With the COVID-19 vaccine now available for free in most pharmacies and medical centers across the country, people currently have the easiest access to protection from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet many are still unsure about the vaccine and the corresponding boosters. To help protect as many people as possible, this brief guide outlines just a few of the many benefits of staying up-to-date on your COVID vaccine. 

3 Reasons to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

1. Lower Chances of Getting Sick

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. Instead of using a weakened or dormant virus to trigger an immune response, as many older vaccines did, mRNA vaccines use a strain of messenger RNA to teach your immune system how to create a certain protein needed to fight the infection. The vaccine uses another specific protein, called a “spike protein” to help your body identify the COVID-19 virus. Armed with this information, your immune system fights back against a potential COVID infection faster and more efficiently. This reduces your risk of getting sick, even if you’ve been exposed. 

2. Less Serious Symptoms

In the event that you do catch COVID after receiving the vaccine, your body is better equipped to fight through the infection. This means that your symptoms will generally be less severe and disruptive, you’re less likely to need to visit a medical center for help, and you’re less likely to have complications afterward. 

3. Lower Chance of Spread

Perhaps most importantly of all, getting your vaccine doesn’t just protect yourself, but it also protects those around you. It makes you more resistant to the virus and less likely to carry it. As a result, you’re less likely to spread the disease to others, and everyone is at a lower risk of facing complications. The more people get fully vaccinated, the safer everyone is. 

If you need to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster, reach out to HDR Healthcare Network in the Bronx, NY. This wide network of health care professionals and facilities is dedicated to offering care no matter your circumstances. Learn more about their vaccine services online, and call (929) 256-5005 to schedule a shot today.