengthy process, one that would take too long given the state of the pandemic when they were introduced. All of the vaccines have received emergency use authorization from the FDA, which still requires months of safety data. As of publication, the FDA is working toward full approval of the vaccines.
How do the vaccines work?
The vaccines create an immune response against the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine contains a message from the virus to create a harmless protein unique to the virus, which the body responds to by creating immune cells which remember how to fight the virus. The Aub urn Uni vers ity M edic al C linic
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Do I need to get the shot if I’ve already been infected?
Yes — experts don’t know how long immunity from contracting the virus lasts. Studies have also shown that the vaccine provides a boost in protection to those that have already recovered from infection with COVID-19.
What risks are there to the vaccine?
There are a few risks to every vaccine. One of the most common worries about the COVID-19 vaccine is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. But myocarditis is extremely rare, and you’re actually much more likely to get it from contracting the virus. There is also no evidence the vaccine causes infertility, another common misconception.
Will I have to get a booster shot?
As of publication, it’s unclear whether fully vaccinated individuals will need to get an additional shot in the future to continue to stave off the virus. The process of making that decision requires both laboratory and clinical trial data. Right now, booster shots are not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This information was sourced from the CDC, Auburn University’s COVID-19 website and interviews with representatives of the Auburn University Medical Clinic or East Alabama Medical Center.
