Why COVID-19 Vaccination Matters

What percentage of the population needs the COVID-19 vaccine to end the pandemic? It is a common question, but scientists do not know yet exactly how many people will need to receive the COVID-19 vaccination to end the pandemic. However, similar viruses give us some insight—it is likely that between 50-80% of the population will need to have antibodies against COVID-19. But how do they get antibodies against COVID-19?

“When thinking about vaccination, many people believe they are making a decision between getting vaccinated or not getting vaccinated. This is a false choice,” says Raj Govindaiah, chief medical officer of Memorial Health System. “You are actually making a decision on how you will get antibodies to COVID-19. You can get antibodies by getting COVID-19 or by getting vaccinated.”

The CDC offers these important facts about COVID-19 vaccination:

1. Safety is a top priority.
2. You will need two doses to provide the most protection.
3. The CDC is making recommendations on who should get the vaccine first.
4. Vaccine availability will increase in the weeks and months to come.
5. COVID-19 has some mild side effects that are normal—it is a sign that your body is building protection.
6. There is no cost to receive the vaccine.
7. The currently available vaccines are used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and many more are in development and testing.
8. COVID-19 vaccination is just one tool to help end this pandemic. It is vital to continue to cover your mouth and nose with a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance from others and avoid large groups of people.

“When you decide not to get vaccinated, you are choosing to get immunity to COVID-19 by getting COVID-19.  Let’s face it, this doesn’t make sense. The COVID-19 vaccine is extremely safe and much safer than the risks of getting COVID-19 infection,” says Govindaiah.

Experts continue to learn more about natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity related to COVID-19. Memorial Health System is committed to sharing COVID-19 information with the community throughout the pandemic.

Get Up-to-Date COVID-19 Information

For the latest information about COVID-19 visit trusted resources:

• Choosememorial.org/COVID19
• Illinois Department of Public Health Vaccine FAQ
• Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Vaccination

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