As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to more people, there are lots of questions circulating about how the vaccine protects not only the people who get it but also those around them.
Here are five things you should know about COVID-19 vaccine-induced immunity:
1. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective.
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have a 95 percent efficacy rate—a remarkable level of protection. A vaccine this successful in preventing disease is nearly unheard of and is on par with other highly effective vaccines like those for Chicken Pox and Measles, which have nearly eliminated disease in those who have been vaccinated.
2. Experts recommend vaccination, even if you had COVID-19 previously.
Due to severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection is possible, your health care provider may recommend you get a vaccine even if you previously had the virus. Because the virus is so new, currently, experts do not know how long someone has immunity after recovering from an earlier infection. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.
3. It’s safer to gain immunity through vaccination rather than infection.
While it’s true that most people who have COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover, COVID-19 can cause severe illness and some people still have symptoms for months after they are infected. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safer way to build immunity with fewer health risks.
4. You'll achieve full immunity only after getting two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The two vaccines currently available require the recipient to get two doses to reach the 95 percent efficacy. It will take 1-2 weeks after your second dose of the vaccine to reach full immunity. If you get only one of the two doses you will not get the full protection of the vaccine.
5. You will be less likely to transmit COVID-19 to others once fully vaccinated.
It is highly unlikely you could become infected and transmit the virus to others once fully vaccinated. In very rare cases, people who are fully vaccinated can become infected, but may experience less severe illness.
The COVID-19 vaccine will not only safely protect the people who receive it but will also serve as an important tool for the greater good by helping us achieve broad-scale immunization in our communities.
Stopping the COVID-19 pandemic requires using all the means we have available and vaccination is the most effective way to end it.
You can find more helpful information about the COVID-19 vaccine here.