
By TRICARE Communications
FALLS CHURCH, Va., ย ย โย ย Last month, every adult in the U.S. became eligible to get aย COVID-19 vaccine. Weโve missed special moments of togetherness during the national response to COVID-19. Butย vaccination and other precautionsย offers the best path towards safely returning to normal life.
In the recent โGet to Know TRICAREโ podcast episode on COVID-19, Air Force Col. Jennifer Garrison, who is the Department of Defense (DoD) Operation Planning Team Lead for the DoD COVID-19 Vaccine Program, discussed the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the critical role each of us play in ending the pandemic.
โVaccines are the best way to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death due to the virus,โ said Garrison. โEveryone should get vaccinated or it could be the difference in saving a life.โ
If you havenโt gotten your COVID-19 vaccine yet, there are many reasons why you should do so. Here are a few of theย benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccineย from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).ย ย
1. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the most vulnerable in the community.
Vaccination is an effective way to lower your risk of contracting COVID-19. And it will also help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do catch the virus that causes COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can also protect the health of the people around you, including those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
2. COVID-19 vaccination is a safe way to build immunity.
All approved COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 based on clinical testing. Although getting COVID-19 may offer some natural immunity, the CDC states, โThe risk or severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity.โ The COVID-19 vaccines will help your body develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without you having to get sick. And you canโt get sick with COVID-19 from a COVID-19 vaccine.
Take the time to learn more about the safety of the vaccines and facts about them. If you have medical concerns about the vaccines, consult with your doctor.
3. A COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in helping to stop the pandemic.
While wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds, and washing hands frequently help reduce your chance of being exposed to COVID-19 or spreading the virus to others, these precautions arenโt enough. Vaccines are a key tool to help stop the pandemic. Theyโll work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if youโre exposed. According to the CDC, you should continue to use all the tools available to protect yourself and others until youโre fully vaccinated.
If youโre fully vaccinated, you can start doing more. The CDC website includes guidance on what you can start to do. If you still need to get the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the TRICARE website for ways you can make your COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
Take command of your health, and get a vaccine as soon as you can to protect yourself and others. You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and options for finding a vaccine near you on the TRICARE website. If you missed the latest TRICARE podcast episode on COVID-19 or โGot Your 6โ video, be sure to check them out for important vaccine information and updates.
Sign up for email alerts, and keep up with TRICARE and COVID-19 updates.
At the time of posting, this information is current. Visitย www.cdc.govย orย TRICARE COVID Guidanceย for the most current COVID-19 information.
Credits / Original Resource Link:
https://newsroom.tricare.mil/Articles/Article/2606693/3-reasons-why-you-should-get-the-covid-19-vaccine